30-3-15 Homestay, Hampi India
Empty belly. Ate just a few dates this morning. ATM would not work. Quickly dwindling energy as I walked 17,945 steps throughout the ancient ruins of Hampi beneath a blazing sun. Managed a few hours of sleep on the train last night where I met a Canadian named Jerome who suggested a few places to try yoga.
Breathtaking vistas at the Ancient ruins of Hampi
Breathtaking vistas atop a mountain with a temple. Sat for 30 minutes taking in the beauty and the incredible sprawl of the ancient ruins in Hampi below. While the views are nice, Hampi relies entirely on tourism which makes for an uncomfortable experience. I feel like a mouse with vultures swooping or a fish with bait dangling. Relentless tuk tuks. A focus on tourism makes the attitude that people have towards visitors feel insincere. Plan to climb another mountain tomorrow. Low spirits with ATM issues.
31-3-15 Hampi, India 16,197 steps, 8.7 miles
On a quest for adventure, seeking vistas which remind me of how lovely this earth can be. Each day, a new opportunity to reset the frustrations of yesterday, simply smile at the relentless sales pitches.
“Service without humility is selfishness and egotism,”
– Gandhi
Identify ways to serve
Must identify ways to humbly serve as I selfishly enjoy the beautiful views from Hanuman Temple.
Choose your battles wisely
Met two girls, Jenna from Denmark and Jill from England. Recommended I read Shantaram and the God of Small Things. Jill said to choose your battles wisely while traveling. Jenna said to visit the fortress and old Portuguese cathedral found in Diu in Gujarat as well as Arambol in Goa. She spent 5 years of her life in China, given to a lady who served as her mother, common in China.
Such a small world after all
I continue meeting people at a rate too fateful for mere coincidence – met Sophie and Lotte from my night in Alleppey – so ironic given the vast size of India, but I suppose travelers tend to take the same path.
How soon do we forget?
The body changes form imperceptibly from moment to moment, memories slowly fade, but somehow remain logged to be recalled at another time. How big is this storage bank of memory? Why can we only recall certain memories when a smell or taste for example reminds us of a specific time and place in the past when we experienced the same smell or taste?
Beware of the monkeys at Hanuman Temple
ATM card worked! Following a day of fasting, indulged in far too many meals today as my need for sense gratification supersedes my usual thriftiness. Caught the very last boat back to Hampi after seeing Hanuman Temple, dodging monkeys lining the path.
