Like Florida, but way better: Varkala Beach India
Monday, January 29th, 2007
Ahh…we’ve discovered a real gem. Our departure from Bangalore (which I’ve affectionately dubbed Bangashitlore) was not without drama and despair. A waiter directed us to the train station using a shortcut, which basically involved dark creepy streets which are best to be avoided by two American whimps at 9pm. We were trudging along, and passed group of wild dogs. Stray dogs are everywhere in Bangalore, but we were assured by locals that they were harmless. Well these dogs either hated our huge packs, or they were just plain racist…because they started growling. One snarl lead to another, and the next thing you know we’re power walking like a Midwestern mom down a dark street heaving huge 40 lb packs getting chased by another pack of barking snarling wild dogs. I haven’t experienced fear that real…maybe ever. I was just waiting to be robbed of a huge chunk of calf-flesh…and was trying to think about how I’d avoid falling down and getting mauled by all of them. It was terrifying. Luckily the dogs acted as though they were contained by an invisible fence, they stopped once they reached about 8 feet from my heels. Animal rights shmanimal rights, if anyone from the Bangalorean government is reading this right now, do your city a favor and shoot the gd dogs.
We finally reached the train and boarded for our 16 hour ride. I won’t go into detail, but it wasn’t necessarily our favorite. Here is a picture of JR trying to get some shut-eye:
The 16 hour train ride was well worth it. Varkala Beach is on the western coast near the southern tip of India, on the Arabian sea. Its absolutely stunning. [read on]
Well I just found out today that upon our arrival in India, I get to go shopping. For a salwar. Yep, this is what I'll be wearing everybody. This get-up will look ... 
brooke.pearson8