Liz in India - Day 7

We arrived in Madurai at 7. 30 am after our night on the sleeper train. We all felt relatively well rested and the toilets were far less distressing than we had been expecting. John Samuel from the Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary met us and brought us back to the college. Our rooms seemed comfortable with beds, ceiling fans and en suite western toilet (with roll) and cold showers.

There is a tap which gives hot water for scooping out with measuring jugs so it is possible in combination to get a decent wash – it’s amazing how one redefines luxury. We decided a big clothes wash was in order so I volunteered to do a few items for all. Unfortunately the combination of bare legs and splashing water resulted in 20 bites around my ankles which have evoked an allergic reaction and are blistered. It is most unpleasant and given it was morning - they were most unexpected.

We ate breakfast and toured the grounds of the college- a beautiful campus with good housing for training priests and their families and a few projects. We enjoyed a good lunch and then slept for a few hours before venturing into Madurai by small coach which has been booked for us to facilitate this part of our journey. I felt like a member of the Partridge Family on tour! Once in town we visited the magnificent Sri Meenakshi Temple and the saw the 1000 pillars. Inside the temple (which is in fact a small village within this village) we saw an adorned elephant and the procession of the golden carriage.

We saw the water garden and we were informed that they drain and change the water every two weeks. Inside we were shown around by 'mary' who didn't want paying but wanted us to come to her stall and buy something before we left. To see so much trading inside a temple was very intriguing and colourful. We were 'bindified' in the temple and I was pleased to have chosen my red top from my salwar chemise- its good to keep ones accessories co-ordinating even at such times!

We stopped by a clothes shop en route back to the college to get some long sleeved men’s Kurtas to cover up better at night from the mosquitoes - it was very hard to get anyone to sell us men’s clothing when they realised they were for us. Exhausted, we came back to the College to a veritable feast at John Samuel and Sheela’s house. Sheela’s dad sang in Tamil and we responded led by our aussie friends with a rendition of CookaBrurrow Sits in the Old gum tree- uhm! We retired to bed and slept very well. X

Day Eight