For our Burn Crew - AUROVILLE

A few miles from Pondicherry is Auroville, which is a township founded in 1968 as an experiment in community. After learning more about this place (see descriptions below), we realized how it shares so many common characteristics with Black Rock City (Burning Man). As a result, we felt really connected with their vision. Greg was particularly excited about the experimental architecture that characterized the town's buildings. At the center of the city plan, lies the Matramandir which is a giant Epcot-like structure that houses the largest crystal in the world. It serves as a meditation spot and as the soul of the city. We suspect it also functions as a spacecraft to transport the townspeople back to the mother planet. Decom in Auroville 2010!

Watch how you go...

Ian and Greg

Massive banyan tree on the path to the Matramandir...

Look familiar? Replace the Matramandir with the Man and this could be Black Rock City...

Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu

We have come to learn that India is a country of extremes and contradictions. The French Colonial city of Pondicherry is a peaceful, slow-paced enclave within bustling India. The home of many French ex-Pats, it feels very much like a European city. French is frequently heard in the many cafes and restaurants. The well-restored colonial mansions are truly beautiful.

Watch how you go...

Ian and Greg

Mothers having lunch with their children outside the Montessori School...

Greg getting blessed by the elephant...

Ian getting groped by the elephant...

Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu

After Mumbai we flew east to explore the temples in the state of Tamil Nadu. Our first stop was Mamallapuram, home to the ancient Shore Temple and Five Rathas. On our first day we took a bicycle tour led by our awesome guide Shakti. He took us through a nearby village where we we visited a local school and witnessed their morning prayer (see video below). Talking to the school children was a highlight. They loved having us there and were more than eager to pose for some photos! We then went to the home of Shakti's in-laws for a traditional South Indian lunch served on a banana leaf.

Watch how you go...

Ian and Greg

Our first monkey spotting...

Shore Temple...

Five Rathas...

Mumbai, India

It is appropriate that we have no images that represent our experience in Mumbai. That is because you cannot possibly represent that city through images alone. It is an equal part sound, smell, sight experience. Having said that, neither one of us has ever felt culture shock quite like this. We were shocked by the huge gap between the rich and poor. Mumbai is a city of extremes with chauffeured cars passing by hundreds of women, men and children sleeping on garbage filled streets; New York-like night clubs right next to devastating slums of 1 million people. In a city of 17 million ,everyone is fighting for space. This is most evident on the streets where trucks, cars, rickshaws, bikes and buses push in every direction to get to their destination.

We were fortunate to stay with our friends Komal and Amar, who we could not thank enough for their amazing hospitality. We hope that one day we can return the favor. They greatly helped ease our transition from Australia to India.

Our experience in Mumbai is permanently a part of us. Our minds have been opened to understand, first hand, the severity of the struggles that face so many in this world.

Watch how you go...

Ian and Greg

Taj Hotel, just 2.5 months after the attacks... Chowpatty Beach...

Dhobi Ghats...

Victoria Terminus...
Our amazing friends Komal and Amar that opened their home to us for 4 days - thank you!!!