Leaving Chennai

As I sit to write there is a big cow placidly grazing the trash right outside the internet cafe which has been my primary link to the Western world. Where else but India???

Today was our last full day in Chennai and we went on a shopping spree at the Government Emporium. All the items are handcrafted in villages across the country and are certified to be free of child labor. They support economic development in poor areas, so it is a great place to shop and the variety and beauty of the crafts was staggering. I wish i had about 10 more suitcases to fill!!!! But alas - I had to restrain myself.

I finally figured out the purpose of the stall next door to the internet cafe. I would see everyday a man behind a 3-sided blue wooden structure and there would be a few articles of clothing. I finally realized that he stands there and irons clothing. He uses a massive iron that opens up for him to place hot coals inside of...just like the good old days before electricity. As I peered into his stall from the internet side I saw a large stack of perfectly pressed and folded laundry. I guess it's a living.

I know these lists will be woefully incomplete, but:

Things I have seen carried on the head:

• huge load of laundry
• gigantic water jug
• bundle of dry tree branches
• bundle of branches with green leaves
• enormous bag of rice
• humongous bag of undetermined contents

As another cow strolls by...

Things I have seen transported by/sold from bicycle (essentially a mobile store):

• aluminum pots
• toys/masks
• bananas
• sugar cane
• other fruits and vegetables
• fresh coconuts (which grow everywhere here)

I will try to keep adding to these lists. Somebody just biked past with a huge box about 4 feet square. There goes another cow. I am looking at a banana tree. What a place!