I visited two orphanages about volunteering today, since I haven't been able to travel yet. Unfortunately, the children here are on vacation until June so there are only a few children at the orphanges. Many of the children in the orphanges are orphans following the tsunami and they return to their villages for a short time to visit people in their villages, even though their parents are deceased. I might be able to volunteer during the last week I'm here...we'll see what happens.
After the school day ended, a representative from the travel agency picked me up. I didn't know until I got outside that I would be riding on a motorcycle and the trip was over 30 minutes...I thought for sure that I was going to die...this was not the type of adventure that I was hoping for while visiting India. The driving here is...well...I guess you could compare it to driving in New York, but it is worse than that, if you can imagine. I am thankful that we arrived safely!
My motorcycle driver...
I met the travel agent at his house and finalized the plans for two trips...yeah! :) He then took me on his motorcycle to visit a few tourist places in the area. We went to a Hindu temple (I didn't go in because I didn't want to take off my shoes...You must take off your shoes before you enter a Hindu temple, so I will remember to take socks with me next time to put on...I don't want to be barefoot).
The Hindu temple and pool...
Then we went to a christian (Catholic to be more specific) church (The International Shrine of St. Thomas Basilica).
Trivia...Did you know that there are only three churches in the world that are built over the tomb of an apostle of Christ...at least that's what it says on the wall in St. Thomas Basilica...Where are they and who are the apostles? Do you know? The answer...National Shrine of St. Thomas Basilica in Chennai India; St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy; and Santiago De Compostela (tomb of St. James) in Spain.
Finally, just a note about culture again...below is a picture of one of the custodians at my mom school...this is how they clean the carpet...
That's it for now...
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