January 15, 2009

Ah, Ideal Beach. What an appropriate name. The Bethel India group arrived at Ideal Beach Resort last evening around 6:00 (almost exactly the time that was predicted by “Dr. J.”). The drive to Ideal Beach was quite the experience—two-way roads become four-way depending upon how many bicycles, motorcycles, buses, auto-rickshaws, cows, pedestrians, semi-trucks, cars, and vans were trying to crowd into the same space. Our drivers were magicians as they wound through the traffic (not to mention the Pongo festival crowds that jammed the streets of the villages through which we drove). The most common quote from the trip so far is, “I could never drive here.”

On the way to Ideal Beach we had four interesting stops: a village of extremely poor shoe-menders (they are Dalits whose traditional job was to mend shoes, a very low status job in India) whose lives have been greatly improved through the work of microenterprise project that allowed to buy water buffalo which they milk allowing them to sell 10 cans (20 liters each) of milk per day; a village with a wonderfully intact 7^th century Pallava Empire temple; a village of weavers who make the most intricately designed saris; and, lastly, bird sanctuary with about a zillion birds (the highlight of this visit was drinking milk from green coconuts and chewing on fresh sugar cane). The first village was a real highlight. We were met with women carrying saffron water on which a cube of burning camphor floated. They poured this out at our feet. The symbolism of this was to wash away all our troubles and misfortunes. They then took us through the village showing us their houses, buffalo, and much more. It was an incredible time with the warmest most generous hospitality. Afterwards, a leader of the women’s self-help group spoke and told us that many government workers come to see them, but this is the first time that a group of kind American young people has come just because they want to visit. She went on to say that we made this the best Pongo (Tamil New Year) of her entire life. Wow.

Ideal Beach is a beautiful, idyllic break which has refreshed us all. Some just sat by the ocean and enjoyed the tumultuous scene (much to rough for swimming). Others lounged by the pool. About 2/3’s went on a tour of three incredible temple sites from the 7^th century. Still others enjoyed a dance and music presentation in the temple that is part of the Pongo festival.

So, Ideal Beach is a time to rest up and be refreshed. There has been time to pray, journal, and just enjoy one another.

Tomorrow we head back to Chennai for four more days of visits and experiences. So far we have been able to meet highly successful business execs, equally successful women who are pulling themselves out of poverty through their self-help projects, an incredibly committed eye surgeon who is dedicated (along with many others) to end unnecessary blindness in India within his lifetime, and so many other people. The experience has been eye opening.