The Culture
Immersing ones-self in another culture is an incredibly rewarding experience, but can often be an overwhelming one as well, even for seasoned travelers. Because we cannot capture the complexity and richness of the experience that is traveling in India, we will briefly describe a few customs, practices, and situations you will likely encounter while living in Pondicherry and volunteering with IVC. You may not agree with everything but it is imperative that you attempt to understand where the culture comes from. Indian culture is as rich as it is diverse. It is also one of contradiction and of contrasts.
- Life moves at a very fast pace in India, and, upon arrival, you will likely be thrust right in the middle of it all. Motorbikes, rickshaws, trucks, cows, bicycles, cars, street dogs, playing children, buses and you are all vying for their own space on narrow streets. This makes getting from point A to point B a bit chaotic. However, there are certain rules drivers and pedestrians follow in order to maintain safety. Also, there are very few sidewalks, so if you decide to walk—which we highly recommend, giving you firsthand orientation of the area—you will be sharing the road with everyone, a routine but satisfying experience.
- Interaction with Indian people varies by context and setting, and can sometimes make one feel uncomfortable, but more often than not you will feel incredibly welcome, and the people you interact with on a daily basis will become lifelong friends. For example, because the average Indian has had few interactions with internationally-diverse populations, they are more likely to stare. Also, when volunteers give awareness talks to underprivileged people in rural areas, those people will go out of their way to demonstrate their gratitude by offering what little they may have (such as some soda or sweets) with firm persistence. These are small, potentially uncomfortable occurrences which will undoubtedly be overshadowed by your interactions with children calling out “Hello” while you walk through your neighborhood, or having a chai tea with staff members during volunteer meetings. Overall, your interactions with Indian people will leave you with positive feelings, and will make your time with IVC incredibly rewarding.
- Punctuality and time are very flexible concepts in India and many volunteers may find this frustrating. However, there are often very good reasons a meeting may start late or trip to a rural community isn’t as organized as it could be. Specifically, Indian people find it difficult to say no to reuqests, and due to this custom they often over-commit their time and find themselves unable to fulfill all of the promises they've made. There are several ways to work with this potential issue, including: renting your own motorbike or bicycle so you can be more independent; have awareness of the time but don’t demand much of it (be ready on time but don’t stand by the door counting the minutes); telling others your meeting/program is earlier, giving your schedule built-in wiggle room; or keeping a cool attitude and accepting it as a facet of another culture. We promise that all commitments are treated seriously; they just may not start the exact moment you want them to.
The Food
One of the greatest attractions of India is the food. Since the majority of the population is considered vegetarian, most dishes consist of lentils, vegetables, grains, and spices. However, aside from beef, there are plenty of meat-friendly options available at many restaurants as well. Regardless of whatever dish suites you, be ready for some of the best flavoring found within the world, as India’s climate and soil has created unique herbs and spices that heavily influence the food. And if you are unsure if a particular spice-level is appropriate for you, don’t worry, many restaurants cook to order and can leave out certain ingredients that may be an issue for your palette.
Located in the state of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry city has a unique food vibe due its coastal location, French influences, traditional meals, and urban conveniences. Nearly all types of food can be found here, American fast-food included, and the staff and other volunteers know some of the best spots to pick up tasty and unique options. A few close and tested favorites include Suguru’s, a hotel basement restaurant whose specialty is the traditional Thali meal, Don Giovanni’s, an Italian-owned rooftop eatery with amazing views and even better pasta, and an unnamed street-food vendor located at the end of Rainbow Nagar, who fries-up veg or non-veg noodles for incredibly cheap prices. And for those of you who wish to use IVC’s kitchen and cook your own options, Rainbow Nagar has several vegetable sellers along its length, and an international market in the center of town has every foodstuff imaginable.
Located in the state of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry city has a unique food vibe due its coastal location, French influences, traditional meals, and urban conveniences. Nearly all types of food can be found here, American fast-food included, and the staff and other volunteers know some of the best spots to pick up tasty and unique options. A few close and tested favorites include Suguru’s, a hotel basement restaurant whose specialty is the traditional Thali meal, Don Giovanni’s, an Italian-owned rooftop eatery with amazing views and even better pasta, and an unnamed street-food vendor located at the end of Rainbow Nagar, who fries-up veg or non-veg noodles for incredibly cheap prices. And for those of you who wish to use IVC’s kitchen and cook your own options, Rainbow Nagar has several vegetable sellers along its length, and an international market in the center of town has every foodstuff imaginable.
The Climate
Pondicherry and the surrounding areas have summer from roughly April to June, when temperatures generally reach or exceed 38°C (100°F) on a daily basis. From June until September the area experiences high humidity and sporadic thunderstorms. Temperatures from September to March are significantly cooler, with average daily highs of 29°C (84°) as the monsoons bring much-needed rain from October to December.
