On the Road Again

After sleeping in the big bed (woohoo no cot for me!), I was well rested. I showered quickly since there was no hot water (ironically enough the first 4 showers were cold but Margret who showered last got hot water). We then had a nice breakfast and loaded up. To get up in the hills and see the coffee plants 9 of us had to stand in the back of a truck (this is how the workers get up the hills and so it is how we did it). It was really fun to be truthful. Many of the workers waved as we passed them. We got lots of great views from the back of the truck though we had to be careful since some vines and such could hit us. We learned more about the coffee process (like that most of the berry pickers are women since they are more efficient). We then loaded up again and drove uphill some more. This experience was interesting since some hills rocks had to be placed under the tires to give traction and we all thought we were gonna roll downhill to our death. We made it up to a peak. The death defying experience was worth it because the views were even more spectacular then they had been from the coffee estate. You could see for miles. The mountain peaks looked beautiful. I took lots of pictures but I don't know if they can fully capture the glory. We then headed back down so we could have lunch at the estate. Soon after we had to leave in order to make good time.

We drove for hours heading back to XIME and Bangalore. Along the way we stopped at Gommateshvara Bahubali statue at Shravanbelagola. This is a huge monolithic statue. In order to reach it you must climb more then 600 steps. Outside steps that are work and steep at times. This climb made me realize I am not nearly as young or in shape as I use to be. It also made me hate my adventurous side and determination. A less adventurous and less determined person would of stayed at the bottom and shopped or stopped one they got to the first peak. Noooo, not me. I went all the way to the top while feeling like I was gonna die. The statue was pretty impressive I must admit. When Deride took my picture she said I looked like I had climbed a mountain. I look horrible in the photo but that's because I had just climbed a mountain lol. Going down was much easier thank goodness. On the way down we saw these 4 guys carrying this woman up the stairs in a chair. Lucky lady but I would of felt guilty.

We then got back on the bus. A half an hour later we stopped at Coffee Day to grab some snacks. I devoured a piece of chocolate cake. We then got back on the bus for another 3 hour drive. Eventually we reached XIME. My first order of business was to pack because disorganization while traveling annoys me. My bags are now all packed and ready for the trip home. I then took the longest shower ever because that mountain climbing was hard work. Bedtime soon followed.

Now it is my last morning here in India. The ones of us who have late night/early morning flights are chilling in the computer lab and about to go shopping to spend all these extra rupees (reuppes go far here. I took out the equivalent of $130 which is about 7000 rupees). I will see you all soon in America (where I plan to eat so many of the foods I have missed. salad is first along with cheesecake factory and chick-fil-a breakfast).

Can't wait to see you all!

Much love,
KP