Two words best describe Chennai–under construction. Reminiscent of downtown SF and the extension of the MUNI, Chennai is building an extensive transportation system. How many autorickshaw (I prefer the TukTuk moniker used in Thailand) drivers are doomed?

The E Hotel. Attached to a super mall with decent coffee shops yet when I asked for the nearest shopping center, the man at the “everything” desk steered me to the older, Spencer Mall. Much further away, access was across an impossibly large and busy road and around that subway construction. A totally different yet more Indian experience. A mall with many kiosks of Indian chotskies, a Subway and a KFC plus the little stand where I went against all my travel-to-third-world rules and had a fresh strawberry/banana shake. Eight hours later and I am still fine so dodged that bullet.

Asking for the bar/lounge advertised in the “services” book of the hotel, I was informed that they await their license–and it sounded so good. Still, I have my doubts considering the silver-studded purple doors. Ended up at My Bar, the only one in the neighborhood. Flashing lights and two big screens offering the ultimate in Bollywood. Of course, only female in the room. Dark and the last place on earth to order wine. I didn’t. Had a Kingfisher beer and watched the movie with the “boys.”

The beach in Chennai is no ordinary beach. It’s not a place filled with sunbathers and umbrellas. There are areas geared toward playtime, with food huts and rides. But there is a very long stretch that is home to hundreds, with makeshift shelters, some permanent structures, a grid pattern of streets. Life is happening here. There is easy access to the sea where many make their living off whatever they can harvest from the Bay of Bengal.

Styrofoam boxes line the walk ready to protect the catch of the day from the sun and heat. Women call to the passersby to check out their stalls, delineated only by stacks of those styrofoam boxes. Small boats line the water’s edge ready for the next day’s fishing expedition. There is no refrigeration, no ice, so I am skeptical that the afternoon display could be considered “fresh” and safe. Still, sales continue but deals are in abundance. A young couple happily carried off a large fish, type unknown to me, but for them, a real find. I hope they ate it without incident.

The cacophony of horns, arms grabbed by beggars and TukTuk drivers who won’t take no for an answer. Yep. This is India!!