Bus Ride into Tiruvannamali, Cattle Truck Out

Our vans took us to our final destination of Tiruvannamali, one of the most sacred cities in Tamil Nadu. On our way to our hotel, we saw the towering pyramids of the main temple complex. After a refreshing drink at the hotel, three of us began walking back into town. Realizing that we didn’t have a whole lot of time before we needed to get back for supper, we pondered about faster transportation methods. Seeing the local bus pulling up just ahead, we quickly jumped aboard, happy that it wasn’t full and the cost was only 6 rupees (14 cents). The open bus with its stiff board seats wasn’t a luxury, but it definitely was cheap and convenient.

Walking through the town, I felt the hum of activity around the many shops and in the streets, but it wasn’t nearly as crowded as in Chennai. The slightly slower pace was welcomed. Along the way, people asked if we could take their picture. Music projected from some of the town’s over 100 temples. Small Indian flags fluttered, above the streets, celebrating Independence Day. Along the slightly more pedestrian streets a number of people carried goods on their heads. Some shops sold religious (Hindu) souvenirs and items. Other shops had large bags of spices and hot peppers for sale. Just commenting about how the more pleasurable scents, we suddenly came across some streets with open sewers. Near the temple entrance a grey-bearded religious person clothed in orange cloth approached us and gave us some “advice.” While waiting for a bus, we noticed some people getting into the fenced back of a truck. After asking the driver if he was going past our hotel, we climbed in. When the money collector asked for an absurd amount (80 rupees - $1.84) for the three of us, one elderly man stepped up and said that no, it was only 3 rupees (7 cents) per person. A slight curiosity to have two redheads and one blond females on the back of the truck, we had a nice but short conversation with the people aboard.

At the driveway entrance to our hotel, they bid us farewell. We even had some time to have a drink on one of the hotel’s several balconies, also enjoying the breezes (not common in Chennai), slightly less humid conditions, and sunset. That evening we had a pleasurable meal at a nearby resort hotel.

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