Can anyone give me advice on living in Pondicherry (India)? How can I make the most of the 6 months I'm there?

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visualizewhirledpeas72

I don't know, but did you LOVE Life of Pi?? I loved that book. Sorry my answer is of no help to you, but when I saw "Pondicherry" I couldn't resist seizing the opportunity to talk about how wonderful Life of Pi is. I recommend it to anyone. I saw the author, Yann Martel, speak at a teacher convention last November and it was so very cool....Ok sorry for wasting your time, but best of luck to you in India. :-D

bp.delhi

Hi Kirsty,

Knowing English is sufficient. Because people who speaks French must know English & same for people who speaks Hindi must know English in Pondicherry. But if you have spare time then you can learn little bit Tamil. Because you are going to stay for six months. You might interact with people living in remote areas & near by villages of Pondicherry.
Vegetarian & Non-vegetarian is not a problem in Pondicherry (not in India too).
It is reasonably westernised and people are used to of seeing Foreigner & Indian tourists in their clothes.
Yes its one of the main tourist place of India.
But Pondy hasn't only its own special attractions to offer. It is a perfect base to explore the rich destinations around it, even in daily trips: Auroville, the international City of Unity; the imposing Gingee Fort, the holy temple towns of Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai and Chidambaram, the heritage sculptures and magnificent rock temples of Mamallapuram, and the cool and lush hillstations of Yercaud and Kodaikanal.
The Aayi Mandapam at the centre of the Park is the most known monument. Built during the reign of Napoleon III in France and named after a 16th. century courtesan, Aayi.
Like any other place in India Pondicherry has its own unique festivals with its own colourful ambience:
The International Yoga Festival in January, Maasi Magam in February - March at the beach of the Fishing Village and FÃªte de Pondichery in August

raajz

6 months in pondy u wd go crazy.
spend time at auro ville.
Veg food is good its all rice based.verry spicey.
Zo is there in Chennai - well do not know f it has animals.
Forget tamil and hindi - dont waste time - u wllpik up just few words.
learn yoga.
meet an astrologer.
ponds is westernised - u wear what u want.
come aftre oct. aftre march its tooooo hot.

koantum

German by passport, I have spent most of my life in Pondicherry. English will do fine. Lots of vegetarian food available. It's about the most westernised place in India. It's easy to adjust to the sensibilities of the local population, which will help you to get the most out of your stay. Too many tourists for my taste, but don't worry about that. Plenty of places to visit, but you may not feel like, once you are here. Sorry, no zoo. There never was. Best time to visit: December till March. Worst time: June to September. Rainfall is moderate, not at all the most rainy place in India.

Dude

I don't know how can you make most out of your trip, but being an Indian I call tell you this much, Do not go to Pondicherry between July thru October. Pondicherry is know for world's highest rain fall.
Should I focus my langauge learning on Hindi or Tamil?
- Tamil
Will I be ok as a vegetarian there?
- Anywhere in India you will be finr as a vegiterian
Is it reasonably westernised or should I cover up at all times?
- Cover up
Are there many tourists?
- Yes. But again depends upon the time of year.
Where is good to visit in the surrounding area?
- No Idea
And is there really a zoo there, as in Life of Pi?
- No Idea

majorcavalry

Honestly - 6 months may be a bit too long.
Learn Tamil - they do not speak Hindi too well in the South of India.
Being a vegeterian will not be a problem. Pondicherry is reasonably westernised, wear normal clothes - light ones - avoid nudity as far as possible.
Best time would be October onwards till March.
See Chennai , Bangalore which are reasonably close.

MNSM

Tamil is most commenly used language in Pondicherry.

Vegetarian - absolutely no problems. You have good hotels like Jayaram and Aanad etc.

Tourist are there in many numbers. You have an international village called Auroville in Pondicherry, where you can meet people from Europe and North America.

No Zoo. It has beach / resorts. Chennai, Mamallapuram (Ma-malla-puram) (famous for cultural heritage, carvings etc) are the places worth a visit. If you are interested in Temples / Churches then Take a trip to Velankanni and Madurai.

August to Feb is the apt time to be in Pondicherry.

Covering yourself would be much welcome. Westernised is Okay, (T Shirt with Jeans or capreeze (Full length or 3/4 of length) is Okay) but if you wander in roads with a dress which will expose more parts of your body, then you might become center of attraction. Culture of India is NOT for exposing, so I hope you will give respect to that culture.

Mail me if you need any help.

Harry

drink and sleep

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