Day 2, Part 1

India Time: 6:57 AM (June 26, 2013)

CST: 8:27 PM (June 25, 2013)

Last night found us in another rickshaw on our way to dinner.  We went to a more "international" restaurant where we were able to get burgers and fries, pasta, as well as traditional Indian cuisine.  Their menu also included a four minute challenge, which Nathan immediately accepted as his own.  It can with a three patty burger, a plate of fries, ice cream and a coke.  After three minutes and thirty seconds, Nathan decided he wanted to enjoy the food (and still had a plate of fries left).  ;-)  The video will come soon!  Chennai was much busier last night.  Lots more cars on the road and many more shops open.  (Makes sense since it is so warm during the day).  

We were up at 4:15 this morning to make our way to Chennai Central train station as we head north to Nellore.  Our bus ride took us to another part of the city.  Some areas were more developed with taller office type buildings.  We also drove by the beach where the tsunami hit in 2004.  There were people everywhere this morning; most of them sleeping.  There were drivers sleeping in their rickshaws, even people just sleeping on the streets.  We caught a few groups of joggers and have noticed a bit of a contradiction in traditional Indian culture with a western clash.  It's a sign of prosperity for someone to carry more weight.  In fact, Pastor Ohlmann pointed out that when a woman runs for political office they photoshop her to look plumper rather than skinnier.  We have noticed multiple billboards for a more fit lifestyle though, so it's been interesting to watch that culture "shift."  (Though where we've been, I haven't seen anyone who is large).  Billboards are also interesting.  It's funny to see where things are in English (hospital posters, fashion shops, beauty advertising, matchmaking services, and restaurant menus) and where things are in Hindi (train station, some restaurants, political advertising, and some street signs).  A lot of the billboards that advertise for services and products in English seem to also use western models (especially the fashion ones).

The train station was another adventure.  Apart from the airport, it's probably been the most people I've seen anywhere at one time.  Chennai certainly isn't a touristy city, and apart from at the airport and Matt and Vanessa, I haven't seen any other westerners.  The train station also had people sleeping all over the place.  A few of us got donuts for breakfast and we stocked up on water for the day.  I guess we were riding in coach, but it's not the "lowest coach" (meaning that there is still A/C).  :-)

A big difference from the US is that I haven't really seen any grocery stores.  I asked about that yesterday and apparently, people just eat out a lot more.  Some of that is their proximity to work from home, some of that is the ability to keep food made at home fresh during the day.  I suppose when you're able to feed twelve Americans for 1200 rupies ($24.00) you can't eat much more cheaply at home.  

~Becky Haddad