No, don't pet the python when its angry

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Life is so darn busy. This week was the reminder than I am still a student while I'm here. We have two tests, a presentation, a field trip and 20 or so engineering homework problems all coming up Thursday and Friday. Add in the fact that its our last week in Bangalore and we are trying to see it all between our 6 hours of class a day and you will see that I am a busy guy.

I can't really complain though. We did just get back from a four day weekend. We organized our own trip to Bandipur and Ooty. Bandipur is just south of here and is a huge National Park. Ooty is what is called a hill station and is one of the most popular in the south.

We left really early Friday morning from Bangalore and headed south towards Mysore. On the way we stopped at the second largest Banyon tree in the world. It used to be the biggest until a fire burned down half of it. Banyan trees are unique because their branches grow down and sprout roots forming another trunk. No one knows where this tree began but its almost 7 acres around.

Mysore was great because they have a huge palace there that was built in the early 1900's. It almost European with a little India flare which makes it stand out here in India. I also got to ride a camel while I was there which makes two camels on two continents (Morocco was the other). Unless mom and dad stuck me on a camel when I was little and I don't remember.

The place we stayed at was great. You had to drive all the way through the park to get to it. There were mountains and hammocks and a new "James Bond of the sea" book. What more could a guy ask for?

We woke up early Saturday for a sunrise hike. Within the first 200 meters we came across a huge Bull Elephant. He was awesome but we had to keep our distance. Apparently it is rare to see the Bull elephants as they are out numbered 60 to 1 in India because poachers take them for their tusks.

We also came across a python out in the middle of a clearing. Our guide convinced us to pet him which was cool until he (the guide) decided the snake needed to wake up. He started slapping old Kah (Jungle Book reference) until he (the snake) started hissing. Apparently Kah didn't like me petting him after that because when he struck at me, I think he meant business.

We also saw a bear with her cubs and some deer and water buffalo. Besides that there were just some cool tiger and panther prints in the mud.

The rest of the time there was great. We saw razorbacks on a night safari. We took a huge hike up the side of a mountain. I got a really awkward massage. And we got BarBQue chicken both nights for dinner.

Ooty was very relaxing. We stayed in a great little place up above the city. We went shopping, saw a huge botanical garden and went to a lakeside tourist trap/carnival. I spent most of the evening that we were there reading and studying the game of cricket. I have fallen in love with the game. It is very simple but very different from baseball. I'm picking it up on my own really well but I can't wait to get back and talk it over with some buds of mine from South Africa.

Sorry this is so long. I hope somebody made it this far and didn't just skip to the pictures. We leave Friday for Chennai when should be really cool (as in neat because the temp will be in the 100s). Computer access may be limited but ill try to keep you all updated on all that.

Thanks for all of your letters and comments. They mean more than you can know.

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Photos

Banyon Ho
this tree just makes you feel cool

Kah
the python folded itself in half. the tip of its tail is directly under its chin. the knife near his middle is there for perspective. its two inches long. uhuh, it was huge

Real Razorbacks
Kim, I totally win becuase I saw an entire herd of real life Razorbacks.

ouch!!
no worries mom, its just henai (that means it will have worn off before I get home)

Comments

[Kacie]

Hey, bring back a hammock for the houses, oh and a monkey while you're at it. You are sorely missed here in Fayetteville, but you look as though you are enjoying yourself so it's okay. Have fun with all your schoolwork.

[Pablo]

You get to do all the cool stuff. Your pictures are real cool but I know that they don't do justice to experiencing what you are seeing. Well I am glad that you are going to a place that is hot. It will help you remember where you come from. It is still in the 100s here in Ft. Worth and we have forgotten what rain even looks like. Cole is the greatness.

[Julie]

BBQ chicken huh? Sounds good. how is the food there anyway??

[Chrissy Bryan]

No title for this comment
Hey Bud, howdy from America! I hope you're having a great time in India, and really growing in your walk with the Lord too. School starts in three weeks so I'll see you soon (hopefully you'll be very ruggish from being out in the jungle so much). :D xoxoxoxoxo Chris

[Kim]

I concede!
Yeah, you win big time. Congratulations!!! Your trip sounds so exciting, and all these animals? Lucky! I'm going to get to see you soon!! Yay!

[A-train]

Forget the monkey
Bring back the python. We need something to feed to our yetti. Oh, I did skip to the pictures then went back to read everything. The the pictures some more ... and now I'm commenting ....

[sarah]

i suck
soo, i wish i had been a better friend and left a comment on all of your posts. however, somebody did not send out one of those big blanket emails asking for subscriptions (or at least i didn't get it) so i was out of the loop with the whole cole travelblog thing. i haven' really read any yet, but believe me, i will.