Regardless of how many times you watch Slum Dog Millionaire or The Marigold Hotel, nothing and I mean NOTHING can prepare you for the overwhelming sites, sounds and smells that encompass you, in the most colorful and yet bleak country I have ever stepped foot in: India.
We landed at midnight in the Chennai International Airport and were quickly escorted into what looked like an abandoned school cafeteria. We waited beneath the flickering neon lights for what seemed like days. As we approached the old beaten up desk that doubled as the customs office, my heart jumped. I had no idea what was going to happen once we left that building and all I could see were scenes from the movie Taken, that my boyfriend kindly showed me the week before I left on the trip- yeah, really good idea.
As we left the building the humidity poured over our bodies and added to the nervous sweat we were fighting back. In the dark it was difficult to distinguish between each person. The sea of bodies before us looked tired and lost. Laying on top of another, hanging over the guard rail and against any stable pole or person, I couldn't figure out if they were waiting for someone to arrive or hoping they could leave.
After building our courage we decided to approach the taxi area that was still partially blocked off. Maybe this way we could prevent getting lost in the crowd. Approaching I realized that although they spoke English I couldn't separate their words into coherent sentences. Although we were looking for someone to pick us up we realized fast that if you don't take control of the situation, someone else will for you and then you are in their hands. Before we knew it we were in a taxi that could have been taken right from a 1960's gangster film. Our driver spoke no english and as we looked into his eyes noticed that one was completely blurred over and did not move from the inner corner. His other eye has a slight cloud but seemed to work. My mind raced as we sat in the back of the car. The doors are unlocked. Is Jaims scared? How much would I go for on the black market? Good thing there are lights on the streets. oh no- the lights are gone and here is a tunnel!!! Can jaims read my mind? Yes, yes i think she can. Do we jump out now or after the tunnel? oh wow a cow is sleeping in the middle of the road. As my mind continued to race and form escape plans we noticed a tuk tuk behind us honking loudly which seemed odd in a silent and empty neighborhood. A small excited man jumped from the tuk tuk and proceeded to bang on our windows. If we weren't scared before this point I can say with complete honesty that at this moment I knew I was going to die or be sold.
With the use of many hand gestures he conveyed that he was supposed to pick us up at the airport and was there but when we tried to call him the taxi men took the phone and pretty much hung up on him and then lied to us. The first of many lies.
So we got in the tuk tuk and hurried off to the home of our couchsurfing host. She welcomed us with wide open arms and put us right to bed as it was early in the morning by this time. As we lay there we laughed through our fears and I silently prayed for no more scares.
Drifting into sleep I felt a wet sponge on my face. Scared to death I scream which then scares the culprit, a huge creature that then decides to silence me by jumping on top of me with such power that I felt the air leave my chest. Searching for breath I jumped out of bed as a beast began to pee all over the bed in which I hoped to finally rest. Regaining conscience I realized the beast was a huge dog and my bed was now wet. To tired to care, we covered the bed with extra sheets and the puddle with a large pillow and then jaims and I curled into the part of the bed that was the least drenched and once again tried to sleep.
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| *our beautiful host- a woman with a heart of gold, and a very large dog* |
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| *teaching us the many ways to wear a sari* |
