Where to stay in Chennai, close to KYM? and MAPS!

Hey yogagal and any others that may have some suggestions:

I'm heading to Chennai for the month of December. I'll be studying at KYM for 2 of those 4 weeks. The other 2 weeks are open to exploring, travelling, etc. A few folks here mentioned that you're (yogagal) currently studying there, and I'd love some practical advice about where you're staying.

I've been in touch with the New Woodlands (waiting to hear back), but I don't know if I should reserve a single for the entire month, or maybe just for the first week so I can make changes once I get there, you know, find a roommate, or shift around. I've heard things get booked in Chennai. Any thoughts about this idea of shifting after I arrive? Part of me just wants a homebase from the getgo, but that's the control freak in me rearing it's not-too-ugly head...

My other idea was to try to find an apartment to rent so I'd have a kitchen to prepare some of my own food. But, I can't seem to nail down where these places are in relation to Mylapore and KYM and I don't want to stay too far away. any suggestions?

any suggestions about where to get some GOOD Detailed on-line maps on Chennai? Paris has limited options to say the least, and ordering delivery always takes an eternity. The maps will probably arrive a month after I've left for india!

I've read through a few of your posts and in fact this entire forum is just fuelling my excitement!! any thoughts you may have would be greatly appreciated.

No maps online that I know of, but one very good atlas The Eicher Chennai Atlas Which I really recommend you to get before you go so thatyou can study and get your bearings. I love this book, because it made Chennai accesible to me.

From the same company you can get the MapCue Digital Chennai on a CD which is also great, as it will do basic searches and routes.

Yes, it is worth the courier charge, but given the postal cost you might just as well buy the two items. The CD has even more detail in some places, but you won't be carrying a laptop on the street, so, at least, go for the book.

Unfortunately GoogleMaps isn't there yet!

goldenyogi, I sent you a private message with my real email address. send me an email this weekend with your questions, I will give you the scoop. I leave Chennai tomorrow....it was an honor and a privilege to study at KYM....

shanti

this is great, exactly what I need. I LOVE MAPS! I'm going to get my cousin in Calcutta to order this map for me.

You can just buy online: that's what I did from UK.

Goldenyogi

Booking at New Woodlands isn't like over here, you can book it for a whole month then if you decide to go elsewhere later just pay your bill and go. I think, unless you find an apartment to share or a room somewhere, you'll find that KYM is definitely the best place to stay. The rooms are good, the food's great (and not too expensive) and it's only a short auto ride to KYM.

Are you going for the women's course that's on in December? You'll have a great time there anyway, some really amazing teachers there. Please do post about your trip once you've been, I'd love to reminisce a bit.

Cheers,

Scott

Do a google on http://images.google.com for chennai maps
you should get a decent map though may not be very detailed.
shetty

thanks for your responses. all totally helpful.

Hi i am going too! Is there any way you can give me some info on where to stay??? HOW much?? bla blabla.. Im kind of nervous.

check out mapmyindia.com, it has zoomable street maps of all of india, its a great resource.

you can ask KYM where to stay. they have all that information. many students stay at The Woodlands.

Oh im sorry I thought you did the program and was wondering where you stayed. I was hoping any one could give me infromation or some inisght about Chennai and what is to be expected ect. no worries. I am a bit nrevous. I have never been to India.

Is that close to the KYM? I looked that up it was a bit pricy

yes, I do go to KYM every year. as I said, I suggest you ask KYM for recommendations as there is really no place that is "close", i.e., within walking distance, to KYM. well, I consider a 10 or 15 minute walk "close".

if you are doing the month-long intensive next year, KYM can give you suggestions on renting an apartment for a month, maybe with some other students. KYM has a list of places they recommend, just ask them for it.

you can also try
Hotel Karpagam +91 44 2495 99864
Krishna Residency +91 44 24643617, 24641223

these are two small hotels in Mylapore, a neighborhood in Chennai that will be about a 10-15 minute walk to KYM. I was in Chennai in March 2006 and at that time the Hotel Karpagam rates ran about 700 rupees/night.

I am actually doing it this December. I went to a workshop and was really impressed about the teaching of the sutra. I have been teaching yoga for 4 years and really want to learn more
Since this is so sudden I am kind of wondering how much i need to plan.
I applogize for all the questions. I saw how helpful you were to another person on here. I was hoping to get in contact with her and ask what she was planning, since she is going the same time.
thanks