Looking for some items in Chennai

madan80 · Dec 4th, 2007, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by crowgirl

The items/places:

shops where they sell affordable fabric in smaller pieces- my sis-in-law loves to make pillows and such with pretty fabrics. Not great amount of fabrics needed....

places that sell small hand-made wood carved animals,

Well - i just joined - and this is my first post - so Yay! on that front. But I do hope its not too late on the notes.

The best place to buy fabric is "cotton street". Now this is in a place called Egmore - just next to the Co-Optex showroom on pantheon road. This is also close to the museum. Now in the co-optex showroom you can get your cotton shirts, and in cotton street you can pickup a truckload of cloth. The advantage of cotton street is that you haggle - and haggle hard. what ever the dude says - cut it by 50% and then go up 5% at a time.

As for the "hand-made wood carved animals" you get an excellent collection at VTI (Victoria Technical Institute - on Mount road/ Anna Salai)

crowgirl · Dec 4th, 2007, 19:51

Not too late at all- Thank you!!!

We leave here on the 12th Dec for Chennai so this is perfect timing. I really appreciate your help.

crowgirl · Dec 18th, 2007, 12:07

It's RAINING it's POURING......

We're here and not a thing to do stuck in an apt with no internet and only TV is in Tamil- took an autorickshaw to the Reliance Browsing Center to check email and figure out what to do in this weather. Not wealthy, so mostly walking to venues, etc.

Sure hope it clears really soon as it'd be a drag to come all this way just to get wet. So far no one can tell us where to purchase an umbrella.

Last year it never even drizzled if I remember correctly.

Nick-H · Dec 18th, 2007, 14:12

Yep... thoroughly wet and soggy day here in Chennai.

Have sent you a PM re meeting up.

PLaneMad · Dec 18th, 2007, 14:14

crowgirl, you didnt happen to have lunch in alwarpet today did you?

crowgirl · Dec 20th, 2007, 11:56

We were in the area- name a place specifically and I'll tell you. We walk everywhere and are easy to spot. If you even think it might be me you can come up to say hello and mention IndiaMike and that would be nice!!!

I've been telling Nick that all the Western foreigners I've seen to date completely avoid my eye contact/smile and act as if I/husband don't exist in their personal India.

How totally bizarre! Everyone who actually lives here has been extremely helpful, kind and fun!

Last night we got baptized by the flood of Chennai- soaked to the bone, striding thru filthy water above our knees but had more fun being alive than I've had in a very long time!!!! The tiny restaurant we went to was AMAZING and I threw out all advice to the winds and enjoyed the chutneys. I'm here to write about it.

I don't get to computer other than at Reliance Center so will check back on this thread later- perhaps tomorrow.

machadinha · Dec 20th, 2007, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by crowgirl

I've been telling Nick that all the Western foreigners I've seen to date completely avoid my eye contact/smile and act as if I/husband don't exist in their personal India.

How totally bizarre! Everyone who actually lives here has been extremely helpful, kind and fun!

PLaneMad · Dec 20th, 2007, 12:11

i was all drenched and miserable and came for a quick bite at sandheepa on ttk road. saw a foreign couple walk in, the girl in a salwar. only when i came back and read this,it hit me it could have been you.

Sama · Dec 20th, 2007, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by crowgirl

all the Western foreigners I've seen to date completely avoid my eye contact/smile and act as if I/husband don't exist in their personal India.

How totally bizarre! Everyone who actually lives here has been extremely helpful, kind and fun!

EXACTLY! I found the exact same thing on my last two trips. if I saw another westerner, which was rare, I would look at them and smile. no response. I called it the "dead man walking" look.

after a while, I just said F it, who needs ya? I'll stick with Indians!

especially in pondicherry -- real western snobs!

backpakker · Dec 20th, 2007, 12:16

Glad you are enjoying the Chennai monsoons..not too many do

You could try for your jacket at FabIndia, which is in Spensers on Mount Road, Woods Street off Mount Road and Besant Nagar . I would suggest Woods Street ..Also suggest a walk down T Nagar post the rains ..

mairangi_vice · Dec 20th, 2007, 18:16

speaking of floods in Chennai, the ever efficient road crew has been working to fix a blocked drain by my office, they have spent all day pumping out the water, which has moved 100m down the street to create another flood above the next blocked drain! perhaps tomorrow they will fix that and the flood will move to the next drain, and eventually along to the sea! not a big help when you have to walk through it to get home!

madan80 · Dec 21st, 2007, 08:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by crowgirl

It's RAINING it's POURING......

We're here and not a thing to do stuck in an apt with no internet and only TV is in Tamil- took an autorickshaw to the Reliance Browsing Center to check email and figure out what to do in this weather. Not wealthy, so mostly walking to venues, etc.

Sure hope it clears really soon as it'd be a drag to come all this way just to get wet. So far no one can tell us where to purchase an umbrella.

Last year it never even drizzled if I remember correctly.

go into any shop that displays luggage outside. they will usually stock umbrellas and rain gear. Also - where are you staying? it might be easier to tell you where to go.

Nick-H · Dec 21st, 2007, 12:19

Rain over.

There'll be water shortages by the end of next week.

That's Chennai.

crowgirl · Feb 6th, 2008, 21:42

As an afterthought on this old post:

I found all the items I was looking for but nary a small carved wooden tiger to be found. I was quite disappointed as carved elephants were EVERYWHERE but never saw an elephant in person while in India any more than I saw a real life tiger. Looks like I'm gonna have to take up whittlin' wood myself.

I'm saying the above- as when we were in Chennai I was told that elephants are common. It's odd that so many people here in US associate Bengal tigers/Bay of Bengal with South India and then one goes there and its like the tiger never existed. The only tigers I seem to have heard about while there were the Sri Lankans.

Anyway- a Big Thanks to all who pointed the way to the items I requested- your help was right on -very, very appreciated and a great success as everyone here at home loved their gifts!

Nick-H · Feb 6th, 2008, 22:30

If you'd reminded me about your tiger, I bet I could have found you one...

Dec 4th, 2007, 19:51	#32
crowgirl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN USA Posts: 162	Not too late at all- Thank you!!! We leave here on the 12th Dec for Chennai so this is perfect timing. I really appreciate your help. __________________ S/he who laughs lasts

Dec 18th, 2007, 14:12	#34
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,818	Yep... thoroughly wet and soggy day here in Chennai. Have sent you a PM re meeting up. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Dec 20th, 2007, 12:16	#40
backpakker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 164	Glad you are enjoying the Chennai monsoons..not too many do You could try for your jacket at FabIndia, which is in Spensers on Mount Road, Woods Street off Mount Road and Besant Nagar . I would suggest Woods Street ..Also suggest a walk down T Nagar post the rains .. __________________ www.backpakker.blogspot.com

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Dutible items	vasco802	Packing Tips for India travel	2	Nov 22nd, 2005 12:22
items available in chemists?	paulus	Health and Well Being in India	6	Jun 3rd, 2005 21:50
should I take these items or not?	Hot Tomali	Packing Tips for India travel	15	Apr 19th, 2005 04:08
These items available in Delhi?	cutekim	Delhi	6	Nov 16th, 2001 15:52

Dec 18th, 2007, 12:07	#33
crowgirl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN USA Posts: 162	It's RAINING it's POURING...... We're here and not a thing to do stuck in an apt with no internet and only TV is in Tamil- took an autorickshaw to the Reliance Browsing Center to check email and figure out what to do in this weather. Not wealthy, so mostly walking to venues, etc. Sure hope it clears really soon as it'd be a drag to come all this way just to get wet. So far no one can tell us where to purchase an umbrella. Last year it never even drizzled if I remember correctly.

Dec 18th, 2007, 14:14	#35
PLaneMad Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 55	crowgirl, you didnt happen to have lunch in alwarpet today did you?

Dec 20th, 2007, 11:56	#36
crowgirl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN USA Posts: 162	We were in the area- name a place specifically and I'll tell you. We walk everywhere and are easy to spot. If you even think it might be me you can come up to say hello and mention IndiaMike and that would be nice!!! I've been telling Nick that all the Western foreigners I've seen to date completely avoid my eye contact/smile and act as if I/husband don't exist in their personal India. How totally bizarre! Everyone who actually lives here has been extremely helpful, kind and fun! Last night we got baptized by the flood of Chennai- soaked to the bone, striding thru filthy water above our knees but had more fun being alive than I've had in a very long time!!!! The tiny restaurant we went to was AMAZING and I threw out all advice to the winds and enjoyed the chutneys. I'm here to write about it. I don't get to computer other than at Reliance Center so will check back on this thread later- perhaps tomorrow.

Dec 20th, 2007, 12:11	#38
PLaneMad Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 55	i was all drenched and miserable and came for a quick bite at sandheepa on ttk road. saw a foreign couple walk in, the girl in a salwar. only when i came back and read this,it hit me it could have been you.

Dec 20th, 2007, 18:16	#41
mairangi_vice Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 284	speaking of floods in Chennai, the ever efficient road crew has been working to fix a blocked drain by my office, they have spent all day pumping out the water, which has moved 100m down the street to create another flood above the next blocked drain! perhaps tomorrow they will fix that and the flood will move to the next drain, and eventually along to the sea! not a big help when you have to walk through it to get home!

Dec 21st, 2007, 12:19	#43
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,818	Rain over. There'll be water shortages by the end of next week. That's Chennai.

Feb 6th, 2008, 21:42	#44
crowgirl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Minneapolis, MN USA Posts: 162	As an afterthought on this old post: I found all the items I was looking for but nary a small carved wooden tiger to be found. I was quite disappointed as carved elephants were EVERYWHERE but never saw an elephant in person while in India any more than I saw a real life tiger. Looks like I'm gonna have to take up whittlin' wood myself. I'm saying the above- as when we were in Chennai I was told that elephants are common. It's odd that so many people here in US associate Bengal tigers/Bay of Bengal with South India and then one goes there and its like the tiger never existed. The only tigers I seem to have heard about while there were the Sri Lankans. Anyway- a Big Thanks to all who pointed the way to the items I requested- your help was right on -very, very appreciated and a great success as everyone here at home loved their gifts!

Feb 6th, 2008, 22:30	#45
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,818	If you'd reminded me about your tiger, I bet I could have found you one...

User Name		Remember Me?
Password