Feeding time at the zoo

Louise called it "feeding time at the zoo". We had sat down in a local restaurant/diner and were waiting for our meals to be delivered and the staff were gathering to watch us. They were fascinated by everything we did. "Imagine," I said to Louise, "it could be worse, this place is listed in your guide book so it must get the occasional tourist." But, that's how it sometimes is.

Walking down the street many people ask to shake my hand (I go with it), and yesterday I was alarmed to have a woman at a temple entrance stop me, touch my forehead and tell me I should have a bindi spot and a sari. "Quite right" said Louise in her dry humour. Most alarming for me though was her cool touch that I felt for hours afterwards.

But today took the cake.
We went to the Brihadishwara Temple in Tanjore in the middle of the day. Walking barefoot on the hot stones (shoes must be removed at left outside of Hindu temples) was getting to much for us so we decided to sit in the cool shade of the housing of the 25 tonne stone Nandi (the bull) and take in the scene. But a crowd (mostly male) gathered to take photos of us. Then they decided to each have photos taken with us. Excitedly, one by one they would take turns sitting with us for their photo. There must have been 50 photos taken, eventually we said enough... And turned to see that more (men) were coming!

We escaped but then decided it was our turn and we got some lovely snaps of us with the lady pilgrims (see other blog entry where I uploaded this photo). Even later in the temple more approached us!

And then tonight we walked into a restaurant and a staff member instantly asked if he could have my photo.

So yep, sometimes I'm the attraction.

By the way, I really liked the Brihadishwara temple.

(Photo of all the people taking our photo).

First days in Tamil Nadu: Pictures

In Tamil Nadu I started my travel adventure with Louise.

Madurai (city) is home to Hindu Temple Sri Meenaksh. It's a massive complex and very impressive. Most entertaining in that it has 4 gates (North, South, East West) and we entered via the West gate. Upon entering Hindu Temples you are required to leave your shoes. Unbeknow to us we exited on the East Gate, and tried to get our shoes back and were told to keep going around, and the South Gate we were also told to keep going. When we finally got our shoes back, at the West gate we decided to walk around to the South gate just to see it too.

Some temple detail.

 

In the city of Trichy (it has a longer name I won't bother with) there is a Rock Fort with impressive views. Check out the size of the Caucery River, must be impressive when it fills.

Being a sacred cow in India.... I think I'd rather be not so sacred on the nice farm.

 

The Rock Fort also encompasses more Hindu shrines. Check the flowers on the feet.

 

In Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Trichy.

 World Heritage listed Brihadishwara Temple in Tanjore is really lovely and quite different.

Still in Brihadishwara Temple: After queues of people lines up to have their photo taken with Louise and I, I decided it was my turn... the pilgrims were very willing to have their group photo with me. I kind of stand out... don't you think? I'll write a blog about it later.