Monday, June 7th, 2010 - Day 16

22:00 Hrs. Devara Halli, MM Hills, Karnataka, India.

Saturday was our last day in Forest Trails. We received T-shirts from a staff that was far too amazing to us during our time there. Shoba was the mother of the dancer and mother-in-law of the flautist. Owning and helping Vishnu to run the place, they, along with Nagesh, truly took care of us. We could never repay their kindness. The day was all-day research. Concluding our studies we began the desk work and compiled a scientific paper as well as a presentation with visual aides and everything. Working nearly non-stop through the day, most of our heads began to hurt as we shared our results with Geeta and she indulged in our mistakes. Nonetheless, that evening we all presented our research to the group, satisfied with our findings.

Our final dinner, and Nagesh comes out with YET ANOTHER BOX OF KINGFISHER. This must be how Indians think of American college students, though I suppose he's not far off. After a brief bout between a quickly-drunk bottle of alcohol and my stomach, I stayed up talking with a few people late into the night until all but two of us, 'Harvard' and I, had gone to bed. Another few wonderful hours of venting and sharing, then bed.

Many of us have been going days without showering, as we were encouraged, but one this morning for a lengthy cfar ride ahead sounded great. And felt great for that matter. We left Forest Trails (bittersweet) and drove quite some ways. Our first stop on our way to our next destination was the Cauvery (Kaveri) River. This was India as we had been told. Hundreds of people playing, washing, bathing in the river. We were to cross it. Having been told of the dangers of coming into contact with ANY water body in India, we were all very naturally skeptical. Never failing to keep any future plans from us, Geeta herded us into small bowl-like bamboo and tar rafts that took us half-way across the river. We waded the rest of the way, and boarded a Jitney-esque bus on the other side. We arrived at a stunning gorge 20 minutes later, that the river had carved out. Truly a breath-taking, rocky-cliff filled site.

Back on the Jitney (for lack of a better label...), some Beedi was bought by Geeta and passed around to those who would have it. Beedi is the product of a native plant, rolled in itself, and smoked. Essentially an organic cigarette. Back on the bamboo bowls, and back on the bus and we were off again. Our next stop, after bidding a slightly more serious farewell to Kavitha and Skanda (we'd picked them up earlier, they'll be back later in the trip), was a village known as Kollegal. We had tea, a bathroom (squat of course) break, and bought junk food. My first taste of chocolate in forever it seems (even if it was strangely orange flavored). Back on the bus (I forgot to mention, our new driver is a man named Riaz this time around...), we made the last long stretch of road, up hairpin mountain bends and down into the valley of the MM Hills, arriving late at night to a small holy city (Devara Halli) very late, 'Harvard' half asleep next to me. Not a bad day...

I'd like to mention that Geeta and Lisa had long mentioned that Forest Trials would be the last 'nice' place we'd be in for awhile, and we should be prepared for true roughing it. She could not have lied more. Our accomodations are a beautiful 4th story guest house next to the ATREE office here. Full beds, electricity, bathrooms, the works. I roomed with Deepak this time around. Who knows if we can trust Geeta again...

We had dinner at a nearby mess hall and walked the city after, making our way to a very famous temple in the center. Full of dancing and music and an incredible sight (although there had just been a blackout, typical in India, so there was little 'seeing' done but with our lights).

It's late and I shall have to leave today's events for tomorrow's journal. Sleep beckons me.

~Dreary eyes in a fantasy world,

- David