training week 1

"total immersion" training started at the early hour of 10 am on monday june 4th. i walked into bhagirathi hall on the ifmr campus just a few minutes short of 10 am. the room was bustling with interns and research associates. i walked towards the right side of the room and met five or six interns. The morning wore on with a series of presentations (that were supposedly going to be short!) and then it was finally time for lunch. Twenty-five or more interns and groups of RAs lined up to catch autos to a nearby haunt, Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant. (For you travelers out there, this restaurant is located on Nungumbakkam High Road and is definitely a good spot for cheap but good food.)

We returned back to meet our first speaker, who was a professor from Chennai University. He gave us an overview of India's political/economic history.

The week went on like this, speakers and information sessions on the various institutes. There were also several skills workshops that covered things like how to conduct an interview and how to put together surveys. Overall, the sessions were interesting. However, some should definitely be curtailed to maintain the interns' attention in future training sessions.

One of the highlights of the week was a first trip to Spencer Mall. Being the first few days in town, all the interns were eager to find shops so that they could fill their closets with appropriate cultural garb and purchase cell phones. It was also the most entertaining option for a Wednesday evening. Of course, as soon as class was over, everyone went in ten different directions; some caught autos, others took a car and others (me) got left behind at the hostel unbeknownst to all groups. Not to be thwarted at a chance to reenter the mall, I quickly jumped in an auto and headed to meet up with the other interns. I had a feeling that most people would be in the food court area as it was nearing dinner time - and I was right. I caught up with Christian and Sibill and we eventually found our way to Sree's Sweet Shop. (I think I mentioned this in a previous post.) We ended up buying tons of different little sweets. By this time Ricardo and Suba had also joined us. After we feasted on some gorgeous looking sweets, we joined the others at the Spencer Mall international food court. It was interesting to see everything from Pizza Hut to a local version of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Of course, like in any place, the large group of non-Indians attracted a great deal of attention. Sibill and I ate at the place next door, I don't remember the name, but the chat was pretty good. I also had some toast with jam. For those of you who are first time visitors - jam in India is syrupy sweet and does not really taste like fruits. (not advised for jam-lovers...) we eventually hopped into autos and found our way home to rest before another rigorous day of training.

thursday was short ... we were getting ready to go to madurai..by overnight train. after classes we packed our bags and shamanthy and i hopped in an auto and met our fellow interns at the Hotel Pandian, where everyone else is staying... we all gathered our belongings, bought last minute things like water, biscuits and bananas from the local street vendors and headed to the egmore train station....

time for my first overnight train in india (since 1993!).... more on madurai later.