Screening

Just exactly how are they doing it at Menik Farm?*


*Serious question I swear...

Shallow

Is not something I'd say that I am.

But yesterday a hot guy who I thought was younger than me (which would have made it wrong for me to think about him in any attraction respect) and then actually found out that he was/is older than me played football with my sibling.

And not only being attractive (Phew!), he drives a very very nice looking car. I don't know enough about cars but even my brother was impressed!

Not that this makes a difference but why is it that guys with nice cars (even if they are not that attractive) become just that lil' bit more so?!*

*Shallow? Moi?!

India - Finally!

I did manage to keep some kind of daily journal whilst I was there but rather than expose you to my (crappy) handwriting, I'm going to type it out. It'll be in a few parts so if you are remotely interested - please try and read them in order in the hope that they'll make some sense!

"Never again" I vowed to myself about 14 years ago. Never again will I travel on this bloody airline but what to do when they offer the cheapest fare to your destination of choice?! In times of credit crunching, you can't afford to be picky right? And so the journey begins at London Heathrow airport (LHR) with the captain announcing that there'll be a 45 minute delay due to air clearance (or something that sounds remotely aeronautically technical!) over Brussels!

I inwardly groan at the fact that I am putting myself through this again (my first experience with this airline started with a 5 hour delay!). As the plane finally takes off, I consider the journey that lays ahead of me - dosas, temples and a country that closely resembles SL. The flight itself is uneventful - a lil' turbulence to scare me slightly, the food leaving a lot to be desired and Krispy Kreme donuts purchased at LHR that I am thankful for!

Now ours was not a direct flight. Hell that's why it was so cheap! (LHR - Mumbai - Chennai) So imagine my concern when the captain announces a delay in landing - especially since we have another flight to catch!

Disembarking from the plane at Mumbai, the first thing that hits me (quite literally!) is the smell - it's not good! After that, it's the sense of panic that we might miss our connecting flight. This is clearly the same feeling as many of the other passengers leaving the plane who are barging past me with their hand luggage. Some that resembles the size of my hold luggage!!

The organisational skills of staff at Mumbai airport leave me somewhat bewildered (no point getting stressed!). I am very British in my ways - queuing is not beyond me yet as a Tamil, I know what to expect amongst other South Asians. I felt very sorry for the Caucasian people who were on their first trip to the country!

With 15 minutes until the departure of my connecting flight, I make it to the boarding gate. I get on the bus thingy that is going to take me to the aircraft. The temperature outside is apparently 30 degrees (I landed at 2:30 in the morning!) so I'm aghast as to what it might be during the day! I stand on this bus for about half an hour roasting as more and more people are piled on. BUT far from being stressed or annoyed, I'm loving it!

Our flight to Chennai leaves 45 minutes after our scheduled time and we manage to safely arrive at our final destination. A further 40 minutes as our temperatures are scanned by a scary looking gun type thing (36.6) in a bid to contain swine flu. And finally I manage to collect my bags and leave Chennai airport.

Apologising profusely to the driver who's come to pick us up, I soak in the lights as we drive to the hotel. As competent as I am in Tamil, the difference between South Indian Tamil and the Jaffna Tamil spoken at home left me asking him to repeat what he was saying at least twice! I agree to whichever hotel he suggests seeing as all I wanted some sleep.

I am clearly a closet freshie at heart because nothing (except the smell slightly) seems to faze me!

The first two days are spent exploring Chennai and it's surrounding areas before we start our crazy temple tour.

The highlight for me is Mahabalipuram. The ancient rocks carvings with such intrinsic detail leave me somewhat in awe.

Apologies for all the text and lack of photos in this post. The next few will be photos and less text!

Uncomfortable...

Is when you re-meet someone you've met in passing (an acquaintance/friend of a friend) and they hug you for far much longer than they need to!

Is when you've had a date that went well but with no spark and the guy tries to kiss you and you have to try and politely brush him off.

Is when your hot neighbour constantly asks you out every time he see you and you start to run out of excuses.

Is being caught in the middle of friendship crises.

So yeah, I had a date, my hot neighbour is just not letting it go, my friends are being lame and I was caught up in a rather uncomfortable hugging moment!

Feel free to add your own!

And Gutter: I am going to get around to it - I promise!

iPhone

I have one and I don't really know how to use it!

It's all very technical and the manual they give you with it is SHIT!

Technology is moving so damn fast and I am getting left waaaaaaaaaaaaay behind!

Tags that make you think

There is something to be said about the "tag-fests" that ensue within my lil' blogging world. As much as I love being tagged (the sense of inclusion), it makes me think faaaar more than I want to!

Thank you to Santhoshi and Dili for tagging me - here goes!

Love is:

• A comfortable silence.
• Playing Guitar Hero with siblings.
• Tears with no explanations.
• Your male best friend texting you every other day whilst you are away asking when you're coming back!
• Always being your parents' little girl.
• No morning after regrets on a wild night out with your best friend.
• Holding back the hair and back rubbing as you throw up after a wild night out!
• Late night pillow talks.
• 1 Corinthians: 13

And let the tag fest continue (if you've already been tagged - apologies!):

Kalu, Gehan, Zé Doc and Rine.

Cliques

No matter how hard you (I) try, you (I) just won't ever be a part of it.

Their loss.