Despite attempts on every blog I've seen to describe Bangalore traffic, it really is indescribable. It took us the entire time it should have taken us to get there to get to the other edge of Bangalore, mom got carsick, and I was hanging my head in Caden's lap while he sang "it'll be ok mommy." So let's just say we didn't get there altogether in the best of spirits and had high expectations for the place.
First up was a stop at Mysore Palace. Katie wanted to ride an elephant as one of her to-do items while in India...that is, until she saw it. But a gentle reminder from big sister that this was one of the reasons we'd driven about 1,000 hours in a tiny, erraticly moving vehicle...and she'd better get her butt on the darn elephant...NOW. Mom joined her and Caden...and they were off. As usual, Caden was squeeling in delight and enjoying every minute.
Arguably, the other two riders on the elephant were not so delighted. And tried in vain to convince the "guide" that the short route would be fine. They got the full circle and a lesson that terrified looks and desperate pleas to make it stop don't always translate.
I thought this picture told it all. Only one looking back like there might be any chance for more. Me, taking the picture, thinking "good - mission one down."
And then a tour of the palace, which is pretty cool. Designed by Henry Irving in 1897, it was again a very oppulent structure in a town that showed little sign of oppulance.
And they had tigers outside, maybe a reference to Tipu Sultan who ruled there in the 18th century. Anyhow they were a hit with the boys.
Of course there was also the temple.
Given the late arrival in Mysore, it was already past time for lunch. The first place we stopped really failed to meet expectations such that we left after our drinks arrived 30 minutes later. Given we were the ONLY people in the place at high lunch time...the signs were definitely all there. So we tranferred across town to a place called the Lalhit Mahal. Not sure of the history here, but it was again an oasis clean and posh place in the middle of nowhere.
We enjoyed a very good lunch and a few mai tais and again felt our frayed spirits repairing. All of us were of course just trying to repress the thought of getting in the car to go home as we debated which of the sights we should try to see in our shortened time span.
Caden offered to pay for lunch, joining in the "I'll buy" debate insistently. When asked how he planned to do that, he replied "with Grandma's credit card." Well, there you go. Smart kid.
After lunch, we decided to go up Chamundi Hill to have a look at the Chamundeshvari temple and the town. It was a fun stop and a little insight into the surroundings. Katie and I especially enjoyed the helpful signs directing behavior...like this one. I don't understand Kannada but I'm guessing this says "don't poop here, so you don't eat it." I also appreciate the respect for the environment, evidenced by the "Plasitc free-zone" sign.
As it started to rain, we headed out. Katie wanted a silk scarf she'd noticed on the way in. Confident I could help her bargain (or at least try), we approached the vendor and asked how much. When he replied "20"...all I could do was ask without trying to laugh "rupees?". Lokesh jumped in and negotiated 15 rupees, saving us from paying 50 cents per silk scarf and talking the merchant down to 75 cents for two.Which is good, because the silk factory was closed. We weren't altogether that disappointed and headed the long trek home.
And after about nine hours in the car that day, I vowed never to go to Mysore again. I think it lives up to its name. But upon arriving in Banglore, we were met with one of the great things about life here in India. Ms. Pinto had come to cook supper, and neatly laid out on the counter upon our arrival was a fully home-cooked, hot Indian meal. So at least we had a happy ending.
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