South India and Sri Lanka, First Glance

Chennai

Tamil Nadu, the South Indian state on the Bay of Bengal, includes Chennai, Mamallapuram, Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram. Here marked the start of my 18 day visit to South India and Sri Lanka with Stalin,

Stalin V

a magnificent guide, and six truly experienced travelers. Our trip, so abundant in its events and aromas, its sights and tastes and textures, goes well beyond my ability to document or encapsulate it. One blogpost will certainly not do.

I’m not going to begin with the beauty shots or even the exotica. I’ll start with just a few images and a very few words taken from Chennai’s George Town, an area of dense and intense wholesale, retail and distribution activities. More than the sounds or the smells or the jostling I experienced here, the attitudes–yes! attitudes–I encountered here foretold all my subsequent interactions with folks I’d met or just rub up against in the rush of life in this remarkable tropical world. Everywhere–even in Kerala, the Upper West Side of South India–people were simultaneously humble in their lives and proud of what they did, determined to get things done but willing to pause when pausing was the only–or most desirable–option.

Yes, I’d return in a minute.

Georgetown, Chennai

100 kilos

balanced above his grin–

“I work in George Town!”

Georgetown, Chennai

Age–

and I hope it is not you–

is not me.

Georgetown, Chennai

The English drive on the left

Americans drive on the right

We drive wherever we can.

Georgetown, Chennai

You travel so far

to watch me work—

I am honored.

Published in:

Spirituality

on November 15, 2016 at 4:19 pm Comments (25)

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25 CommentsLeave a comment

On November 15, 2016 at 4:55 pm Goldberg said:

Annie down in Florida said this:

Really close up and personal with your amazing technicolor eyes. xxx

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On November 15, 2016 at 5:31 pm Barbara Kinloch said:

I love the humor in their faces. They are so at ease with themselves.

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- On November 15, 2016 at 5:34 pm Goldberg said:
  
  Well seen, my Sister. There is that very real feeling of people happy to be themselves.
  
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On November 15, 2016 at 5:31 pm Goldberg said:

This wonderful surprise from Margaret, a former co-worker:

Hello Richard!

This is Margaret from Samaritan. How are you? Your recent photos you shared are beautiful!

Take care and hope to talk with you soon.

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On November 15, 2016 at 8:52 pm Goldberg said:

From Terry in DC:

Liked the first batch very much, Dick. Like especially the close head shots.

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On November 15, 2016 at 8:55 pm Goldberg said:

Roland, one of my Australia tripmates writes:

Very nice, thanks Richard.

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On November 15, 2016 at 8:57 pm Goldberg said:

From Tobi:

beautiful !

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On November 15, 2016 at 10:46 pm Goldberg said:

Neighbor Stan says:

You do great work and I love the photos.

Can no longer read stuff though…too old or sump’n.

But keep ’em going.

S

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- On November 15, 2016 at 10:47 pm Goldberg said:
  
  To which I reply:
  
  SKIP THE WORDS. YOU’VE READ THEM ALL BEFORE.
  
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On November 16, 2016 at 8:57 am Goldberg said:

From Connie in Connecticut:

Awesome colorful pictures, Richard. Thanks.

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On November 16, 2016 at 8:59 am Goldberg said:

Again Connecticut, this time Lew:

Dick..it sounds like a wonderful, intriguing trip..as many of your sojourns are. Thanks for sharing the journey.
Respect’

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On November 16, 2016 at 3:26 pm Goldberg said:

From Marianne on the Upper East Side:

Hi,

Love your photos, your eye…communication

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On November 16, 2016 at 3:28 pm Goldberg said:

Mark in Connecticut writes:

GREAT pictures and insight.

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On November 16, 2016 at 3:30 pm Goldberg said:

From Harry in Riverdale:

Hi Richard,

Great pix and really like the haigas.

Best,

Harry

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On November 16, 2016 at 4:23 pm Anonymous said:

Dick, I was blown away by all the colors & the pride in their faces. Thanks for sharing.
Best to you both…Arlene

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On November 17, 2016 at 10:35 am Goldberg said:

From Dennis out there in the Midlands:

That was fun.. great pics

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On November 17, 2016 at 10:36 am Goldberg said:

And Paul in the Lower East Side:

Thank you for letting me look at these many wonderful pictures.
It shows that we miss a great deal if we don’t “inhale” what’s around us.

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On November 17, 2016 at 11:39 am Phoebe said:

What wonderful pictures! All the colors! This brings back so many wonderful memories. We did have such a good time, didn’t we?

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- On November 17, 2016 at 11:46 am Goldberg said:
  
  We truly did!
  
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On November 17, 2016 at 12:58 pm chief276 said:

Great stuff, Rich. The photos are powerful, and the poems are eloquent. I like that third line (you know the one I mean), but, on the whole, I think ending on the grin is the strongest choice. Blessings.

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- On November 17, 2016 at 5:59 pm Goldberg said:
  
  You know I agree. I only wish George Town were as well known as Calcutta.
  
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On November 18, 2016 at 12:30 pm Elvin De La Cruz said:

Beautiful pictures Richard! Keep traveling my friend!

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On November 18, 2016 at 9:04 pm Edith said:

Richard,
Your blog is an illustrated poem about the wonderful people we met throughout this trip: warm and friendly, genuinely happy that we came from far away to share that moment in their life.
Thank you.

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On November 21, 2016 at 2:01 pm Goldberg said:

From Daryl, 2 flights down:

You do a really fine job..kudos…
India… crazy incredible place.. Ive been tp Calcutta,Delhi,Bombay and Goa..
missed Jaipur and Kerala etc…
Best Daryl

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On November 22, 2016 at 9:55 pm Goldberg said:

Great Pic’s

Luis

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