Footprints - Sri Lanka ...
This video was taken in Agra, India ... not in Sri Lanka. I was holding my camera outside a taxi window. Not a great video, but it gives one an idea of all the different types of vehicles that are on the roads of India.
Footprints - Sri Lanka. Click the link to see maps, photos and some comments!
Footprints - South India ...
I took the above video from my hotel room balcony at the southern tip of India. It was about 6am. The sunrise isn't that exciting but listening to the morning prayer is. I was often awake in the wee hours of the morning due to prayers. I have to say, it's not a terrible way to start the day.
As promised ... Footprints - South India ... Photos of me, the people I met, maps and comments. Enjoy!
Love Letters ...
My short time in Goa was spent mostly on a beach called Colva. While wandering one morning, a guy came down from his restaurant to sell me on the place. You could use their beach chairs for the day as long as you ordered a drink or some food.
Day One:
I left there with a smile on my face and decided to go back the following day. Day two, the other guy that works in the place came down with another note plus a pen and a pad of paper.
I'd be surprised if Ganesh was a day over eighteen. Hours went by ... I swam, I ate, I read. As I was about to leave, Ganesh came running over to ask me why I didn't write back. I had to laugh. I told him it was because I wasn't in grade school and then proceeded to tell him that I am probably much older than he thinks. He didn't know exactly how to respond. I kindly thanked him and left, again, with a smile.
Day One:
I left there with a smile on my face and decided to go back the following day. Day two, the other guy that works in the place came down with another note plus a pen and a pad of paper.
I'd be surprised if Ganesh was a day over eighteen. Hours went by ... I swam, I ate, I read. As I was about to leave, Ganesh came running over to ask me why I didn't write back. I had to laugh. I told him it was because I wasn't in grade school and then proceeded to tell him that I am probably much older than he thinks. He didn't know exactly how to respond. I kindly thanked him and left, again, with a smile.
Footprints - North India ...
My mom has been quite upset that none of the photos have my face in them. It's hard to be in front of the camera when you're always behind it. And, I already know what my face looks like. Mom ... I hope you like it!
I've created an album below with some photos of myself and with some faces I met along the way. I've added some maps to show the route I took. I also wrote comments for each photo.
Click the link ... Footprints - North India
Soon to follow ... Footprints - South India and Footprints - Sri Lanka.
I've created an album below with some photos of myself and with some faces I met along the way. I've added some maps to show the route I took. I also wrote comments for each photo.
Click the link ... Footprints - North India
Soon to follow ... Footprints - South India and Footprints - Sri Lanka.
Mamallapuram ...
Every time I look at this photo, I can't help but smile. It was taken in Mamallapuram, which is known for its rock carvings. Please note the (once brown) dog on the right. Talk about noisy and dusty yet he doesn't seem to have a care in the world. I guess it's all in what we get used to.
Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu ...
Rameshwaram is a sacred island known as one of the holiest places in India. I decided to take a day trip from Madurai. It meant not having to pack up my stuff or worry about new accommodation.The temples in both places were being repainted and renovated which was disappointing. The famous temple in Rameshwaram is Ramanathaswamy Temple. The corridors, as pictured here, are 205m in length with 1212 pillars on the north and south sides.
Outside the main gate, there is a narrow strip of beach where pilgrims bathe as the water is believed to be holy. Fully clothed, people run in and soak themselves. I neglected to go in because I didn't want to stay wet for the remainder of the day ... this becomes comical a bit later.
I started to make my way to the temple when a guy whisked me away along with five others from my bus. I had my camera with me expecting to wander and have a look around. I came out with very few photos and I am about to explain why.
Before entering the inner temple, one is expected to, apparently, race around the outer temple's 22 tirthas. Each tank offers special benefits such as wisdom, long life, love and so on.
At tank number one, a man fills a bucket full of water and dumps it over my head. Now, we aren't talking about a little cup here ... we are talking a good sized bucket. By tank number seven, I was soaked from head to toe. By number fifteen, I'd just about had enough. The man was yelling two words at me, 'hello' and 'come', repeatedly. I was very looking forward to number twenty two.
Pilgrims were running through, slipping and falling on the wet temple floors and laughing with delight. I'm not sure I really got it. Standing there dripping wet, another man comes and takes me to a different part of the temple.
The inner temple didn't allow me much time either. I was rushed through all the while my forehead was being painted with white stripes and orange and red dots. And then, like that, it was over ... this guy was requesting money as he took me out of the main entrance.
Outside, the family of five looked radiant, glowing with happiness. They asked me how I felt and the only thing I could think to say was wet. It was an odd experience. Looking back now, it brings a smile to my face.
I miss the life of a traveler already ... never sure what you'll be faced with from one day to the next. As I look out my window, I remember I am in Taiwan and this is close to living a life on the road. I've been here since 2003. Settled has long set in. Perhaps, just perhaps, it's coming on that time to shake things up a little.
Photos from Hampi, My Sore and Somnathpur ...
Arriving home and starting back to work was by choice. It certainly feels nice to be bringing in money rather than spending it. India turned out to be much cheaper than I had planned for. What makes it even more amazing is that I could have done it for much, much less. Being back in Taiwan makes life seem expensive. I can't imagine the transition of going back to a place like Canada ... yikes! A big part of me would love to make a move to India as there was so much I didn't get to experience. It's a choice to look into over the next little while. I am about half way through my photos with many more to go. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to have a look through and drop me a line. Much appreciated!
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