 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leaving the majority of our luggage at the hotel we took a bus along a nice ocean route to Pondicherry and its area that are known for their ashrams. The folks chose one of the guest houses run by an ashram, hoping to get an experience of what it would be like. Instead we found the 'Park Guest House' overlooking the sea to be a large, 3-story complex with spacious rooms. Our room was sparsely furnished - bed, small tables and a couple of chairs along with 2 large photos of an old man and an old lady, who founded the ashram. An Ashram in reality is a system of living - geared to provide for a peaceful community and way of life through yoga and meditation. Unlike us (and a few other couples) who were just there for the guest house part, the rest of the people staying there were followers of this philosophy and some had practically moved in on a full time bases. Even though they prefer to have true believers as residents, the ashram�s policy was not to knowingly turn away people. Mummy sensed that this policy might soon change: while looking at the large photo behind the registration counter, she casually inquired �so is that the guy who started this place?�... She was firmly told .."That is not a guy,.. It is our mother. She is our Guru!...". Oops .. quite the blunder on Mommy�s part! I�m surprised we were not immediately |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
and ceremonially kicked out .... pictures of 'the mother', as she is called and Sri Aurobindo, the founder, are in every room. Various plaques and posters are scattered about as well for the devote to contemplate and reflect upon. Mummy thought it was a bit unnerving, It had a 'cult-like' feel to it. Her skeptical mind was reflecting that after all this Sri guy did in fact become a hermit and let his companion look after things. All he did was meditate in his room and churn out sayings for others to meditate on! Anyway, as the story goes on the 'Mother' as she is widely known, went even further and started to build a community based on his and her visions.
This is how the town of Auroville was born in the late 60�s. A great concept of diverse people living and working together in peace. A new application to be the forerunner of many such places in the hope that eventually this will lead to a peaceful and equal world. All great in theory, thought mummy, and a very idealistic theory at that. But was it working? The folks just had to find out, so the next day we visited Auroville. Located just north of Pondicherry it is a village based on the �kibbutz style living� where people are all equal and share work equally, learning and developing the community as a whole being part of a bigger picture. We viewed the 20 min. video before visiting the community and what we saw differed slightly from the film. Auroville as the new concept was actually over 30 years in practice but yet was decades behind in the construction of its infrastructure. It seemed more like a community of western expats fleeing from it all. Quite noticeable were the fact that the local Tamils were the ones doing the menial labour � quite unfair, if you ask me. Mummy also noticed that one of the countries not represented in this 'India welcomes the world' theme of Auroville was Pakistan! Ironic but quite fitting as the tension between the two countries is historically planted. It is however an idealistic experiment, the key word being experiment! Will it work? and will the world be equal and people have a peaceful existence? Perhaps, but probably not for a long while. |
|
|
|
We ended up spending a few days in Pondicherry. Breakfast at the guesthouse was served just near the surf of the sea with a pleasant early morning breeze. I got to meet and play with a group of local children in our guesthouse�s vast garden. We discovered that schools in town were teaching French and many of the local children were quite fluently. We also spent time enjoying French bakeries, eating Italian style pizza and visiting the local colourful market. Mommy and myself bought shalwa kamises (the typical loose fitting and cool pant outfits worn by Indian women). It was cooler but my favourite part is the dupata (long scarf) which I could fashion in a dozen different ways.....though I prefer dragging it behind me! Pondicherry had a really nice atmosphere, mainly thanks to the many colonial buildings |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
and quiet streets. There�s even a French consulate and cultural centre. The pleasant sea-front boulevard came to life at night when the cool breeze made hundreds of strollers come out, eating nuts or watching other people. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
When we arrived back in Madras a few days later we had quite the surprise awaiting us. We had left Papa's large backpack and the rest of our stuff at the hotel's storage. Unwittingly papa had left some food in there as well next to my 3 stuffed animals. When they opened the pack they were surprised to see the mound of fuzz scattered about. They soon discovered that 'Mickey's' Indian relatives had eaten right through his bag to get to the food! The result was that my 'Canoe Bear' was now short one leg and a whole lot of fuzz! At first they were hesitant to tell me about it but soon they had to 'fess up'... I think I handled it better than my parents did.... and had to convince my folks that it was only a stuffed animal... We have learnt a lot from that particular experience --- one shall not leave food behind, even packets of coffee. ...Stuffed animals can always be patched up, papa's backpack is not indestructible.... and rodents are supersensitive to caffeine and go berserk with fuzz! |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|