Who is in town

Chennai becomes white. Two years ago, when we landed in the city, there was hardly any white face around. In the five star hotel, which was our first destination, we were even the only ones.
Today you are seeing them in the shopping centers, cycling with their bikes in the streets, on the backseats of Rikshas, they are everywhere and Chennai is getting really "cosmopolitan".

You find them:

a) In the restaurants of five star hotels
b) At Ideal beach resort on Sundays
c) In their offices during the week
d) In the clubs, such as Madras club
e) In the American school dropping their kids - Number 1 best seller
f) In shops, where you buy western life style
g) Birthday parties of kids - Number 2 bestseller


Most of the expats are here with their families and I did not get to know any singles here, as I imagine, life must be incredible boring for a single person. Lets see then, which nationalities are around (whom I know off):

There are two Austrians in town, but lots of Germans. Germans have a big consulate in town and quite a few of the companies (Durr, BMW, BBraun, etc...) have come in with production entities to Chennai. The highlight of the year is the consulate organized German Night, which used to happen around beginning of February and is definitely a social highlight in town and really fun! Watch out for the next one in 2008!

There are bunch of Koreans here as well, as Hyundai and their suppliers have occupied large production facilities outside the town. The issue with those guys is, there are many, hardly speak English, have all Korean facilities (restaurant, etc...) here, therefore they are not mixing with other nationalities

Finns or Finishmen, or how do you actually say this? A hardly populated country in the north of Europe is sending its entire population to Chennai to produce mobile phones for their biggest best selling brand, Nokia. They dont talk much, but are warm hearted and after twenty beers definitely a laugh.

Obviously there is a huge American population as anywhere in the world, but in addtion you find as well few people from most probably all the countries in the world around. I have met, English, Irish, Danish, Dutch, French, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Norvegian, Mexican, Honduras, etc. etc. etc. etc....

It is getting more colourful in town and after a few months you would know most of them as well, as you meet the expats usually at the same places.