Hampi and the Boys

So his name is Raghu and he a wonderful local from Hospet showing himself as one of the greatest hosts I have ever met (Can you tell?). Somewhere in here explains why.

I am traveling with Sahana from Bangalore to Hospet, a town just outside the Indian ancient ruins of Hampi. We arrive early in the morning and met by Raghu who escorts us to our hotel, takes us to a restaurant, then joins us on the bus to Hampi. He is polite and genuine, a little unusual to the normal stranger I meet in India. We had a guide take us through history lessons, a stage show with traditional Hindi music, and an awesome outdoor play that sort of resembles a Shakespeare.

Bus to Hampi...kinda full.

The next day, however, the fact that men in India can be sometimes too much, proves right. But it's a balance, I suppose. From Sahana loosing her wallet (visa, cash, bank card, bus ticket to Bangalore), climbing the 60 foot boulders for a panoramic view of the hills, searching for the teenage boy who man-handled my boobie, AND the best of the night, dancing in the streets to village drummers...whew, busy day. Oh, and I was blessed by the sacred elephant...hehe - his trunk blessed my head (for one Rupee). It was a roller coaster of a ride being stared at by hundreds, asked for my name by the dozens, and asked for me to be in a photo by the few - all in the days work of a foreigner. Seriously though, if I was here back in 2003, I would have left this place out of fear, but with my sense of security and Sahana as a guide of sorts, I really enjoyed the day. As for men, I still feel the same...they annoy me as often as the car, bus, or rickshaws horns go off in the streets (every 2 seconds...yup, I counted an average).

At the top of our climb...notice the village of Hampi in behind me and some temple structures.

After the day's events, Raghu saves us again first from the creepy police officer giving us a ride to Hospet (Raghu saw us at the intersection we were to meet but to our lack of knowing, the cop kept going with his own agenda. Raghu knew this and he followed us, pulled over the cop, and we jumped on his bike. Then, he stayed with us at the bus station, faught for us because we lost our ticket, and walked us to our seats. Such an angel.

I will now rest for a few days...I will be off to Kerala this upcoming weekend and shopping until then. So, if you have any requests, you have three days!
Peace and Love.
Kristy...thank you.