India is a country very dear to my heart.  My parents and sister were born in this great land, and I have visited my relatives here seven times.   The above picture is a statue of Gandhi at Marina Beach in Chennai. It was taken at dawn. These pics sum up my Christmas 2004 and New Year's 2005 in the cities of Chennai and Mumbai, India.  The chance to come to India is a pretty rare occurence for me.  Hopefully, I'll come back soon.




It was pretty cold that night


This is what the surroundings looked like as the sun rose. (Yeah, I know the focus of the pic isn't that good.)


My sister Anupama looking out on the rooftop


From left to right: Shailesh, Arjun (Chithra's (sp?) son), Anupama, Chithra, my aunt (Mom's sister), and my uncles.  This is a pic of us in Mumbai.


Autorickshaws (sp?) kick ass!  I have always wanted to bring one of these babies back to the States.


This is the road leading to my uncle's apartment in Chennai.  In all honesty I just wanted to take a picture of  the cow.


From left to right: my cousin Raghav, Dad, and my cousin Vivek in my uncle's apartment in Chennai


The unfortunate occurence of our visit to India was the horrible tsunami which ravaged southeast Asia.  These people were sleeping not too far from the beach days after the tsunami hit.  The beach area was barricaded and rescue workers were still searching the beach and waters for lost persons and boats.


This is the train station in Chennai.  My uncle and I went there early morning to pick my sister and brother.


I think this is one of the best photos I have ever taken.  This local from Chennai gives a stray dog a small morsel to eat.


My mother holding my late grandmother's jewels in her hands.  


Sarathy Chithapa and my cousin Raghav


A local temple next to my uncle's house in Chennai


My father (third from left) along with my uncles and other family friends on New Year's Eve.  After the tsunami rendered my uncle's beach house inhabitable, we decided to have a small party on the roof of my uncle's apartment building.


This good man is making us dosa (sp?).  Mmmmm. Good food!


I went with my little cousin, Manasi (sp?), around Chennai in the beginning of the new year.  This is an area next to the beach which was affected by the tsunami.  Not much damage was done, although my cousin told me that there was supposed to be a restaurant on the rooftop of this building.


This is the Smith Memorial on the east coast of India.  It was built to honor a man named Smith who died drowning while trying to save someone's life in these waters.


And this is my cousin, Manasi (sp?).  She is like a little sister to me.


Another typical day in Chennai, India.  I think the number of auto rickshaws and temperature display tell it all.


From left to right: my father,  our family friend Dr. Jonna, Jonna's brother in law, and my uncle Ram Chithapa.


Dr. Jonna, Ram, and my Dad.  We spent the afternoon eating Chicken Tikka and drinking beer. Good times.


This is what it looks like to ride in an autorickshaw.  You can see my uncle's face in the rearview mirror.


Myself and my oldest cousin, Ramesh.  My father has nine brothers (Two have passed on), so there are a ton of cousins on my Dad's side alone.  I hadn't see Ramesh since I was ten years old.  This was my last day in India.


A great visit to my relatives in Chennai ends with a sunset.