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INDIA

1/29/2017

5 Comments

 
I've been in India for 5 days, but haven't been able to post until now.  During my first day in Dubai,  I developed a painful condition that affected both eyes, which seemed to be worsening.  I'd hired a guide to show me the city, but after about an hour I asked if she could find me a doctor.  Within 5 minutes I was walking into a modern medical building that was a specialist urgent care facility, and within 15 minutes I was being examined by a London-trained opthalmologist.  She diagnosed scratches on both corneas and ulcers inside my eyelids, likely caused by an allergic reaction to something sprayed inside the plane on my long flights - not to mention the significant polluting dust that hangs in the air everywhere in Dubai.  I was given an arsenal of eye medications which have very slowly brought things back to normal, but I simply couldn't even look at a computer screen until today.

I'll offer some highlights of this trip as I have time, starting with the following:
​I began my India trip in Chennai, the 4th biggest city in India.   It’s in the region of Tamil Nadu, in the south of India, stretching between the Coromandel Coast in the east to the forested Western Ghats (mountains) in the west.  It was the cradle of ancient Dravidian culture where Chola kings built spectacular temples.  Tamil is the language spoken here, and Tamil people are proud of their culture, customs, dance, music, and food, all of which are unique to this part of India.
 
Our talented and well-educated guide is Anuja Skaria, who was born & raised in the south of India.  She wears traditional Indian 3-piece Punjab outfits, has an excellent command of English and is a delight in all ways.  She seems dedicated to enhancing our understanding and appreciation of the fascinating culture of southern India by treating us to the main sights, but especially offering us poignant experiences that aren’t on most tourist itineraries.
 
Our calm driver who pilots us skillfully past all hair-raising and fast-moving road obstacles (cows, tuk-tuks, other buses, motorcycles, pedestrians, dogs, and more) is Paneer.  His kind and ever-smiling assistant is Selvan, who serves us cold bottled water, snacks, and squirts of hand sanitizer.  Both men will guard our bus nonstop for the duration of our trip, even sleeping inside on the floorboards during the night.
5 Comments
Kelly Gray
2/4/2017 06:49:48 am

Your observations and brilliant recounting are so wonderful I can almost smell, hear and taste along with you! Thank you.

Reply
Susan Lisenby
2/4/2017 07:39:34 am

I was worried something was wrong when you did not post for several days. So happy the problem was resolved. Your description of India brings it to life! Can't wait for the photos!

Reply
Judi Stauffer
2/4/2017 08:52:24 am

So good to hear again from you ... and that your eye scare was attended to quickly and seemingly very professionally. Your beautiful narratives make me want to move India up my bucket list! Keep them coming as you have time!

Reply
Cynthia link
2/4/2017 06:16:36 pm

Oh, I'm so glad you were able to receive good care for your eye problems and you're okay now. Apart from that, the trip sounds wonderful! You're so lucky to be able to see so many amazing places with an insightful, educated guide and a calm, protective driver. (Now I'm wishing that I was traveling with you.) Savor the sights and sounds of this rich culture, take lots of pictures, and thank you for sharing your stories with us in your eloquent way. I hope you come back feeling rejuvenated and inspired. Thinking of you and sending lots of love.

Reply
Intrepid Crow Girl link
8/23/2023 10:02:50 am

Thank you for shaaring this

Reply



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    It's said that life is about the journey we take more than the destination, and although my entries here are mostly about destinations, they also  reflect some of my inner journeys that happen along the way.


    "I cannot be awake, for nothing looks to me as it did before. Or else I am awake for the first time, and all before has been a mean sleep."     
                             - Walt Whitman

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