For our final day in Pondicherry the team decided to take up a new skill by enrolling in a group surf lesson! We went to Serene Beach as early as we could manage and signed up for a class at the Guru Surf School. We spent the next 2 and a half hour absolutely shredding the gnar until we were pros. We have collectively decided to take our PUC reunion trip to Portugal to chase some real waves.
That may have been a bit of an exaggeration, but we did have a lot of fun learning how to surf like the locals and of course finding even more shells to bring home with us. In addition to the hermit crabs we met, the team also managed to make some furry friends at the surf shop. If you hear a meow coming from Claire's carry on ... no you didn't.
For lunch we ate at a restaurant recommended by our fearless technical advisor, Ken, who had already been to Pondicherry on a previous PUC trip. We ate at a french restaurant near the Promenade Beach called the Coromandle. Here we feasted on pastas, pizzas, classic Indian dishes, milkshakes, and the best teas I've had in India so far. It was the perfect last team meal.
After lunch the team took a walk around the strand until we came upon a handmade bazaar. We spent an hour wandering the halls and looking at all the incredible handmade souvenirs (and spending a pretty penny too, but its okay because we're apartment shopping).
Afterwards we all went back to the hotel to pack up. As wonderful as our trip was it couldn't last forever. Our last action item before we left Pondicherry was to stock up on Indian desserts. Our cultural advisor, Tarun, led half the team to a sweets shop a few blocks from the hotel and showed us everything he knew about Indian desserts. David and Katelyn got candies to bring back to their families and the rest of us got just enough candies to last the ride home (which is a lot more than you'd expect). After our excursion we said goodbye to David and Katelyn. We hit the road for Senduri and they went back to the hotel to prepare for their flights back to the US. Although our time with you guys was cut short (they just had to get back for their silly little grown up internships, geez) the team really wouldn't be the same without you. Hope you have safe travels, we'll see you soon!
Sophie
PUC India 2022