Day 0, Journey to Auroville

This blog reports 2024 International Project team's everyday adventures in Auroville, India.  This year's team is comprised of seven students from Queen’s University. Unfortunately, only six -- Tara, Caley, Maeve, Chloe, Spencer and Dan -- could travel to India. We wrote this blog in part for our seventh member, Wendy, and in part to share our story with you. 


Day 0, Journey to Auroville

The team departed for Auroville after months of preparation. The six of us flew from Toronto to Dubai and finally Chennai. When we made it to Dubai, we were informed that a cyclone had touched down in Chennai. We pushed on, not knowing if the next time we got wifi we would be told to hunker down in Chennai or allowed to make the drive to Auroville. 


We made the drive. But not without a few mishaps. From dodging animals, the sheer volume of traffic and vibrant sights and sounds, Nothing says welcome to India like a post- cyclone 3 hour adrenaline fueled car ride. Highlights include Caley providing moral support to the driver while he drove (boated?) through multiple stretches of road overtaken by water, Chloe using her hands as a make shift bowl and Spencer befriending the cab driver and getting invited to go cycling. 

Tired, hungry and sleep deprived, we made it to Auoroville roughly 23 hours after taking off from Toronto. 

Quote of the day:

Lalit: Today is a holiday. 

Caley: Oh, what holiday? 

Lalit: Post cyclone- A natural disaster induced holiday.

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