new to chennai

gertie · Dec 11th, 2006, 21:14

Hello,

Thought I'd stop by and introduce myself after lurking about for far too long.

I am from Australia and I have just arrived in Chennai for a year. I have been reading with interest for a while now, there is so much useful info on this site, its fab.
Anyone got any general 'welcome to chennai' tips? Anything I should know?!
I'm sure I'll be posting here over the coming months, so I'll see you round!

Gertie

Sama · Dec 11th, 2006, 21:50

Welcome to Indimike, gertie!

and our resident ex-pat in Chennai, Nick, will be along shortly to give you some information!

Nick-H · Dec 11th, 2006, 22:04

Today's Hot Tip...

The Music season is on. Check The Hindu newspaper for daily listings.

If you know carntic music, pick and choose. If you don't, try one or two!

Tell us why you have come to Chennai, and what your interests are?

gertie · Dec 11th, 2006, 22:29

Thanks for the welcome yogagal and Nick.

My other half is working here, so I am, as one relocation agency put it, a 'trailing partner'. Only slightly offended by their terminology, lol. I have enrolled in an open uni distance ed course to do while I am here, but its only about 10 hrs a week, so not really enough to keep me out of trouble!

I will look for some volunteer opportunities I think. I need something where I can meet people, make friends, socialise etc.

I've never heard carnatic (?sp) music Nick, but it sounds interesting.

And can anyone point me in the direction of a good furniture store? We are supposedly moving in to our apartment soon and we don't have a bed... I'd rather not sleep on the floor!!!

Cheers,
Gertie

rangss · Dec 11th, 2006, 22:34

Regarding furniture...which part of Chennai is your apartment?

gertie · Dec 11th, 2006, 22:46

Hi rangss,

It is in Alwarpet which I think is fairly central?

Ideally I'd like an iron/metal bed frame for now, then a bit later on I'll buy some more bits.

Gertie

LArkitekt · Dec 11th, 2006, 22:48

other day i was in nungambakam, forgot the street name...but ask anyone, its near "barista cafe": and across the street from auroville emporium, a modern furniture store, mostly european designs...looked good but probably a little expensive...it the company pays for it :0)..if you walked around that neighborhood there are lots of other boutiquey stores there too..

you just missed "the other festival"....i saw this one, was interesting..noticed mostly expatriates or NRIs

http://www.theotherfestival.com/details.html

if you are into tennis, chennai open is coming in january i guess and might feature a couple of big names like nadal...

its funny that they have "australian network" tv channel in cable in chennai.

Digital Drifter · Dec 11th, 2006, 23:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by gertie

I've never heard carnatic (?sp) music Nick, but it sounds interesting.

Nooooooooooooooooooooo! What the Opera and Pavarotti is to your ears, that's Carnatic music. A couple of people yelling and keening as if they have been kicked in the privates.

Don't go there. It's actually a geriatics association much like the opera crowd back home.

*there, I managed to offend everyone, simultaneously.

Nick-H · Dec 11th, 2006, 23:08

The big furniture area is Royapettah. There's a modern place called Modfurn, I think.

Nearer you:

You could check the exhibition on at the community centre hall in CP Ramaswamy street just now for expensive carved wood stuff. Be wary! In my experience these 'exhibition-cum-sales' can be expensivce compared to to other places.

There's also a big furniture showroom down TTK road towards Park Sheraton, I think that'll be on the corner of Abhiramapuram 4th st.

Oh, there's Lifestyle, right in the middle of Alwarpet --- although I found their furniture overpriced and not so well made.

For reproduction stuff there is a nice Kashmiri place in Chalmiers Road.

...And yes, I live almost in the same area!!!

Oh, biggest hint of all: get the Eicher Chennai City Map and you'll never be lost again. Everything except the smallest streets is there.

One of my neighbours was involved in 'the other festival'. she gave me tickets but I didn't make it. I would have liked to see the British folk singers!

Carnatic is sometimes spelt Karnatic. that's my music scene.

DD... was that you behind us this evening, humming off-shruti and clapping off talam?

It is true to say that Chennai classical music audiences can't behave

. They are a real pain in the backside, with their chattering an nuisance making. Especially the older, deafer ones, of which there are many

If you like Indian music give it a try. Give it a try anyway! If you like it your Chennai entertainment. problems are over, as it goes on all year here

ISN · Dec 11th, 2006, 23:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by gertie

Anyone got any general 'welcome to chennai' tips? Anything I should know?!
I'm sure I'll be posting here over the coming months, so I'll see you round!
Gertie

If you post your interest then you will get lots of suggestions.

Digital Drifter · Dec 11th, 2006, 23:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

DD... was that you behind us this evening, humming off-shruti and clapping off talam?

hmmmmpf.....you don't have to get personal here. I may get the talam wrong but I do know where the vadai and tea are really good during the breaks

gertie · Dec 11th, 2006, 23:29

Thanks for the info on the furniture stores. I will give them a try tomorrow - after I buy a street map!

DD, you had me laughing! I do love opera though, so who knows?! Maybe carnatic is for me!

ISN, at this point my interests are getting out of this hotel and into my apartment, finding where to buy groceries etc. My thought processes haven't made it much past there! But I realise how difficult it is to answer if I don't give some info about myself.

I love going to the gym/playing sport/keeping fit etc, I'd like to learn Tamil and maybe some more Hindi (if there are Hindi tutors in Chennai

), I'm interested in doing some yoga, my partner wants to continue with karate, I like long walks along the beach, a good glass of red etc etc lol.

I travel a lot, so I'd like to see some of TN whilst I'm here, as well as Sri Lanka etc.

Hope this helps.

Gertie

ISN · Dec 11th, 2006, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by gertie

I love going to the gym/playing sport/keeping fit etc, I'd like to learn Tamil and maybe some more Hindi (if there are Hindi tutors in Chennai ), I'm interested in doing some yoga, my partner wants to continue with karate, I like long walks along the beach, a good glass of red etc etc lol.

You can start by getting Yellow Pages book, and start visiting to local places. There are lots of places you can visit from Chennai, so take your time and have fun in Chennai.

Nick-H · Dec 12th, 2006, 00:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by gertie

Thanks for the info on the furniture stores. I will give them a try tomorrow - after I buy a street map!

Possibly the Higginbothams branch underneath Nilgiris supermarket in CP Ramaswamy Road might have it, otherwise I suggest Fountainhead bookshop, Dr Radakrishnan Salai. More or less on the way to Royapettah!

UPDATE... went in that Higginbothams branch the other day and it seemed to be full of nothing but old books. Don't know what happened to the business. Note that I am not talking about the head office, India's oldest bookshop, in Anna Salai.

LArkitekt · Dec 13th, 2006, 14:17

i cant believe how over-priced modern gyms are in chennai!....that was almost twice as much i used to pay back in los angeles.

gyms like maverick, fitness one costs Rs. 2000+ per month, if i'm not mistaken...the rickety outdoor so called gym here in madurai only cost me Rs.25 (thats hundred times lesser)....cant beat that

...any recommendations in chennai?

next time i'm in chennai i would love to hook up with a tennis partner and hit some preferably on hard court...let me know if any1 up for it...

Dec 11th, 2006, 21:14	#1
gertie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 156	new to chennai Hello, Thought I'd stop by and introduce myself after lurking about for far too long. I am from Australia and I have just arrived in Chennai for a year. I have been reading with interest for a while now, there is so much useful info on this site, its fab. Anyone got any general 'welcome to chennai' tips? Anything I should know?! I'm sure I'll be posting here over the coming months, so I'll see you round! Gertie Last edited by machadinha : Jan 20th, 2007 at 06:45. Reason: moved to "moving to chennai" forum

Dec 11th, 2006, 21:50	#2
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 6,431	Welcome to Indimike, gertie! and our resident ex-pat in Chennai, Nick, will be along shortly to give you some information! __________________ *MY INDIA, 2005-2008* "Once you have felt the Indian dust, you will never be free of it." (Rumer Godden, 1975)

Dec 11th, 2006, 22:34	#5
rangss Bulk Carrier Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,846	Regarding furniture...which part of Chennai is your apartment? __________________ ...and I took the road less travelled.

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
Chennai, Bangalore, Mangalore, Trivandrum, Chennai Motorbike trip	milemuncher	Buses, Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Bicycles	3	Jun 28th, 2006 12:43
In chennai	abhishek2k90	Chennai (Madras)	12	Apr 23rd, 2006 17:31
Fun in chennai	gopalk	Chennai (Madras)	1	Jan 10th, 2006 01:28
Chennai Anyone?	Tan0381	India Travel Partners	6	Apr 20th, 2005 13:54
is there a must see in chennai???	yogivivek	Chennai (Madras)	8	Oct 10th, 2004 13:09

Dec 11th, 2006, 22:04	#3
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	Today's Hot Tip... The Music season is on. Check The Hindu newspaper for daily listings. If you know carntic music, pick and choose. If you don't, try one or two! Tell us why you have come to Chennai, and what your interests are?

Dec 11th, 2006, 22:29	#4
gertie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 156	Thanks for the welcome yogagal and Nick. My other half is working here, so I am, as one relocation agency put it, a 'trailing partner'. Only slightly offended by their terminology, lol. I have enrolled in an open uni distance ed course to do while I am here, but its only about 10 hrs a week, so not really enough to keep me out of trouble! I will look for some volunteer opportunities I think. I need something where I can meet people, make friends, socialise etc. I've never heard carnatic (?sp) music Nick, but it sounds interesting. And can anyone point me in the direction of a good furniture store? We are supposedly moving in to our apartment soon and we don't have a bed... I'd rather not sleep on the floor!!! Cheers, Gertie

Dec 11th, 2006, 22:46	#6
gertie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 156	Hi rangss, It is in Alwarpet which I think is fairly central? Ideally I'd like an iron/metal bed frame for now, then a bit later on I'll buy some more bits. Gertie

Dec 11th, 2006, 22:48	#7
LArkitekt Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In Transit Posts: 127	other day i was in nungambakam, forgot the street name...but ask anyone, its near "barista cafe": and across the street from auroville emporium, a modern furniture store, mostly european designs...looked good but probably a little expensive...it the company pays for it :0)..if you walked around that neighborhood there are lots of other boutiquey stores there too.. you just missed "the other festival"....i saw this one, was interesting..noticed mostly expatriates or NRIs http://www.theotherfestival.com/details.html if you are into tennis, chennai open is coming in january i guess and might feature a couple of big names like nadal... its funny that they have "australian network" tv channel in cable in chennai.

Dec 11th, 2006, 23:08	#9
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	The big furniture area is Royapettah. There's a modern place called Modfurn, I think. Nearer you: You could check the exhibition on at the community centre hall in CP Ramaswamy street just now for expensive carved wood stuff. Be wary! In my experience these 'exhibition-cum-sales' can be expensivce compared to to other places. There's also a big furniture showroom down TTK road towards Park Sheraton, I think that'll be on the corner of Abhiramapuram 4th st. Oh, there's Lifestyle, right in the middle of Alwarpet --- although I found their furniture overpriced and not so well made. For reproduction stuff there is a nice Kashmiri place in Chalmiers Road. ...And yes, I live almost in the same area!!! Oh, biggest hint of all: get the Eicher Chennai City Map and you'll never be lost again. Everything except the smallest streets is there. One of my neighbours was involved in 'the other festival'. she gave me tickets but I didn't make it. I would have liked to see the British folk singers! Carnatic is sometimes spelt Karnatic. that's my music scene. DD... was that you behind us this evening, humming off-shruti and clapping off talam? It is true to say that Chennai classical music audiences can't behave . They are a real pain in the backside, with their chattering an nuisance making. Especially the older, deafer ones, of which there are many If you like Indian music give it a try. Give it a try anyway! If you like it your Chennai entertainment. problems are over, as it goes on all year here

Dec 11th, 2006, 23:29	#12
gertie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 156	Thanks for the info on the furniture stores. I will give them a try tomorrow - after I buy a street map! DD, you had me laughing! I do love opera though, so who knows?! Maybe carnatic is for me! ISN, at this point my interests are getting out of this hotel and into my apartment, finding where to buy groceries etc. My thought processes haven't made it much past there! But I realise how difficult it is to answer if I don't give some info about myself. I love going to the gym/playing sport/keeping fit etc, I'd like to learn Tamil and maybe some more Hindi (if there are Hindi tutors in Chennai ), I'm interested in doing some yoga, my partner wants to continue with karate, I like long walks along the beach, a good glass of red etc etc lol. I travel a lot, so I'd like to see some of TN whilst I'm here, as well as Sri Lanka etc. Hope this helps. Gertie

Dec 13th, 2006, 14:17	#15
LArkitekt Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In Transit Posts: 127	i cant believe how over-priced modern gyms are in chennai!....that was almost twice as much i used to pay back in los angeles. gyms like maverick, fitness one costs Rs. 2000+ per month, if i'm not mistaken...the rickety outdoor so called gym here in madurai only cost me Rs.25 (thats hundred times lesser)....cant beat that ...any recommendations in chennai? next time i'm in chennai i would love to hook up with a tennis partner and hit some preferably on hard court...let me know if any1 up for it...