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September 16, 2003Holy RATS!!!!!!!!
I am Indiana Jones.... This morning I visited the Karni Mata temple. This temple is where thousands of rats run free among a temple, while you walk around barefoot. Being this is a holy Hindu temple, shoes are not an option. So, I paid my 20 rupees camera fee and went in search of the rats, which were piled up drinking from a huge bowl of milk. If a rat should run across your foot, it's a symbol of good luck, and if you spot a white rat, it is the rat incarnation of someone who will be a very holy saint. The story behind this odd rat worship is that a Hindu demigoddess named Karni Mata was somehow cursed/blessed by the fact that all of her descendents/devotees would be reincarnated as rats. So now all the rats are sacred and if you should accidentally kill one by stepping on it, you have to gift the temple with the rats weight in gold. I walked carefully after hearing this... We did a public bus to Deshnok, and it wasn't nearly as manic as Delhi. In fact, most of the men got up so we westerners who were melting could sit. Very polite people here in Bikaner, which is about 3-5 hours drive from the Pakistan border. After rats, I visited the Junagarh Fort, which is a huge complex. It was a a most impressive place to visit. Along with the fort, I visited the Old City and bought some really tasty India sweets. MMmmmmm...... I also know a good place in Delhi for them as well. Anyway, a note on trains in India. Dude, they are HOT. From now on, I am going to take the 3rd class AC reserved car as opposed to the 2nd class sleeper. I nearly choked from humidity and claustraphobia. But, I came out fine this morning, and had even gotten some sleep in. The trains in China were amazing compared to this! Not a prob though, I can adapt. Hope everyone is well. Comments
Hey Claudia. I'm glad India is going well so far. It seems like a very interesting place. I remember seeing something about the “rat palace” on one of those educational channels (Discovery, TLC, etc.). Anyway, you asked for news, so here it is: We’re going to the “Doctor” today to wish Joe good luck and commiserate about the situation. Sorry for the downer news…Bye. Mike Hi, Hi. Spicy crunchies? Mmmm.... Save some for me Claudia, k? Posted by: Ant on September 17, 2003 10:20 AMYou never said if a rat ran across your foot or if you saw a white rat? These are important (gross) details. Were they big healthy rats? or sikly looking? No Dehli Belly yet huh? That is definitely a good thing. And paying EXTRA for some comfort is definitely worth it! I mean, no AC in INDIA- what were you thinking? :) What kinda of sweets? Again, details! More news- I got promoted and an award with a crystal plaque, an extra bonus and a luncheon...not too shabby...and most importantly, an extra week of VACATION! yeah! (now I can come and see you while Sean is working.. he only has TWO weeks. haha.)
India already? Wow time really flies. Glad to hear you're not as weirded out by India as most of the people I've heard about. But that's right, you're Lara Croft! I'll be off around the world soon enough too! 32 days to go, and I'll be up in the ranks of ClaudiAntics! i got my ticket and i am excited Nice story!! Guess you had experience with rats from under the dishwasher. Remember Vanessa called Barbara because she had seen a rat, not a mouse. She was terrified. I guess it was meant to be. Did a white rat cross your foot? I sincerely hope so. Posted by: Mom on September 17, 2003 08:34 PMStephanie- contact Gloria re supplies. Posted by: Mom on September 17, 2003 08:36 PMHey Claud...sorry it's taken me this long to respond but I've been reading your blog regularly! I don't know how you do it! Sounds like you're having fun though. Be good! Posted by: Dana on September 18, 2003 12:14 PMSo many comments!! I was beginning to wonder if anyone was still reading. Ok, here goes... Mike, wow bad news with all those layoffs. I hope you are looking for and find work as well!! Chris, how did you find my site? Ant/Steph/Dusty/Mom/Dana/Eeyartee: Nope no rat ran over my foot which I was fine with because some of them were NAS-TAY. I didn't see a white one either, but that was ok with me as well. Vanessa: check your email. Posted by: Claudia on September 19, 2003 08:30 AMFound it paging through 'boots and New York caught my eye. Have fun. I'm heading to London next week |
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