Arrival - Chennai and Pondicherry

      So I survived the crazy flight! Seven and a half hours to Brussels, Belgium; Two and a half hour layover; and finally a nine hour flight into Chennai. I heard from many people that the smell would be the first thing to hit you but surprisingly I did not find this. The smell did take some getting use to but it was the heat that has taken a while to get use to. Learning to be sweaty all the time. Anyways I arrived around midnight in Chenai (their time) and we all went back to the hotel and all tried to go to bed. Breakfast was provided the next morning by the hotel. It was definetly not your traditional breakfast. I have found that there was not been a ton of difference in food between breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Chennai was a loud and busy city. We went to a fort that was built by the East India Trading Company and after headed across the road to the beach. To get to the fort we took rickshaws which was a crazy experience in and of itself. I have since taken many rickshaws and it is a great way to see a city in a short amount of time. We only had the day in Chennai and around 3pm headed to Pondicherry. I am currently in my second and last day in Pondicherry. Pondicherry is an amazing city with great french history. While here I saw a lot of the town by walking and richshaw. Had some french food and Indian. Almost was blessed by an elephant and experienced my first Ashram (amazing, anyone interested in yoga would be jealous). A group of us had drinks at "le cafe" on the Bay of Bengal and are currently accessing the free internet in an amazing restaurant on the veranda. Internet cafe's have been very small and unreliable. A good amount of people in my group purchased internet sticks so hopefully I will continue to have the ability to post frequent updates. I am having a great time and it was nothing that I expected. India is such a diverse country in arcitecture and culture. Can't believe it has just begun. Sorry I am unable to respond to posts but I appreciate them! Tonight we will be on a overnight train and I am a bit nervous but it will be another experience. I will try and keep in touch as much as I can. Thanks for reading :) 

And A Happy New Year

January 1st 2012? I can't believe another year has already past. In approximately 30 hours I will be sitting in Pearson airport getting ready to head out. I leave from Toronto and head to Chennai with a layover in Brussels. I have been packing my travel backpack and a carry-on and realized I have no idea how to pack for a 4 month trip. I have decided to pack what I can, try and remember everything, but in the end all I need is my plane ticket, passport, and money. I don't know if anyone has seen the headlines concerning India recently, but it has given cause for my parents to continue to worry. Chennai was hit by cyclone Thane that resulted in a number of deaths and a lot of structural damage. May have been uprooted from their homes and villages and relief is needed. India's cyclone season traditionally lasts from April to December so no need to worry. Being in this area right after the destruction of the cyclone will be an experience in and of itself. I am very excited, anxious, and nervous for this trip. It is well structured and has run for many years by the University of Guelph. I am going with a great group of people who I hope to better get to know. I hope everyone has an awesome new year, try and keep those resolutions, and I will see you when I return.