Hampi, zum zweiten

Yep, I was in Hampi again. Definitely one of the best places here in the south and a MUST for every South-India traveller. Since it was a long week-end with the 1st May on Monday, every Bus and every train was packed full and no seat available on any public transport system leaving Bangalore. Thus, a group of German girls rented a car and a driver and invited anyone to join them untill the car would be full. Well, I had been to Hampi before but I would always go there again because the place is simply awesome. 3.00 am we left Bangalore and started the very shaky and terribly uncomfortable road trip (das indische Strassennetz ist natuerlich genauso katastrophal wie die Infrastruktur in den Staedten). To fall asleep in the bus was simply a matter of impossibility. Exhausted and overtired we arrived in Hampi at noon. After lodging in at Hampi-tradition 'Shanthi Guesthouse' we headed directly to Hampi-tradition 'Mango Tree Restaurant' in order to relax, recover and refresh. The sun was burning above the protecting Mango Tree, the air was flickering, insects were flying around our transpiring bodies, the view was inspiring and the river below looked seducing for a refreshing bath. So, some of us decided to look for a bathing-suitable spot between the reeds, rocks and rice fields to jump into the fresh water; and we found one. I must say, it was just....wonderful. The place was so untypical silent and peaceful; the river, the bizarre, round-cut rocks, the rice fields, just everything makes this place so special and almost corny. The next day we rented some bikes and drove around for some sight-seeing. Well, we didn't enter the highlight sights, the Vittala Temple and the Elephant stables since they cost 250 Rupees for foreigners. Indians pay merely 10 Rupees. Even though I am officially registered in this country and pay taxes, thus not supposed to pay the foreigner rate, they refused entrance for the Indian rate simply because I am WHITE. I was - once again - so upset after the discussion with the collector that I decided not to pay any entrance in this country anymore whenever I have to pay more than 20 times more than an Indian. It' s not only the amount of money but also the poor conditions of the sights which are almost never the price worth because they are neither well maintained nor are interesting background informations provided. Anyway, instead, we climbed up a rocky hill right next to the Vittala Temple from where we had an amazing view on the entire temple complex and also on the breath-taking surroundings. In the evening againg climbing, but this time on another hill with a temple on the top (like on so many hills around there) from where we wanted to watch the sun-set. Well, the sky was a bit cloudy and therefore not really mind-blowing. The third day, after break-fast (guess where... at Mango Tree of course!!!) some of us lingered upstream the Tungabhadra River, wandering through reed, jumping over rocks and stones, crossing small side channels of the river.... It was just awesome. Pure nature and SILENCE. Yes, Hampi pure, a great relief from chaotic and polluted Bangalore! In late afternoon, much too early, we had to head back home with our uncomfortabel bus and our only-Cannada-speaking, illiterate van-driver (he could not even read the side boards showing the way). Anyway, we arrived B'lore savely, relaxed and with regained strength to challange once againg with enthusiasm tha Bangalorian pace of life...
in diesem sinne,
auf ein naechstes!!!