July 4, 2010
It’s sort of easy to forget that it’s the Fourth of July when nothing around screams red white and blue, but Happy Fourth! I’m sort of sad to miss the fireworks and coleslaw, but what could say Happy Independence better than the beautiful city of Madurai and a relocation for two weeks before heading home?
The sky here is actually blue, a bright (though hot) relief after the torrents of rain in Goa. Flying in, the landscape looked much like the Western United States, with mountains springing up throughout an arid agricultural landscape spotted, beautifully, with lush tropical type trees. I don’t think we’re near a beach. The colors here are probably the first things that struck me. Every woman in the Madurai airport was wearing a brightly colored sari, and driving to the hotel, the trees combined with colorful buildings and a blue sky to assemble a montage of brightness everywhere we looked. The hotel is also very nice—small but seems very comfortable and the internet (though not wireless) is free and fast. Much more reliable than in Goa, though my roommate already misses our hotel there.
I’m going to head out for now and rest for a bit before our orientation in an hour. I’m not sure what it is exactly, but apparently we’re associated with an ‘institute” here. I guess I’ll find out in about an hour! Have a wonderful day everyone! Eat lot’s of hamburgers (or veggie burgers) and other American food, and see beautiful fireworks for me!
