day 14, post 3

So we walked up to this giant white temple that I later found out houses nothing, was just there to symbolize peace. Interesting. So we took some pictures by it. J There was a gong being struck that symbolized the quest for world peace, supposed to be heard worldwide… so we went in but no pictures permitted. And shoes had to be off. Interesting inside. Smelled like incense. I went in, not really sure what to do, so I looked around then left. Shoes on camera in hand continue. MORE MONKEYS!!! Father asked in a concerned voice do u have and food. ‘No father, I would have eaten it’ good they will attack you if you had a biscuit. ‘I’d attack them if they had a biscuit’ they seemed friendly, so I went to pet then. The thing bit my finger! Can you believe that buggger? Me either!!! it hurt, bled everywhere. its a little yellow pus filled now.. Fr. said if I lick it, it should go away.

(Just kidding, mom, sorry, you can breathe again, hope you didn’t faint. No petting or biting involved I did get some cool pictures tho) oh I took this awesome shot of two beetles rolling some dirt or dung down the earth, I was stoked. Nothing else really to see, we went down. The place was used for conferences in Buddhism and is an important place in their faith.

Back in the car we headed to the University of Nalanda, the oldest university in the world. This place cost 100 Rs for foreigners and 5 Rs for Indians. So like 2.25 to go see this huge archeological dig. So we went in, it was hot 100+ were all in long sleeves long pants walking around you can climb on the ruins. We took some pictures and father explained that it was in the 5^th century BC and there were 10,000 students from all over the world, they taught languages and culture and Buddhism. The Hindus later conquered and took over the campus. Over the years many of it was pillaged and destroyed. Still pretty cool. And pretty flowers, so I took pictures. We left and across the street, after you got through a sea of children selling books about this site, with puppy dog eyes and a stern voice, Mister, mister, mister, sir, sir ,sir, mister…. Book nalanda, don’t you want to read about nalanda, its very interesting mister, mister, mister…. So we walked through some gates and got to this restaurant. It said foreigners welcome, we have Indian cuisine, and Italian, Spanish, Tai, and foreign… curious what that was. I ordered the chicken curry. The wait was 30 min so we walked down the street and went into this museum that house all these artifacts 5 Rs. Thats it. It was AC very well worth the 9 cents, Cool artifacts too.

So were back at the restaurant, and they are playing a Justin Beiber CD. Realllly catering to foreigners I see. Still, I don’t miss kissfm (annoying radio station in CLE). So I gget this hugeee plate of food. I took a picture. And we ate. I’ll write another blog on eating etiquette in India. It involves your hands. Nothing more. So yah the food was good, and they gave me another helping of rice. Aww thanks guys. This was our first time eating outside of the compound... but it tasted good, so im sure it was ok... So I used the bathroom, well that was an interesting adventure… there a was a porcelain? stand area. It had the outline of where you’re feet are supposed to be. Also had a swarm of flies flying around it. So this was at ground level. Heaven forbid your food wasn’t settling with you… ughhh gross. good luck, sicky. No flusher. But a nozzle and bucket flush it yourself. Hmm interesting concept. I decided to keep my hands to myself.

We paid and left. Ahh fun day guys, let’s go home.

Oh wait there’s more??? Ha-ha oh yah the real adventure. I said id stop talking about traffic for awhile. Resuming now. So before I do, I’m creating an album called traffic in India. Or seen while driving, in India. Not sure the title, but its gonna include things we see on the road, including a car the size of those new smart cars with 8 people inside... and 6 people on top… ok I get it. You can go in the car pool lane. Poor kid in the front prob had a whole bunch of mosquitoes for lunch… mmm yum. We saw one kid being chased by a cow and another one being dragged down a hill by a bull. There was a dog, still alive, just sitting in the middle of the road… I’m starting to get used to seeing these things.

Water has gone through me, brb.