Hello from Madurai

littlered

Hi everyone,

I'm a new member to the forum. I just reached Madurai a week ago from the US. I am a business student here for the summer working as an intern for an NGO-Corporate partnership. I've been to India before, but mainly the big cities, so I'm finding myself to be pretty overwhelmed by this city where few people speak English. Does anyone have any suggestions for how I might spend my time outside of work. I'd like to travel on the weekends, but not sure how likely that will be given the 6 day work week. Any advice on how to fight the feeling of isolation is greatly appreciated.

Warmly,
Litte Red

Swapnil

Welcome to IM Litte Red ...I thought south-Indian people are more educated & know English...but seems otherwise...

ananda2193

One day free doesn't really give you many options. There's some nice little day trips a few miles outside of Madurai that you could do. Look here http://www.madurai.com/
If you check the "how to get there section and check Bus timings, it's only like 4 hours to places like Rameswarem, Kodaikanal and Thekkady. You could leave on a late afternoon bus and come back the next night. Plus also ask the people where your interning.

mazha

A few places to see near Madurai: Rameshwaram (not to be missed), Kodaikanal, Gandhigram, Pazhani, Kuttalam

Company: Gandhigram people would know other expats working/volunteering in the area.

machadinha

For more trips in the vicinity, you could see if this series holds any handy titles for you: http://www.outlooktraveller.com/bookhome.aspx . My usual disclaimer: no, I don't own any stocks in them, no, I've never even used them, but yes, I hear they're good They have a lot of interesting online material as well, including what looks to be their entire magazine contents.

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Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links