Mamallapuram

I left a small fishing village called Mamallapuram yesterday where some of the most talented rock carvers in the world live. As I was yelling at a tout trying to lead me to a room, I noticed two girls speaking American english out in front of a shop. They told me they both volunteer in a smaller fishing village 20km away. Then the shop owner showed up, a 24 year old guy named Mani who is a genius when it comes to stone carvings and sculptures. He's been doing it for twelve years!

Every time I went to visit him he wanted me to sit down, talk, and have tea. I was cautious at first, but he's a totally genuine guy and even teaches people to make pennants and other simple things. I hung out there for hours, and watching him turn a piece of stone into a statue is amazing. I also met a couple (David and Stephanie) from Hawaii. When I asked them where people from India think they are from, they both answered Japan without missing a beat. We went to hang out with the locals one night after the bar closed to have a bonfire on the beach. It was more like just a fire. The party broke up when a couple of guys started to fight over one of the (white) girls. Up until that point things were cool.

The whole Japanese thing has been bothering me a bit. I've been thinking about why, and here is the answer I came up with. First it's usually somebody I don't want to talk to, but more importantly it's cause I'm not Japanese nor do I look anything like any other Japanese person I've ever met. It's the same way I felt when I was younger and some ignorant ass thought I was Chinese. Every time someone yells "hey konichi-ba" I feel like telling them to fuck off. Most of the time I just shake my head and say I'm not Japanese, then usually they start following me and sputing off as many Asian countries they can name (usually repeating a few) without ever saying Vietnam, but then I'm American so they're way off.

This way supposed to turn into another bitch session about how I think the Indian government and the British are responsible for all that's wrong with India, but I don't feel like doing that right now. Maybe next time.