Whatever they thought (those colonists), I thought it was exhilarating. The sights, the smells, the tastes. Flashes of colors and the mingling of odors. There were fruits, vegetables, and those things of which we always argue are one of the two. Barrels of pasta, lentils, rice. Crates of cigarettes. Mazes of hanging scarves and shirts. Books. Bracelets. People bantering over prices. The concrete pieces composing the ground on which we stood shifting under everyone's weight. It was great. Leftover newspaper rotting in the earth from the rain and from foot traffic.
My host parents, Perumal and Lalida (who are also head of the organization), needed to get some gifts for when they go to Europe, and I wanted to see the place and to look for more Indian clothing. Tamil, another staff member and loyal assistant and friend to Perumal, also came, for which reason I don't know. But he adores Perumal, so he always comes with us to places. I hopped up with Perumal on his scooter, and Lalida on Tamil's. Off we went! I loved the ride. So up and close with the other scooter-peeps, cutting in between buses and tuk-tuks.
(I'm noticing a pattern here. One of my favorite experiences in Italy was riding on a scooter. And my favorite scene in Roman Holiday is the scooter scene. I think this is the universe telling me I need to buy a scooter and create a scooter gang.)
(Another sidenote: A new law is set to begin July 1 saying that all motorcyclists need to wear helmets. I'm not so sure it will be effective here in Pondicherry, where no one wears them. )
At the market, we first said hi to Tamil's "relation" (that's the word used. I think maybe they are cousins?) who works at one of the many fruit stands. As is the usual case when I am introduced to a young man, they become very bashful and giggly, and trade back and forth fast comments in Tamil with the introducing party. I don't know if this because I am a foreigner, because I'm a woman, because people here are normally bashful and giggly like that for introductions, or a mixture of all three.
Either way, afterward Perumal took me to the clothing and material section to buy some tops and scarves. Lalida also purchased a lot of silk ones (worn for colder weather) for her friends in Europe, only after haggling down the cost of course. Then we strutted downtown to buy her new shoes, to hunt down a shirt big enough for Perumal, and to get me a new blanket and towel.
Tamil gets so excited about shopping. He constantly hovers over me, wanting to see my every reaction. He seemed complexed at my frugality. "Sarah, look, look!" He would point to some brushes and combs. "Oh my!" I say, "So beautiful!" "Which one you like?" "Oh ,I don't need them. It's okay." Ha, he would just frown and shake his head. A few moments later he'd whistle to get my attention and show me something else he thought I'd like, such as certain styles of pants, earrings, jewelry, and you name it.
The evening was also great because of the rain. We were not exposed to it too much, being under the tarps of the market stands, but it was refreshing to step out, to look at the sky, and to see rolling storm clouds instead of the piercing sun.
Towards the end of our trip to downtown Pondicherry, Perumal had some work to do at his office for a case the next day. Tamil of course was to accompany him. So Lalida and I collected our bags and took a tuk-tuk home.
BUT, not before they stopped for some coffee. And let me tell you, those worker-guys can sure pour coffee. It was quite the sight to see such a monotonous act made so beautiful and enchanting, and yet in such a simple way. To best mix the tea and/or coffee, they keep pouring it from one cup to another, sometimes holding the collecting cup at knee level and the pouring cup high above their head. Though no one else seemed impressed with it, the sight caught my eyes for more than a few minutes.
Overall, it was a nice outing, and I was glad Perumal got to come.
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