pondicherry and its surroundings
Pondicherry, located in the state of Tamile Nadu, a city where a francophone minority is present. Its colonial past with the East India Company remains rooted in the history of the city. The French Quarter with its French street names and Tamil, sidewalks, disposal of waste water serving the residential part to high property prices, area which remains one of the most expensive in the city.
We will visit the area of Pondicherry.
pondicherry
In this former French colony, the streets are very lively and crowded, a concert of klaxons is permanent. Besides the French Quarter to the colonial houses, you can discover the French School, where one teaches courses in high quality French because when I was in a French bakery of Pondicherry, I'll be served by a young Indian saleswoman speaks in perfect French. I naturally ask her if she has lived in France. She proudly answer me she's never been to France, but she studied at the French Lycée of Pondicherry.
You can find an Ashram is a place where calm prevails, meditating there. But also many churches and Hindu temples.
On the side of the beach you can see the statue of Gandhi. Other areas of the city have sometimes highly colored houses and often their names are given. Others sometimes made entirely of palm leaves.
In the streets of eco-friendly taxis, these pedal tricycles and a little less scooters engine.
I will meet school children in uniform, because the school attended in uniform and each school has its colors.
You can meet cows, sometimes impressive.
Twice I encounter a seller of lemon and each time, he will wear proudly the fruits he collected on the lens of my camera.
I discover the blessing of the vehicles and their drivers by a priest of Pondicherry. And do not forget the famous Indian car, TATA.
The fisherman's wife comes daily to the villa where I am staying. A long negotiation engages every time. Once the price become final, she prepares the fish on the sidewalk. A sample menu tasted homestay yoghurt with onions, fish, beef, snails, tandoori chicken, rice. I dégusterai this meal (traditionally very spicy as in India) deposited on a banana leaf, sitting cross-legged, surrounded by my hosts. Two hours later, my throat was still smoking!
During my stay, this is the time of the festival of lights that lasts nine days. On the road, so I decorated floats crosses on their way to the city. At night, they light up and go around the city. A priest who is on board tanks blesses the people.
Do not miss the Sunday Market! Every Sunday night, traders spread stocks of goods for sale on the sidewalks. Shopping is done from 18 hours.
Visit a factory incense.
its surroundings
Salines of Kadha Pakum :
Courageous workers who, under a blazing sun, braving the heat and the blinding reflection of the sun on the salt mounds, barehanded charge kilos of salt per day for just a few rupees if hard-won.
Despite their meager salaries, they do not ask me for money but a few squares of chocolate, a luxury commodity in India that sells very expensive.
mahabalipuram :
Mahabalipuram is a village famous for its monuments. It is from here that the Pallava dynasty beamed between VIe and VIIIe century.
This site is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1984.
Admire the ball butter Krishna, huge rock that one wonders how it is to stand there.
Here sculpture workshops on granite are numerous.
Auroville :
I also will visit Auroville a town about ten kilometers north of Pondicherry. It was created in 1968 by a French, Mirra Richard, known as the Spiritual Mother companion of Indian philosopher Sri Aurobindo.
Auroville is meant to be, in the words of its designer, the place of a universal community, where men and women learn to live in peace, in perfect harmony, beyond all beliefs, nationalities and political views.
Today, residents of Auroville are from thirty countries and are organized into work units: agriculture, information technology, education, health, crafts, etc.
Baptisms at the temple Pattou pattou :
I will attend a naming ceremony in a forest, which is to shave the heads of children and then apply saffron on their heads to protect them from the sun.
The orphanage :
I will go along with the Indian family who welcomes me in an orphanage to provide food and gifts to orphans. I leave the place upset and admiration of this man somewhat older directing the institution and who dedicates a great love to these children.
