I AM HERE!
I am in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu in the southern tip of India. I left Portland Jan. 7 at 11am. After 28 hours in flight through Chicago, Frankfurt and Mumbai, I landed in Chennai where I was met by Dass of Projects Abroad. There was time for breakfast and a four hour rest at the New Victoria Hotel before we caught an 8-hour train south to Madurai. We were met at the station by a taxi driver in a classic Ambassodor car. He took us two hours further south to Sivakasi. I was in my room soon after 10:30pm on Jan. 9. It was 9:15 am in Oregon. My suitcase arrived three days later. So, now - I am here.
My room has two twin beds, a wardrobe and a three-shelved metal stand I'm using as an end table. A mirror and sink with cold water tap are in one corner. Across from them is the bathroom with a Western toilet, cold water shower and cold water tap. A TV is mounted high on the wall facing the beds. The arm of the mount makes a good place to hang drying clothes. A fan above the beds creates a breeze which is cooling and helps keep the mosquitoes away. There is also a mosquito repellant plug-in. Three sets of windows and light paint make this a light-filled room.

The Projects Abroad building is located between two small side streets. There is a doorman on duty at all times. Here he is reading the morning paper. (On the right you can see a sand painting on the road. Today is Pongal, a celebration of harvest. The bright paintings at entrances are part of the celebration.) My room is on the second floor of this building as is the Projects Abroad local office. There are more rooms and the International Projects Abroad office on the third floor. The Sivakasi Times, a newspaper, is on the fourth floor. They have a small library of English novels. Our cafeteria is on the fifth floor. Yes, once again I will not be fending for myself. Here are three of the cooks who prepare our meals three times a day.
One more floor up you can step out on the roof. I've joined the yoga class that meets there. At 7pm you will find us under the stars stretching and breathing our way to better health.

I took this picture from the balcony outside my room. I'm looking down the side street in back of our building toward the busier street. Through the wires you can see cows feasting on sugar cane leaves. The sugar cane and feeding cows are part of the celebration of Pongal. Neither are normally at this corner.
Across the street from this corner is the Internet shop I'm using. It's Rs 20 ( 50 cents) for an
an hour. Some people wonder why I still have dial up at home. It's so I'm happy in establishments like this. So...this is the corner where I will be for the next two months. I'm adjusting to the noises and ways of doing things. Just some examples.... the woman next door is often up at 4:30 when she begins handwashing clothes and preparing meals. She soon turns on the music she loves to work to. ....I now know that the bells I often hear are vendors on bicycles with milk, ice cream and other goods. .....At meals we are often given silverware, but I am getting used to eating rice with sauces as finger food. And I'm getting used to using the fingers of only my right hand while my left hand stays in my lap, even when tearing tortilla style bread. ...Drivers here use the best side of the street whenever possible. When that's not possible they will veer to the left as that is the appropriate side to be on. .....When pronouncing local names the letter a is given a short u sound. ....And a circling wobbling head means "yes." Adjusting to this gesture has made me realize how often we nod and they wobble. We're such agreeable people!