Stayed at Nana’s Guesthouse, Chennai, India (400 Rupees)
Travel isn’t always rainbows and butterflies. Watched helplessly as a homeless man got beaten with a cane while lying peacefully on the sidewalk by a police officer dressed in civilian clothes. Bystanders simply said it had something to do with the election coming up. Still getting acclimated to the fast pace of India. I will never settle in a city with such a high density of honking vehicles.
Pleasant 300km bus ride from Trichy to Chennai
Went to a bookstore here in Chennai – most books relate to the Hindu faith, meditation, and self-help. I compensated for my sour mood by indulging in several 2 Rupee snacks today. Enjoyed the 300km bus ride from Trichy to Chennai – kept the window open and stuck my head out to feel the breeze flow through my hair, which is now starting to get curly.
Saw a guy walking his dog and I snuck in a few pets as he passed. It made me think of Chopper and how much I miss his cuddliness. Visualized scenes from America and how different life there contrasts with the filth here. How does one maintain a peaceful spirit among this sort of chaos? Reminded each day how much I dislike cars and scooters. Where were they going without ever knowing the way? I need some beach time soon, or perhaps I’ll stumble upon an ashram. Apparently the 2nd longest beach in the world is here in Chennai.
Stayed at Palace Lodge, Chennai India (295 Rupees)
You climb a mountain step by step. 40,337 steps today or 20.81 miles. Wonderful exploration of Tamil Nadu’s capital city. Stopped at a local food joint and sat down – ordered egg bryani.
A few kids asked if I would be an extra in their short film on child labor to which I agreed.
Continue meeting ambitious Indians. En route to the beach, I stumbled upon a great library on Pantheon Road. Read a book on Indian philosophy, taking special interest in the Buddhism chapter. Must fully explore the Bihar region. Hung out with a few students on Harris Road – eager to visit the USA.
Made it to Marina Beach and took a few nice photos of the monuments and the colorful people of India at the MGR Memorial.
Took special interest in the Gandhi Monument. Want to read more about Gandhian economics. His face remains on the currency here – monuments and markets pay homage to his remarkable life. Walked down the pier and met a guy who told me Marina Beach was the 2nd longest beach in the world at 13km. I told him I better get going if I was going to walk the distance. If not for the fading sunlight, I would have made it to the end and back. Bustling little shops along the beach. I indulged in some roasted corn, sugarcane juice, noodle chicken with spice, and an ice cream.
A few moments of certainty in my actions and confidence my future remains bright. I’m on the right path.
Gandhi stressed the importance of decentralization and while he realized the industrialization age inevitably would replace human labor with machine labor, he believed that Indians should maintain self-sustaining and cottage industry focused economies within villages. I meet ambitious minds, but they don’t have a blank canvas upon which to create their futures. I see congested, stress-inducing streets with very little walking lanes, sidewalks in disrepair and stinking of urine. Trash lines the second half of the famous Marina Beach. I contemplate ways to solve these issues, but our control structures limit my ability to influence. It would be ideal to each find ourselves a blank canvas and opportunity to create our vision of a utopian community. In my vision, currency would be awarded in units of actual productivity for the provision of shelter, water, food, efficient transportation, medicine, waste management, spiritual guidance and artistic expression. Nothing else matters. Mindfulness exercises, recognizing short breaths, long breaths, and horizontal movements. Noises coming from within. False promises still give hope. Hope inspires change. Change generates creative outlets. Proceed down the path of uncertainty and truth will be yours. Listen to the inner voice.
