ParentNet

This past weekend was wonderful for me, apart from a bit of flu that I have picked up. Leaving Bangalore with a group of ten other students (French, German, and Americans) I went to the now familiar bus stop and was off to Mysore once again. At the bus station we picked up a solo traveler, a French woman named Karen, and made our group a lovely dozen. Chattering away, the three-hour bus ride passed uneventful, and we arrived in Mysore in good spirits. It was decided prior to leaving that we would rent a van to continue our trip, instead of worrying about other buses and such. We procured such a van, with a very amiable driver, and that is where the real fun began. It was more of a mini-bus than a van, and became known as the party bus, not because of wild behavior but because the driver had tons of Indian music videos that he played at top volume during the drive.

From Mysore, we headed to Kushinagar. Our goal: The elephant reserve. (I have included a picture of myself hugging the trunk of one of the elephants.) It was a very cool experience. First, we had to raft across the water to get to the elephants, and then once there I (like most of the others) was amazed at being close to these incredible animals outside of a zoo or circus. Their skin has a very unique texture that I have never felt before and is hard to even explain. One of the girls had made the comment that she would like to have an elephant in her back yard. Without thinking, most of us agreed instantly. Another girl has the same affliction as I do, the need to think about things in-depth though, so we then set about discussing the realities of such a thing. For instance, food would be an enormous expense and elephants are herd animals so you could never own just one. They can also live to be eighty, which would be one huge commitment. Some people don’t live that long- could you imagine including an elephant in your inheritance!?!? Unfortunately I think I will have to settle for the miniature silver elephant I purchased at a trinket store the other day.

After we left the reserve, we headed out to trek through the jungle. I did not participate as I was feeling atrocious, but I saw the pictures and it looked amazing. The group saw a lot of monkeys as well as other animals and even crossed a rope-swing bridge. If I had not been asleep in the van, I’m sure I would have loved it!

We then spent the night at Rajavillas, where we rented two house-type of dwellings. They were very colorful and cute. The place also had an outdoor restaurant where we sat in the evening and had a bonfire. There was a large family gathering there of Chinese and Indians as a wedding had just taken place, so we danced with the other group and had an all-around good night. In the morning we laid around in hammocks and had bread omlettes (more common in India than plain omlettes) Basically the eggs are cooked and then just draped over a piece of bread. Simple and delicious! : ) We were also served chai and coffee (India style) before departing.

The rest of the trip was just driving, saying farewell to Karen and our driver- both of whom we had become quite attached to, and catching a bus back to Bangalore. The bus ride was hilarious as we played common games from our childhoods to help pass the time. It seems that regardless of where we go, there are good times to be had. I am constantly grateful to have such a wonderful and diverse group to travel with. Even when I was feeling a bit under, there were still laughs aplenty. Just this morning I was talking with a fellow student and observed that while in India I have experienced happiness despite illness- what a wonderful and valuable lesson to learn! I’m ready to be at full steam again though haha, so hopefully I will let you know in my next article how wonderfully healthy I’m feeling!!!