Welcoming the Cool Rain

In spite of the heat, we kept going south. We went as far south as we could in India, to a place called Kanyakumari. And it was HOT. Sweltering. All day and night too. Geographically exciting, this is the southernmost point of the Indian Subcontinent, and also where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean meet. Also exciting if you are a Hindu Pilgrim coming to bathe in these sacred waters or visiting the Kanya Devi temple ... otherwise it felt like the Myrtle Beach of India. People sold trinkets, cotton candy and popcorn all along the ghats and bazaar, and prices everywhere were heavily inflated because of all the Indian tourists. Also of note is the fact that the Kanya Devi temple was conveniently located directly across from our room. Every morning it began the festivities at 4 AM with chanting, microphones, music, and much chatter outside in the streets. Oh Boy!

We had to flee the heat and humidity, but before we could get out Phillip ordered a shrimp curry dish that sent us to the bathroom for more than 8 hours straight. If Tarcus Maylor is reading this...I would have written POOP OOZE on my fingers with a sharpie if I'd had the strength...seriously...

We recuperated, sort of, under a fan for one day before taking a night bus to Kodaikanal and getting dropped off in the dark and rain of 5:15 AM.

We are now here, in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu in the Western Ghats. Where we are staying, we can see the sharp, relatively young mountains when the clouds occasionally clear. It is much cooler (50-60 degrees) and consistently drizzly so far. We have been able to regain our health and are taking this time to rest and enjoy a place that is more similar to our home in the Blue Ridge Mountains than any other wild, chaotic city we have been in in India yet.

Pictures soon to come...the clouds are covering up the breathtaking scenery here.


Please think of us, as we are having a difficult time so far. We have yet to really find our calling here. The cities are so stifling and smog-filled that it generally drains us of energy and patience. We are trying to trust our direction. Feel free to post questions or comments on this blog...if you feel so inclined (haah)!