January 24, 2001 - When
and How to Visit India.
January 24, 2001 - When
and How to Visit India. |
The Mysteries of India India is a strange and mysterious place. Nothing compares! It is a land different from anything you have ever experienced. But India, is also difficult to get to know... and even harder to understand. Therefore, you need a guide, someone who will show you around and teach you the ways of India. The best guides are the street children of Madras to whom this web site is dedicated. |
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Where to Start? One place to start your visit to India is Madras in the state of Tamil Nadu. Madras (or Chennai as it is now called) is the capital of Southwestern India. It is far away from busy New Delhi or booming Bombay. In some respects, the state of Tamil Nadu is the country bumpkin of India. Even though Madras is the fourth largest city in India and capital of Tamil Nadu, Madras seems like a cow town. In fact, the area where you will probably stay (Triplicane) has dozens of cattle, oxen, and goat dairies hidden from view within a few meters of your hotel. Maybe that is why life in Madras is simpler. Life here is much more like the India before the invasion of the Aryan races (fair skinned) in the north. And definately much more like Australia and Africa which is where India came from. |
When to Go? Unlike the north of India, the weather in southern India is either warm, hot or hot with rain. Winter is never very cold and, therefore, the only time you should visit southern India is December and January. After March, the heat is unbearable with most foreigners who live in India travel abroad until India cools down in November. Because of the extreme heat of India, may people find it easier to live on the streets rather than in houses that can become over 120 degrees Fahrenheit in summer. So, it is not just poverty that keeps 1.5 million people on the street in Madras, it is the weather. (Right - The tailor outside of Broadlands Lodge.) |
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Where to Stay? When backpacking in India, most travelers will start or end their visit by staying in Madras at a hotel called "Broadlands" in Triplicane, a suburb of Madras not far from the beach. Outside Broadlands are usually some street kids kids. Because they talk to westerners every day, they are slightly more in tune with talking to visitors from the USA or Germany. You can learn a lot from these kids. This web site was written to show you how to meet these kids and to learn how these street kids can help you understand India. And in return, perhaps you can help them! (Left - The school guard at Mumtaz' school.) |
The Real India When you think of India, you have definite images of the country and the people. However, you are wrong. What westerners think of as India is actually the India of the North ...which has been greatly influenced by continual invasions of foreigners. In reality, the Indian continent is simply a piece of Africa which, along with Australia, broke off from Africa about 5 million years ago. After floating around the ocean for four million years, India eventually crashed in China... while Australia continues to float away from Africa. Southern India remains a piece of Africa and Australia as you can see from this autorickshaw driver shown right. |
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Old... but is it really Indian? |
Touring India There are three ways to visit India 1. Most people rush madly from one historical sight to the next without realizing that most historical sights in India were built by invaders or people brought into India, willingly or unwillingly. From the Taj Mahal to the ancient Indian temples, none of these structures were built by Indians. They are all built by people from other cultures and other beliefs. 2. Some people go to India to visit an Ashram. This is an exotic way to get away from home and yet still be surrounded by people from Europe and America. It is a fun experience... but has little to do with India. 3. I think the best way is to go to India, sit in one place and let India come to you. When you visit most countries, it is difficult to get to know the people without a home stay. In India, there is little opportunity for that (despite what the government tourist agency says.) This is why it is so important to get to know the street people who are very open to accepting visitors into their activities. If you are cautious and proceed slowly, the experience can be very rewarding. |
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Stay With The Kids So why not just spend your time in Madras visiting with the kids. You will learn more about the real India than by traveling around the country. Actually, I still saw lots of India. I kept my room in Madras and took 1, 2, or 3 day trips to other parts of India. That way, I always had a place to come home to. Then when I needed help, I can always count on the kids. |
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