“Sir, you’ve been upgraded to Business Class”

These are the nicest words I’ve heard today.

I’m doing transit in London, about to board my plane to Chennai, India. I was given the good news in Heathrow Airport (after my flight from Tel Aviv). But, why? Well, it might be because I won a lottery because the plane is empty, or as a good gesture to me for leaving the western world for two months. Indeed, I believe that what I’ll see in India will be extremely different, in all senses, than the lifestyles of the people in the west. But that is one of the main reasons of my trip. I think that as an economist that wants to work in development, getting to know closely developing countries such as India with such high rates of poverty incidence and all the other complexities it presents, is a must.

I’ll be for the first 10 days or so in Chennai, attending a course in Micro Finance given by the Center for Micro Finance (CMF), the organization which I’ll be working for. I don’t know much about Chennai, but from what I read in the Lonely Planet guide for India, it said something like: “There is really not much to do in Chennai. It is very hot, and there are not numerous tourists attractions”. Which in other words I think it means: “Just go if you don’t have anything else to do”. However, since I do have something to do in Chennai, I don’t feel bad. Actually I don’t think I’m looking in particular for tourists attractions, but to see and learn about real India.

Then, I’ll be heading south to Thanjavur. A small city of 250 thousand inhabitants. This, in terms of India’s population, is VERY small. I haven’t had enough time to read a lot about Thanjavur. I know it is VERY hot, and it is small. I also know that there are a few temples which are considered important tourists attractions, and that are worth seeing. In any case, I won’t be only working in Thanjavur itself, but also going to the field in villages aroudn the town, so I’m not too worried (I must admit that just a little). In any case, I think it will be a great summer. I brought with me about 10 books to read, since I guess that it is one of the few activities I will be able to do in my spare time, and – aside from that – I couldn’t read too much during this past year, so it will be an opportunity to catch up with books that have been in my bookshelf for quite some time.

One of the books I’m reading, recommended by my good friend Soham, is “In Spite of the Gods: The Rise of Modern India” by Edward Luce. It is a fascinating book. I really recommend it for all those who want a compact and well written “clear picture” of the country.

For now, I have a plane to catch, so you’ll be hearing from me pretty soon!