Sightseeing Day Take II!

As these sightseeing days are “optional” not many made it out for the second round. However, I look at traveling like an extreme sport and if I’m not physically and emotionally exhausted by the end of the trip I feel I haven’t made the most of it. No rest for the wicked. Besides, I’ll never be able to see India like this again. So pop a few Ibuprofen, grab a bottle of water and hit the bumpy road.

Our group today consisted of Al, Tod, Teresa, Mary, Maleah, Jing, Nancy, A.R. (our fearless leader, of course) and Myself.

The first temple we visited, Somanathapura (Somnathpur), was nestled in a small village on lush, green grounds. We met a group of students who we took pictures with outside the temple before it opened.

Inside we didn’t have a tour guide so we were able to explore and appreciate the fine craftsmanship of this very well preserved temple for ourselves. While Maleah and I were walking around we were spotted by an Indian family visiting the temple. The patriarch of the family urged his youngest to go over and stand by us so he could take a picture of his family with us. The shy children reluctantly came up to us and we made the typical exchange in English, “where are you from” “what is your name”. The father took out his 35mm camera and took pictures of us with his whole family. Everyone we met at this temple was so sweet to us and extremely friendly.

Our next stop made my day! We went to a river beach where the locals were swimming! We rolled up our pants and waded in the water which was pretty shallow and warm from the sun. It felt incredibly refreshing. A.R. paid for our group to take two “boats” across the river for Rs. 10 each. Best 25 cents ever spent! We sat cross-legged four to a boat and poled across the shallow river.

After our boat ride Mary and I stayed wading in the water enjoying our surroundings. It was interesting to see the Indians segregate themselves between males and females. On the left were the men and boys who swam in their pants with no shirt and the women and girls bathed in their beautifully colored saris. Some girls came up to us and asked if we wanted to play with them, we reluctantly said no, we should be getting back to our group (A.R. runs quite a tight ship). As we turned to leave we felt a little splash on our back. Not ones to turn down a challenge, or some fun, we splashed back and escaladed it into energizing splash-fest with our new Indian friends. We unwillingly went back to our group on the beach dripping wet but with smiles on our faces.

Maleah and I bought some comfort foods from some vendors along the side of the road for the bus ride: sour cream and onion lays and some Coke. RE-FRESHING!

We rode up to the bluffs where there was not only a brightly colored temple but a breath-taking view of the river valley.

Destitute old women from the near by villages lined the painted steps which led to the colorful temple. This newer temple is painted in a very paint-by-number fashion (much like my horrible bald eagle and fire dream tattoo… thankfully it was just a dream!). I didn’t find is quite as interesting as the intricately carved temples, but it was nice for a contrast.

We had our picnic lunch for the day here. Bread, butter cheese, bananas, apples and rum cake. Thankfully Al brought us crunchy peanut butter so I had a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Yum! Protein!

The waterfalls were our net stop. By this time of the day it was pretty hot and looking at the water just made me thirsty and want to go swimming. They were really beautiful, but apparently it’s like a little Niagra after monsoon season.

A.R. bought us cold 7ups at the out door café and at that moment after using the filthy, non-western, toilets, it was probably the most refreshing 7up I’ve ever had. We also ordered a dosa because they smelled SO good.