The first week: breaking the stereotypes

*sips coffee*

*sips coffee*

Between Podi dosas and Rajnikanth-inscribed mugs, I am starting to appreciate the misplaced stereotypes about a city whose mere thought used to be unpleasant not so long back.

We try to stay away from all things which form a negative notion within, even if misconstrued or based on hearsay. Right until the time I finished my packing, there weren’t many who spoke of the city in a good light. Amidst all the excitement of a new environment at a place I’ve never been to, there was but a small sense of apprehension. “That bad?” We also love surprises, don’t we? Especially the pleasant kind.

I’ve grown up in Delhi and have rarely entertained the idea of an endless water body next to me as I sit on sand munching corn-on-the-cob. Most people would call it a beach. Pardon my enthusiasm with words, it stems from sheer delight at the prospect of getting to spend the next phase of my life right there.

Let the horizon be your friend

The weather is a slight inconvenience, but not enough to ruin the city for me, no way José.

Now that the geography is sorted out, let’s talk some food. The biggest misconception about this place is it’s lack of variety in cuisines to feast on. Whether you’re a vegetarian or a carnivore of my ilk, trust me when I say this, the city will please your palate to no end. “All you will get is the native food”, they said. “We’ve never stayed there long enough to know better”, they never said. Over the coming weeks, I’m looking forward to shattering all pre-conceived notions of a ‘limited’ local cuisine too. I’ve already seen promising signs.

Far too often, we let foreign opinions cloud our vision. I’m glad I got the opportunity to see through it.

“This is your captain Himani Malhotra speaking. We would be landing in Chennai shortly. Please put your seat-belts back on.”