We're here!!!

The air is made up of different smells that are all uncommon in New Zealand. Incense, delicious food smells that make you want to eat even if you're not hungry, animal stench, urine and human feces, jasmine garlands, diesel fumes, and more unidentifible delights for the nose!

After about 36 hours of zombie travel at airports and in planes we have finally arrived in Chennai!

We took a local train (yes Supriya we did it :) ) into town and chose a hotel near the train station in the suburb of Egmore.
The train was packed (and had no doors!, kind of like a cargo carriage for goods and animals) with commuters and at each stop more people got on than got off. We stayed safely near the door for an easy exit and observed the burbs outside. One backyard had a woman with about six cows, which were big and brown or white. And I realised that she must be taking care of them as they are sacred in Hindu families.

Prices were a little inflated from what the lonely planet had told us but we chose an acceptable room for RS.420.
Between bursts of powernapping during the hottest parts of the day we ventured into the streets and had some delicious masala dosai at one of the corner cafes. Yum!!
Eating with our fingers is a bit of a challenge and only the right hand makes it even more difficult especially when the plate starts to get a mind of its own ;)

We managed to get enough sleep (although the mosquitos had a feast on my back and all over Miriam too) and are now on Chennai time...

Here is a typical little kiosk. We have bought three newspapers written in english and two maps from these kinds of shops. Also tried some bananas and grapes from a fruit seller. No Delhi belly yet!, but Miriam did have to run to the toilet at one point....but luckily it didn't last.

Right now we're sitting in a cramped little internet cafe (Miriam is half in and half out and I'm typing for both of us) and walking to another suburb of Chennai (Triplicane) to find another place to stay for the night.