New Blog address

We created a new blog address to reflect my love for two very popular South Indian snacks:
iddy and dosa. Check it out:
http://iddlydosa.blogspot.com/

All new postings will be at the new blog address. :)

The most fun bus ride!

We decided to take a bus from our hotel to Pradeep's uncle's house. Bus 23J from Thousand Lights to Adyar in Chennai. The bus was packed but we managed to squeeze in. I really mean Squeeze in! It was full of young men who were very cheerful. They were singing, whistling, banging on the bus, running with the bus, climbing on the bus. It was so much fun!! Yes! They were climbing on the bus. They made it look so easy and fun. Ah! It was the best bus ride that I have ever taken.

Shopping for Salwar

Pradeep was born in Chennai and still has many relatives here. His uncles wanted us to visit right away to say hello and of course to meet this new mysterious Mexican girlfriend. Of course, I wanted to make a good impression and I wanted to wear my Indian clothes that were in my lost carry-on. A perfect opportunity for shopping!! We found a shop after getting off our fun bus ride. It was a small version of a department store like Macy's. They had children, men and women's clothes, accessories and fabrics. I found three possible Salwars: Cotton of course, for the hot weather; short to long sleeve; nice colors and reasonable prices. One of the three fitted perfectly and it was only 799 rupees , approximately $16!! Apparently is a modern style with the pants long enough to be gathered at the bottom. I will have to take a picture and post it online.
I think I definitely made a good impression on the family. :)

Dubai to India

Ahhh....Chennai has welcomed me warmly. Pradeep and I had a long flight from JFK to Dubai. I managed to stay awake for most of the flight to Dubai watching three films in a row. :) I was able to finally watch Slumbdog Millionaire and Monsters vs. Aliens! The Dubai Airport itself was a great experience with its beauty and cleanliness.



Pradeep warned me that in India, people usually do not stand in lines and he was right. We arrived in Chennai and people started to line up to get through the Swine Flu Check-in Booth (we just had to filled out a form stating that we have no flu symptoms and then they stamp it approving that we are healthy), however after a couple of minutes, the line disappeared and everbody just swarmed to the doors. One must move fast and with the flow.



My luggage did not make it to Chennai. Despite traveling with a carry on, it was too big to fit the standards of a carry on in Emirates airlines. A lady at the Chennai airport, helped us filled a complaint form and took all the information needed to hopefully find my luggage. We arrived to our hotel but our room was not available despite having a reservation and had to wait in the lobby area. Hotel staff must have felt sorry for us so they offered us a small room furnished with a bed and a T.V for us to rest until a room was available for us. After a couple of hours, we were able to get our hotel room We were able to get a couple hours rest to give us enough energy for our first day in Chennai.