rickshaws and shopping malls

auto rickshaw fits 7 women and baggage.

Our first day of Stage and we are invited by the staff to go to the town of Tenkasi to buy some supplies this includes money exchange, Indian clothes, shoes and snacks and fruit.   Uma arranges the auto rickshaw and we negotiate a 3 hour pass to get us out the gate to go shopping.  I realise they want us back before 8 pm.  dinner time at Amar Seva Sangham and an appropriate time for  women  to be off the streets...
All five of us fit in the rickshaw, then we pick up Uma and her friend that makes 7 in the back seat!  but the whole Town of Tenkasi is a press of human movement.  Cars, buses and motorcycles compete for every square inch.  When crossing the street you do NOT wait until the coast is clear,because it never is.  You simply walk out and know they will avoid you. Nobody is going very fast in this crowd.

We drive thru the maze of people and get out when are told to go shop... fruit stand, bakary, grocery store... each time the driver waits for us.
The clothing shop in mostly a fabric store.  Very few ready made items are available.  So I bought the fabric to make an outfit. 

 The fabric is sold as a set, pants top and scarf to match.  just cut and sow with a beautiful picture of a model on the bag of fabric.  no pattern needed.  The tailoring school will make the top and pants for less than a dollar!  Can't wait to see the final product!  I also have a Saree  and need to have the top made .                                                          

the Ulagamman Temple and Viiswanathar Temple is the tallest building in the town.  Quite a sight.  We will return to visit it some day...