Two Beers and a Pretzel

On the morning of the 23rd I was still feeling a little quesy.  Sreekanth went on a morning jeep safari and I stayed back in the room.  Around lunchtime, our cab arrived to take us back to Mysore.  I was feeling much better.

Once in Mysore, we went straight to the doctor and the pharmacy - even though I’m pretty sure the sickness was food poisoning, and it had passed.  Again, doctor visit + medicine = $1.55.

After dropping our bags off at Sreekanth’s parents’, we went on a tour of the town to the Mysore Palace - former home of the Maharaja of Mysore.

They did not allow photography inside the palace, and there were strict policies in place to deal with violators (but the bunny somehow got away).

Outside the palace, Sreekanth was playing with his SLR - which really made me see the limits of the Canon G9 (I can’t wait to get back to my 20D and better optics).

One nice thing about being the only white guy is that you feel like a celebrity.  OK, I wasn’t the ONLY white person - I’ve counted at least 10 others in the last week.  But people all ask where you’re from, and many kids want their picture with you.

The nicities to not transfer to the autorickshaw drivers.  These guys will all try to rip you off, and once you tell them you’ll only pay using the meter, they ask you to get out.  They would rather sit there than make their standard rate.  I’ve gotten pretty good at verbally reprimanding them, because they waste my time, and seem to think that they can rip me off just because I’m a white guy.  Take me back to the tuk-tuk drivers of Bangkok.  Yes, they hassle you about massage girls and suit stores, but at least you can negoiate with them and they smile the whole time.

Next was the largest church in this part of India - the Saint Joseph’s Cathedral and Saint Philomena’s Church.  Pretty basic gothic architecture by European standars, and the stained glass was either missing, or never completed.  But the outside was pretty neat with monkey’s climbing the spires and eagles flying around.

Then we went to a temple on a large hill overlooking Mysore - home of Chamundeswari, the protector goddess of the city.

Finally, we went to the market to experience the bustle of the town.

On the 24th we caught a train back to Bangalore, and we’re getting ready for a sleeper bus for a few days in Hampi - a city on the UNESCO world heritage list.