Ponicherry is a blast--and we don't get to go there very often because it is a special weekend trip. Last time we went was in August so we have been very patiently waiting to go again. Needless to say we have been more then a little excited for this rest day because it was our much awaited Pondicherry Trip. We drove the two hours it take to get there, paid the entrance fee to the Pondy Government, had the van drop us off in our usual spot- in front of the Gandhi Statue-and set out for Bakers Street, the french bakery that reminds me of Kneaders. We noticed that a lot of the shops were closed, but didn't think to much of it until we got to Bakers Street and discovered that it was closed as well. "Closed" that is. The owners were still letting a few people in, but he was not having it for our group of six. The survival mode part of me almost ducked under the door and said peace out to the rest of the group because I could feel that I needed food stat, but I was good, held out a little longer, and luckily we were able to find a least one little restaurant that was open. He probably shouldn't of been open either but it was tucked in and away from the street/was pretty much out a view so he risked it/didn't care. Either was, we were SO glad that he was open.
Apparently, the whole town was on strike until 4:00 pm (the time we have to leave) to show their loyalty for the beloved chief minister (they say mistress-probably because she is a woman, but I have a hard time calling her the chief mistress and keeping a straight face) that was thrown in jail last week. On the one hand, at least it wasn't rioting, but it was so frustrating though because literally NOTHING was open. We found the one restaurant and one store--we call it the Indiana Jones Store because the decor and items sold make you feel like you are waiting in line for the Indian Jones ride-but we couldn't find another thing open. We caught a few rickshaws to check around but it was pointless because everything was closed or would open for certain people but not for a group of foreigners. It probably wouldn't have been very safe to sneak into stores anyways though because we learned (after we had turned around to go home) that people can get in big trouble if they are found being un-loyal, which in this case meant being open for business. I don't know what would of happened, but I'm convinced it is best that we didn't find out through experiencing those consequences. It would have been annoying anywhere but to have it happen in Pondy, when we were so excited and don't get to come very often. So basically we drove two hours, got a bite to eat, wandered around aimlessly for a bit and then drove the two hours home. Hopefully we can talk Dr. Susan to letting us into going back sooner then later since this trip went down the drain but who knows.
So here are some pics from the Indiana Jones like store, and a far away picture of the decorated Gandhi Statue--since it was his birthday a few days ago. Happy belated birthday Gandhi!
And that more or less sums up our rest day. Fail.
Apparently, the whole town was on strike until 4:00 pm (the time we have to leave) to show their loyalty for the beloved chief minister (they say mistress-probably because she is a woman, but I have a hard time calling her the chief mistress and keeping a straight face) that was thrown in jail last week. On the one hand, at least it wasn't rioting, but it was so frustrating though because literally NOTHING was open. We found the one restaurant and one store--we call it the Indiana Jones Store because the decor and items sold make you feel like you are waiting in line for the Indian Jones ride-but we couldn't find another thing open. We caught a few rickshaws to check around but it was pointless because everything was closed or would open for certain people but not for a group of foreigners. It probably wouldn't have been very safe to sneak into stores anyways though because we learned (after we had turned around to go home) that people can get in big trouble if they are found being un-loyal, which in this case meant being open for business. I don't know what would of happened, but I'm convinced it is best that we didn't find out through experiencing those consequences. It would have been annoying anywhere but to have it happen in Pondy, when we were so excited and don't get to come very often. So basically we drove two hours, got a bite to eat, wandered around aimlessly for a bit and then drove the two hours home. Hopefully we can talk Dr. Susan to letting us into going back sooner then later since this trip went down the drain but who knows.
So here are some pics from the Indiana Jones like store, and a far away picture of the decorated Gandhi Statue--since it was his birthday a few days ago. Happy belated birthday Gandhi!
And that more or less sums up our rest day. Fail.
