"You did not know you had air-conditioning?" he asks as he checks the power in the room. You see power outages are regular occurances across the river from Hampi and there is no electricity from midnight til 6:00AM. But never fear the Mowgli Guest House is equipted with a generator. Now sheets for the bed or toilet paper they may miss on check-in but rest assured there is air-conditioning and high speed internet. The contradictions in India are comical for the westerner but all is well when on the road and staying in the moment. Plus the ambience of the room at the Guest House makes up for any minor snafus. The balcony overlooks a rice paddy and palm trees. With a western view it is possible to watch the sunset while listening to the cacophony of frogs and what I swear are crickets in the background. It is a haven from the road.
The road.... though I had hoped to get to the historical importance of the temples in Hampi and the Indo-Islamic influence, that will have to wait til tomorrow or the next day. But the road must come to life in this entry. Though I have experienced many hair-raising rides throughout the world it is fair to say that India tops the list of places I would never want to drive. Somehow our driver seems to navigate between tuk-tuks, bicycles, goats, women walking with cans or baskets on their heads, lines of trucks transporting iron ore, and children relieving themselves on the side of the road. Within inches of others sharing the small road we make our way south through India and tour the areas we are stopping. When I speak to you next I promise a bit of history that will lend some understanding to this vibrant land.
