A stint in Mysore
Trip Start
Jul 03, 2008
1
18
19
Trip End
Dec 07, 2008
Mysore,
Karnataka,
India
Friday, August 15, 2008
Happy Indian Independence Day!
After a harrowing journey to Mysore in which we saw 3 separate auto accidents, we were all a bit shell shocked, and took some time to recoup before seeing the city. We headed to the Mysore palace, a HUGE building that housed the Maharaja of Karnataka. While a little weak on historical muscle (The building is only 100 yrs old) it was still gorgeous. For my California readers, envision an Indian Hearst Castle. I wasn't able to take my camera inside, but some of the outside pictures do it reasonable justice.
From there we proceeded to Chumundi hill, one of the most sacred sites in South India
Entrance
. At the top a temple is perched, and about halfway down sits a monstrous stone bull carved out of one solid piece of granite. We then proceeded to check out some of the other historical buildings in the area, including a building that was once a guesthouse for friends of the Maharaja. It is now a swanky hotel, notably only because it bears an uncanny resemblance to our White House.
That night the palace was lit up beautifully, and then, being masochists, we woke up to see the sunrise, which was glorious.
In an effort to experience the famed Mysore markets, we dived headfirst into the bazaar. It was authentic India at it's finest: multi-colored tikka powder, burlap sacks full of chilies and potatoes, and hordes of men selling trinkets. It was awesome. Afterwards we spent some time silk shopping and enjoying the local zoo before heading "home."
Side note: After getting back to Pondi, I found out I'm going to be able to intern with the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, I'm really stoked!
http://www.mssrf.org/
Comments
Out of curiousity...
What's the going price for the Maharaja's digs? =^_^=
none
It definitely costs a few coins...$165 for the 'bare bones' room, $820 for the Viceroy Suite, which is where the Viceroy of India(British Ruler) was housed. It's especially crazy because of the local incomes...Someone in Ashok's income bracket, for instance, subsists on 120-170 bucks a month.
Re: the new image...
I like the new outlaw biker identity, but I studied and scrutinized and searched and still, I can't see your helmet. Am I missing something, my darling and priceless son??? XXXOOO Maj
P.S. The flowers are lovely!