Holy sh%t!

Took a bus to Puducherry and thought I was going to die. I left bright and early because I knew travelling anytime after 9am would be sweltering hot and I would be rammed into a bus that technically holds 40 people but would have at least 80 on board. It was quite foggy and it did not dawn on me that visibility would be an issue... No pun intended.

The bus came around the corner and the ticket man was yelling out the door "Pondy, Pondy" so I waved and the bus slowed, yes slowed, not stopped. I hopped on (good thing I travel light) and away we went. Within seconds I realized taking an early start for a seat and less heat meant the horn was honking like mad because the driver had a destination to get to and he had to let all others on the road know he was coming through. OMG! When I realized this I put my headphones in my ears, turned my music up really loud and decided that these men go home to their families at the end of the day so I will get to Pondy safe and sound.



Two hours later I arrived in one piece to a town that used to be colonized by the french and is now more contemporary bohemian than french Provencal. It is kind of new agey here while also being sort of old worldish. Perfect. The town keeps European hours, french is spoken by many, lots of restaurants serve French food (this means cow is on the menu) and the beer is cheap! Ever since I read Life of Pi I have wanted to come here and so far I have not been disappointed. I am staying at Swades Guesthouse and it is lovely. The owner lived in France from age 9-35 so he gets it - there is even toilet paper provided in the washroom that has a toilet bowl brush - that is a novelty to have a clean toilet!! I am going to explore the city for a few days and just hang out now that I am no longer jet legged.