It was actually a rest day for us, so I was able to set
aside everything else and just take some me time-with someone by my side of
course. We went to Mamallapuram. Where Claartje and I immediately set out on an
adventure to explore some more ruins. I have wanted to explore these ones for a
few weeks now but didn't get the chance until today. The Indian Archeological
Society has done a lot of work in Mamallapuram, so the ruins had paths and
markers (which were in Tamil of course) leading your way through, but you could
still go up and in them too. I was a little surprised they let us do that but I
wasn’t going to argue about it either. Random people will come up to you and
ask if they can give you a tour but then expect you to pay them at the end—we
had a few people approach us, and don’t quote me on this but one of them said
these ruins were from the 7th century (?) I wanted more
clarification but I didn’t want to pay him so we left-but even if they weren’t
from the 7th century they were still crazy old and freaking sweet.
The art, the details that still show after all this time, it was insane. And
the ruins were surrounded by the jungle, which of course came with all it’s
joys—aka monkeys. I literally felt like I was in Jungle Book.
My favorite thing about this monkey is that he has a butt crack haircut. Seeing that took me right back to good old Oak Canyon Junior High. And he has gingivitis. Naughty monkey.
Playing multiple games of Banana Grams has become a daily occurrence with this session. I have yet to win but am determined to achieve that someday. I would really like to win while playing with Maurine, because she is so competitive and always wins everything--well almost everything. Until I beat her that is. BUT--it looks like these ancient people spent some time playing Banana Grams as well---how advanced of them!
We met these
adorable kids that we became buddies with—they were a riot. After exploring ruins with them they took us to
their parents and requested a family picture. The dad said I should take the
curly haired one home to America with me--I wouldn’t of minded taking her home,
but I’ve watched too many Locked Up Abroad episodes to actually try it. Plus, I’m not going home anytime soon so what
do you do. Oh yeah, and because that would be wrong.
The morning of exploring left us crazy hungry so we made our
way to Moonrakers—which usually has free WIFI Internet, but all Internet happened
to be down for the day, probably because the Internet god’s hate us. Really, we
just needed food and water through. One of the volunteers that has been here before
told me there was classified adds for brides in the newspaper but unfortunately,
I couldn't find them. I’m bound and determined to find to track them down now.
It’s become my new personal mission. Then in typical June 21st fashion I did
some shopping and haggled until I was hoarse. Best purchase of the day was hand
made leather sandals for more or less the equivalent of $5 us dollars. I always love me some good
bargain shopping no matter where I do it.
Of course I was missing my family a bit—so I decided to look
at the pics we took the last time we got together before I left. I
honestly hadn’t looked close at them yet, but they made me laugh. Especially
this one of some of my nieces and nephews:
Despite my “sundburn” I love this pic because I really think
all the faces they are pulling match each of their personalities perfectly. I
sure do miss all my littles. This picture may or may not be my screensaver
right now. J
During an education rotation a few weeks ago we had all the kids draw the members
of their family along with a talent they each have. I drew one as an example
and have it hanging up on my wall. The whole idea of remarrying after a spouse
passes away isn’t very common here so I had to keep it very basic—sorry Brent.
Interestingly enough though, there have been many kids that have come to talk
to me about losing a parent as well. I have been reminded a lot over the last
four years about how I can use my life experiences to help others—even (and
actually more specifically) the really hard ones.
