Settling into India
It's been over a week now since I arrived in
Chennai and it's gone so quickly! I've settled in to my homestay with Sarah and Chandra, the maid, both lovely people who have made me very welcome. The food is excellent and they have taken it upon themselves to see that I leave a few stone heavier than when I arrived - I was told off for refusing a third plate of curry, and if I don't have a three-course breakfast I'm told I "haven't eaten". Last night Chandra locked me in on my own, I think accidentally, but as there was a mighty thunderstorm raging I didn't mind too much. It's hard enough to get used to having a maid who does everything, from cooking and cleaning to pouring the water during meals, but it's most difficult to get used to her sitting on the floor and sleeping on a cardboard box.
Chennai is brilliant; everyone is very friendly and curious, especially the kids! They love saying hello and “high five!” and they will go to school and be the envy of all their friends as they high fived a white man! The auto drivers are nasty, charging double what it should be and then double that – you can either be strict with them and haggle like mad, or walk! The pollution is often choking, especially over the ‘river’, where the stench of the water mingles with the clouds of heaven-knows-what coming from the buses struggling up the hill over the bridge. The heat doesn’t help! It’s rained every night that I’ve been here. It’s interesting that so many people have a job – in a country of 1.1 billion that’s no mean feat – even if it’s just opening a gate or running a stall at the side of the road to sew buttons on shirts.
Work is going quite well. I knew I would have to make my own work as they are very much about new ideas, so I’ve put together a list of 13 projects to work on, from keyboard lessons to orchestral arrangements and choral workshops. I’ve also got several concert ideas I’ll be working on and promoting for the Center’s Friday concerts.
One week gone already, the time’s going to fly by!