Madurai

Our time in Madurai, the south of India, has been quick. We flew in on July 18th and were greeted with a music (mridangam drum) and dance (Bharatanatyam) program.

The 19th was another action packed day, beginning with 6am yoga class with Dr. Hari Shankar (of course that was the highlight of my day). I did treat myself to a 20 minute foot massage :) Then we were off to the Meenakshi temple, which is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi Amman and Shiva. For 10 rupees, I was blessed by an elephant... I figure I'll take all the blessings I can get. Afterwards we had lunch and traveled to the TVS school, where instruction is mostly in English. Students do take one class of Tamil, their native language, each day. I was impressed with the English class, especially since they had a smartboard in the classroom!

On the 20th we traveled 90 minutes to Aiyanaarpuram, a super rural school. Kids in this area were barefoot, and there were no formal desks in rooms. Still, the students were exhuberant to meet us, and sing their songs in English. Now, off to catch a flight to Chennai!

I forgot to mention that my wonderful husband sent roses and a stuffed animal all the way to southern India to celebrate our anniversary. The hotel staff, comprised of 5 men, loved handing me the flowers, and even more so, the stuffed animal and said I had a good husband. I agree :)