Touring Pondicherry

Here is the entrance to the town, a typical French arch. Notice that the name is now Puducherry, meaning it has reverted back to its pre-colonial name.

Touring Pondicherry

Here is the entrance to the Indian Coffee House on Nehru street. This busy coffee house is where Yann Martel met Francis Adirubusamy. It is not always so blurry.

Touring Pondicherry

The Indian Coffee House does not have the most expensive chairs, but lots of people gather there and talk with each other. I had a Sprite.

Touring Pondicherry

The streets of Pondicherry are wider than most Indian streets, and the right angles and white buildings reminded us of Europe.

Touring Pondicherry

Here is a scene from the market in Pondicherry on a Sunday morning. Being as Pondicherry is on the coast, there was a lot of seafood for sale. We bought nothing.

Touring Pondicherry

This is one of the large, beautiful Hindu temples in Pondicherry. Notice the ornate decorations.

Touring Pondicherry

This decorated elephant took coins for the temple. Right here, his trunk was looking for my wallet.

Touring Pondicherry

Here is the roof of the temple. Notice the many gods shown here. Also notice that it is awesome.

Touring Pondicherry

Here is the big Catholic Church in Pondicherry. The church runs Petit Seminaire, where Pi attends school.

Touring Pondicherry

Here is the inside of the church. It was beautiful.

Touring Pondicherry

This is the entrance to Pi’s school. A market was set up outside and there were no students this day, because it was Sunday.

Touring Pondicherry

Here are some of the desks at the school. Looks comfy, eh? Notice the air conditioning – the holes in the wall.

Touring Pondicherry

This shows that our class size is not so bad.

Touring Pondicherry

Inside the school’s courtyard

Touring Pondicherry

One entrance to the Botanical Gardens where Pi and his family lived

Touring Pondicherry

The side entrance

Touring Pondicherry

The toy train tracks (and toaster)

Touring Pondicherry

The stop at Roseville

Touring Pondicherry

A statue of Hanuman in the botanical gardens

Touring Pondicherry

The statue of Gandhi on the coast where Pi and his parents are confronted by three men

Touring Pondicherry

The coast of Pondicherry has many people selling ice creams and toys. Pi’s father will use this ice cream to interrupt an awkward scene.