2 posts from April 2009

I ran out of space!

I also went to Mysore to see all the touristy sights there!  That includes Mysore Palace, The Art Gallery,  Chamundi temple on top of Chamundi hills, St. Philomena's Church, Brindavan Gardens, a Bird Sanctuary,Gumbaz (Tipu Sultan's Tomb), and Tipu Sultan's Fort/Summer Palace.  

The Mysore Palace was amazing!  The inside was painted so beautifully, will different scenes!  And even outside of the Palace there was an area where people could ride elephants!   So of course Caitlin and I did not give up an oppurtunity to ride an elephant!!

Brindavan Gardens is India largest Garden.  There are many fountains and flowers, as well as a lake in the center!  Then at seven o'clock each evening there is a light show, where they have lights in a fountain and the fountain moves to the beat of the music in which they are playing!

Gumbaz was also very interesting because there are three tombs in the center room, Tipu Sultan's tomb, his mothers tomb, and his fathers tomb.  Inside that room it smells very strongly of flowers!

The Art Gallery, also has one painting called the Glow of Hope, which has one lady holding a candle but she is blocking the flame with her hand.  When you look at the picture it looks as though her hand is glowing from the candle!

Overall, my trip to Bangalore was amazing, not just because of the sights I saw but also because the culture in southern India differs so much from the Culture in North India.  I learned so much more about Indian culture, and ate new foods!  I think my favorite food I ate on the trip was Caitlin's host mom's Masala Dosa!! :)  Those were ten days of my life that I will always remember!

In Mid March I was lucky enough to travel to Bangalore to see another AFS exchange student from the U.S.  I left from the Ahemedabad Airport and flew to the Bangalore Airport and was greeted by Caitlin, her host brother, Narahari, and their driver.  During the ride to Caitlin's house the three of us chatted about random things that were going on in our lives and Caitlin and I caught up a little bit after not seeing each other in 8 months!

When I reached Caitlin's house I met her host mom, and one of the cooks upstairs as well as her host Grandmom!   It was quite late at this time so we had a quick dinner and then talked until we all decided it was too late and we needed to get some sleep!  The next morning I met Caitlin's host father and younger host brother Nithin!  We walked to the local grocery store, the four kids, and then came back for breakfast!

After Breakfast we went shopping to buy a silk sari for me because Bangalore is known for their silk sari's, and since I was in Bangalore I should get one!  Then every other day, followed that first sunday, we went shopping almost everyday because Caitlin and I went into the city so I could meet her friends and that always involved shopping somehow!

Except for two days I guess!  One day, was that Tuesday when I went with Caitlin's host parents to the site where they are building a temple because there was a puja for the new building!  It was really interesting because I have never known anyone who is building their own temple till now!  Also, on the same day I visited a yoga center where Caitlin took Yoga classes for a month straight, sleeping there and everything!