As the working week ended we left for Thekkady where we would stay for the night. We began the day with a 2-hour bus ride listening to some Indian bangers along the way. We arrived at the Forest Inn to discover the rooms all to be double beds and we’d have to be sharing for the night. We went to the Bamboo Café to eat lunch and then went shopping with the help of Joerie and his bartering skills to lower the prices. As we walked around the shops we feared the monkeys attempting to take our bought goods, and had to have creative ways to hide our things such as under our shirt.
We experienced some local culture by attending a stick fighting/ martial arts performance, with displays of weaponry and gymnastics. Jono, Joerie, Darcy, Declan, Pat & Jesse were asked to assist in an act as performers leaped over them. The show finished with some tricks involving fire sticks and a ring of fire.
After a great day, some stayed up to watch a soccer match which finished at 1:30am. Sadly for those involved, we had a 5:30am wake up call in order to go Periyar Tiger Reserve. We embarked on a river tour to see local wildlife. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much to see other than a few water buffalo and a lone lizard. Luckily, others were able to catch up on some sleep on the boat. We then continued to do some more shopping after breakfast before heading back home to RTU in time for Sunday mass and Blakey’s reflection.
Declan & Darcy
Editors Note: We are continuing to have wifi issues here so can only upload a few photos to each post. If you’d like to see more, a reminder to download the app ‘PhotoCircle’ and join our folder using the code 634042. Naṉṟi.
India Outreach 2019 