04 April, 2005 John's Medical Centre, Karaikudi

I've finally arrived at my destination for the next two months. I arrived in the town (the name of which I've forgotten), where the TPA head quarters are, last night at about 10:30pm. that was after a fairly uneventful car journey from Madurai that took about two hours. I spoke to the first other volunteers (other than my bed partner (Rob) and two dentists who don't count). A Dutch girl and an Irish girl who were both very friendly. Left the TPA offices this morning with Victor: possibly the most annoying man in creation. He meant well, but MY GOD! I'm so glad I only had 3 hours with him, in which I tried to sleep as much as possible. He kept playing a mix tape of nursery rhymes for kids which nearly made me leap out the window. I'll take my chances with the pavement...

We arrived here at about 5:30, and I was shown around town, met the host family and one of the volunteers (whose name I've forgotten as well). She's from Carlisle and seems OK.

Tomorrow is my first day of "work" so I'm looking forward to that, although I'm not sure how much more idli I can take, especially for breakfast! I think curry of any sort for breakfast should be illegal.

On the way from Madurai last night I saw a western man outside a building and was sure I knew him. Then I realised the building was a catholic church and the man was a statue of Jesus. Never mind.

Oh, and I killed a fuck off big cockroach (although I'm sure it was probably a baby and its mother is going to be pissed). I took some photos of the bastard too.

My room's a little like a prison cell, right down to the bars on the windows, but it's not too bad I suppose. I'll probably stay in worse places in the next few months. The beds seem clean and it has a ceiling fan and some shelves. I'm a little worried about eh switch for the fan though, which spark every time I turn it on, but then...hey! I'm insured aren't I...?