Sales, Palaces and Temples

My first week with Arulagam has included quite a bit of activity. I've played accountant at two sales of Arulagam handicrafts made by the women residents.

The Arulagam sales booth at a sales fair associated with the Church of South India. Pictured here are ManiCoorie (sp?, pronunciation?), Sylvia, Margaret and her son, Danny.

I also visited the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, which is an impressive 400+ year old structure in desperate need of the reconstruction it is currently undergoing.

I again visited the Meenakshi Temple that I first saw last March. Both the temple and palace were built by the same (presumably filthy rich) king.

A foreigner taking a ride on a beautifully decorated temple elephant.

The temple room of 1,000 carved pillars.

Myself with one of the more intricately carved pillars.

Pushpa posing with a (fake) elephant.

In other news, I think (knock on wood!) that I'm finally adjusting to the climate here. I find that standing under the shower head fully clothed and then lying under a fan feels much like being in air conditioning. Very comfortable. I have also gotten better at securing the mosquito net covering my bed, which makes sleeping through the night a lot easier.