On July 5, we said our goodbyes to our wonderful hosts in Nepal and headed to Chennai for our good friend Kamesh's wedding. A little back story here too... Before my first trip to India 2 years ago, I met Kamesh. He and I have formed a great friendship over the past 2 years and there have been several jokes/conversations about me going to his wedding. These conversations would normally end in, "Ok Kamesh, since you will be getting married in India!". Well, as our group began to plan this trip to Nepal and India, Kamesh got engaged. And then they set a wedding date... for while we were going to be in S. Asia.... right in the middle of the trip dates. Kamesh and his family offered to help us with the costs and our 2 week trip became and almost 3 week trip so that we could be at Kamesh's wedding!
The sky when we landed. If I remember correctly, it had been raining.... or maybe that was just wishful thinking since it was so humid! Once we landed we headed to the hotel and got settled in our rooms. After a short rest, we geared up to go to dinner. We ate at a restaurant called The Farmhouse. We all agree that it is our new favorite Indian food restaurant... if only it was a little closer! After dinner, we all called it a night. A side note: The hotel we stayed at (Centre Point Hotel) had the best beds... nice and fluffy! It made for a good night's sleep!
Sunday morning we woke up and got ready for a day of sightseeing. Kamesh's cousin, Madhu, and our friend Charu were our guides... and they did a great job! Up first was this Herpetology site full of crocodiles!
Our group with Charu
Y'all, there were more crocodiles there than I've ever seen!!
And they sleep like this.... waiting for something (or someone) to just fall in!
This "kind" guy decided taking this snake (I think it was a boa constrictor) out of his cage was a good idea. I did not!
BIG turtles! They posed perfectly for pictures without ever moving. :)
As we left, this guy was selling coconut water. Since I someone (who shall remain nameless, but was seen in the City of Joy) drank my coconut water while I was seeing patients during my last trip to India, Madhu and Charu were nice enough to treat us to some.
For a girl who does not like coconut, the coconut water was actually very good and refreshing!
After the herpetology, Madhu and Charu took us to the beach! It was so beautiful. I could have stood there forever and listened to the waves roll in. Soo relaxing. And how seriously cool to be able to go to the Bay of Bengal?! This might have been may favorite part of the day.
We waded out into the water
Only to be hit from behind by the waves. At least it was funny!
Sned, Jenny, me and Lance at the Bay of Bengal
And here is what our fearless guides looked like while we made fools of ourselves enjoyed ourselves in the water
Dirty feet after being in the water. There was so much sand all over us!
Then we went to lunch at this little hole in the wall authentic Indian place. I can't remember the name of it, but it (of course) was amazing food. We all used our hands to eat this meal!
Next up was Mahalbalipuram (say that 3 times fast!)
Mahalbalipuram dates back to the Tamil Pallava dynasty in the 7th-9th century. The structures here, mostly carved straight out of granite, are among the oldest existing examples of Dravidian (South Indian) architecture (travelwiki).
First we went to the 5 rathas. The stonework was amazing!
I think delirium started to set in about this point in the day... and the picture taking kinda went down from here!
Just hanging out....
This is a bamboo tree. As you can tell, this tree was strong enough that we could swing from it. So fun!
This is a bamboo tree. As you can tell, this tree was strong enough that we could swing from it. So fun!
Shore Temple (another part of Mahalbalipuram).
We learned that this was not just a crazy goat that couldn't decide if he wanted to sit or stand, but that this is normal for goats... and we all had a good laugh at it!
This time Jenny and I were the tourist attractions. I can't tell you how many people asked us to be in their pictures this day!
Once we finished at Shore temple, we went back to the hotel to get ready to go to Kamesh's reception. In Hindu culture, apparently the reception occurs prior to the wedding.
When we got to the reception/wedding hall, they took us all up to see Kamesh! Here he is all ready to go meet his bride-to-be!
And here we are trying to convince Kamesh to join in on our crazy picture taking.
Kamesh and Mythili at the reception. I LOVE the smile on his face!
While some people were going through the receiving line to see the happy couple, some of us went upstairs to eat. This was some of the best food we ate and there was a never ending supply of it!
Here we are congratulating them.
To round off the evening, Jenny and I had henna placed on our hands. This picture is funny because we took one similar to this 10 days before we left in my apartment after some friends applied henna to our hands. This picture is taken when we have 10 days left in the country.
Monday morning we woke up (VERY) early to attend the marriage ceremony. There was alot of ritual that we didn't understand, but the picture above is Kamesh tying the knot of a necklace around Mythili's neck. If I remember accurately, this is when they are officially married!
Love the smiles because most Indian's don't smile for pictures
Pictures with the happy MARRIED couple!
Me with my Indian family. Its Kamesh and Mythili, his parents, his brother (Balaji) and me.
Jenny and I in our Sarees
This saree is special because it was given to me by Kamesh and his family. How neat that I got to actually wear it to his wedding!
Once we were done at the wedding, Madhu once again took on the role of tour guide and took us to see St. Thomas's church in Chennai.
And just like that our time in Chennai was over. Madhu and Balaji took us to the airport where we said our goodbyes and boarded our flight for The City of Joy!
One more side note: God is so good! I still marvel over the fact that Kamesh and Mythili "just happened" to be getting married at the same time we were already in the country. Words cannot express my gratitude to Kamesh and his family, Mythili and her family, Madhu, Charu, Balaji, and everyone else who went out of their way to make it fun for us! Kamesh and Mythili, if you read this.... thank you for allowing us to be a part of your special day. Know that we are all praying for you two as you start your married life together! (Now, could you please move back to Dallas so I can see you again!)
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