At the beach, you can tell when that is. Activity increases. The incessant noise of boys ringing bells as they walk past to entice to you buy cotton candy announces that the time for acivity has returned. At the same time, the ice cream vendors will return and hang about with their carts until the sun goes down for the evening. Then another group of vendors arrive selling trinkets and trash that appeal to children and tourists.
There is, like all tourist areas, the sheisters out selling. In this case, it is often young gypsie children who have a collection of small sewn bags that they try to sell. They can be quite persistent. If that doesn't work, they will look longingly at whatevere you are eating and obviously seek that. Should that fail, they will then try t engage you in conversation - anything to hold on in the hope that they can loosen something from you. Firm No and go away are the tourists only denfence.
While watching the beach, I became aware of an exception in the vendor community. This was an older gentleman who was setting up for the afternoon. He sells flavoured beans. While his was not a pretty cart, he took great pride in it. He cleaned it thoroughly and then, very carefully, laid out his offerings. The piles of beans needed to be in properly laid out stacks which he carefully prepared.
The bean vendor spicing his wares for the afternoon sale
There is also the pride of the street. He is a beauty that wanders the neighbourhood with his couterie in search of food. On this occasion, a lady took pity and dumped out food for them which they quickly gathered up.
The cock of the walk
We also had the opportunity to visit Hope which is one of the very early communities in Auroville. The name was given by the "Mother" who is one of the two spiritual founders of Auroville. Here, they take old furniture that is found in various places. The locals have been taught to restore it which they do quite well.
Worker starting to refinish a piece
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