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Madurai, India
9° 56' N 78° 7' E
Mar 03, 2005 11:29
Distance 78km

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Other entries in Madurai

parade of saris

Text written in: English

We're in Madurai and I have some wicked fast internet right now so I thought I'd post a long message.

There is so much to say. We have been traveling primarily by local train or bus, but tomorrow we will take the "tourist bus" (Torun wanted to have a relaxing bus ride for once) to Ramaswaram (it's as close to Sri Lanka as you can get on the Indian mainland).

Today we went to a Shiva temple, one of the biggest and most important in India, definately the largest in South India. It was both amazing and difficult at the same time! Lots of people asking for money and (sometimes successfully) selling things. We got a guide who of course sent us on a trek with his "friend" who in the end convinced Torun to get a pair of trousers from his tailor shop. She needed them anyway, but I resisted. Besides, I bought an overpriced sari from the best 13 year old sales girl in India last night! We did learn a lot at the temple though, even if the guide ended up being less than honest.

Then to the Gandhi Memorial Museum, which was inspiring and had a great bookshop so I can read more about him. It was in a peaceful (you who know india know how great this is) park setting, so we wandered and had some time to think. In the museum we met some nice Indians who invited us to their house, but we are leaving tomorrow so declined. OH also we got surrounded by an entire school of children on a school trip. Then I got questioned very heavily about my religon which was difficult for the Christian headmaster to understand that I have NO religon. Then I got Evangelised for about 10 minutes all the while thinking...the Hindus didn't try to do this at their holiest of holy...

The parade of saris was on the way back in the cycle rickshaw. Let me explain that two non-Indian women in a cycle rickshaw is quite a load for a very Indian man...but he insisted! So we ended up going the long way and past a Women's college...they were all walking home for the day and it was positively beautiful! Wish I could wear a sari...but I don't think it'll happen.

Kodaikanal, as I was explaining, is beautiful, but too busy. We got tired of seeing white people so we left, now we want to see white people again (besides the American seniors at the temple).

What else to say? Oh, did I mention we are going to Varanasi soon? I won't say the exact date on here because it is kind of a bad idea to publish my travel plans on line (I learned this at Sadhana forest when I met a person who found my journal). I'm going with Torun so don't worry mom and dad!

Then I will go to the farm in Rajasthan (a bit insane considering it's a desert and it's already HOT HOT HOT).

I can't believe that over a month has gone by...there is so much to see and do that I want to stay. That reminds me...

I forgot to tell people that I will have a job in Golden when I return! Wildsight (formerly EKES) is trying to work to get some funding to hire me as an intern. It is really a dream come true for me. You can't imagine the tremendous pride I have when I can tell people here that my job at home is to "protect nature".

Of course I have been learning a lot and learning how much I have to be thankful for every day. I send warm thoughts to you all and remind you to be thankful for your life and the lives of our family and friends.

Namaste/vanakam....