What did we do yesterday? Well, after seven months of living here we finally went sight seeing! I can't believe we have been here this long and that this was our first time doing an actual day tour with a tour guide and everything. Thanks to our good friend Jennifer for organizing the day and to Kavari for showing us some very interesting sights! Friends if you ever visit be prepared, this is just one of the many tours Bluefoot arranges and that we might take you on. I am very lucky that Jennifer's husband blogs because he wrote a very detailed account of our tour. His post about our "Temple Run" even includes video! So check it it out, he's my favorite blogger and paints a good picture of the sights we visited (which included local eateries) and the unanimous feeling that we should try harder to see more of what goes on around us and try to at least be aware of the many different beliefs and traditions in this city that we are currently calling home.
http://realhousewifeinbangalore.com/2012/09/03/temple-run/
Since Britten did such an excellent job of writing about our tour, I am just going to post some pics and expand on them a little. Don't worry. I won't always "steal" his postings. Just for tonight because truthfully, do you really want me blogging from the bathroom?
I didn't think so.
Enjoy!

When the British came to India they filled in on the lakes to get rid of all the snakes. There were no wars in India at that time but a high death rate due to snake bites thus the reasoning to kill off the snakes. However the Hindus didn't believe in the killing of snakes and so to apologize to the snakes they built temples in their honor on the grounds that once were the lakes. They believe that worshiping at the snake temple and following very specific instructions on how to worship there can cure very specific problems you are having in your life. For example let's say you have a child who is doing poorly in school, you can ask your priest for guidance and he will tell you to go to the snake temple and put flowers on the 7th snake statue on the second row and then spin around three times as you do it.

We drive past this area at least twice a week. Every time I have passed I always look up from my reading to take in the sight of the lines and lines of laundry drying. Don't know why but it always give me a calm feeling. I was so surprised and excited that this was a place on our tour and I would finally get to see what goes on beyond the rows and rows of clothes. What we found was a small village that does laundry for local businesses. their work area is just about fifty yards from where they live. I did not know that in passing. A whole village was behind the rows of laundry. We got to see the washers at work, and then walk around their village and interact with the people who live there. Truly a lovely experience.


TTFN