Oh Chennai!

I tend to like lists. And I figured it's a great way to blog without having to put too much thought in to complete sentences.

So here's another one. The things I like and hate about Madras/Chennai:

The things I like about Chennai:
1. Pure unadulterated filter coffee. Although, you would be surprised at how often even this can go wrong.

2. Being by the sea. There's something refreshing about just staring out at the vast expanse of water. It also helps put things in perspective for me.

3. South Indian food. I can not get enough of upuma, pongal, masala dosai, naadan chicken curry and parotta, payasam and the works.

4. Being close to family. I've gotten to know my cousins better, and I get to spend a lot of time with my grandparents.

5. Being able to drive to pretty much anywhere in the city, in under 45 minutes. After Bombay, this is a HUGE deal.

Things I hate about Chennai.

1. The traffic you have to navigate to get anywhere in the city in under 45 minutes. Pure madness. The road rage has brought out the worst in me.

2. The auto drivers. They are vampires in disguise. They would sell their mothers to make an extra Rs.20.

3. The humidity. Oh the humidity. Sweat pours through every pore in your body, before you can say "idli."

4. TASMAC. Tamil Nadu Association of Something Something Alcohol Something. Sells the worst alcohol in the world. Is overpriced. Has the filthiest outlets. Makes you feel as if buying alcohol is a crime.

5. The wannabes. This city seems to have them in higher numbers than normal. Wannabe rockstars, wannabe movie stars, people with fake accents, wannabe radio stations, wannabe everything. Why can't people just be normal?