Touring with Chetan and Swami
After breakfast, Chetan took us to see some more of the town. We saw a mix of Christian, Hindu, and Muslim temples and churches, all existing just fine in close proximity to the other. It is impressive how in India all of these religions exist in the same space, yet seem to get along. Much like how America started out, India really is a melting pot of cultures.
While driving around, Chetan had Swami (our driver) take us to a small temple off the beaten path on a small hill with a view of the city, with Karunagiri in the distance. I can’t remember the name of the temple, but here are some pictures of us with Swami with the city in the background. We got a picture with Swami.
After some pictures and the small temple, Chetan took us to visit his Grandma (unfortunately didn’t take any pictures, but will have some with her from the wedding). This was he and Puji’s Dad’s mom, and a VERY sweet woman. Chetan had to translate, but it is amazing how even without being able to understand each other’s words, we could tell she was thrilled for us to have stopped by we immediately felt welcome as family.
Lunch at Puji’s Parents House
In all honesty, was the best meal of the whole trip. Had several different types of curries – chicken, deer, eggplant, egg – some dal (a vegetable soup-like dish, can be poured over rice or just eaten like soup), with some curd (yogurt) to be mixed in with rice to lessen the heat of food. My dad and I kept the curd close to our seats for easy access in case something got too hot.
I only had the chicken and deer curries along with the dahl, but those filled me up until I could eat no more. Indian food is traditionally eaten with the hands, so they get fairly oily and messy. To help clean the hands after a meal, a small bowl with hot water and a slice of lime helps cut the oil from the hands and leaves you citrus-y fresh.
After finishing lunch there were more friends and some family that stopped by to say hi, and we got Puji’s dad to bring out some old family photos! So we spent the early afternoon digesting the delicious meal and looking over some photos from Puji’s childhood, her parents’ wedding, and of her aunts, uncles, cousins, including some of the embarrassing childhood variety. There was even a picture of her grandfather with the prime minister of India! Funfact – her dad said this man (whom I’m sorry to not remember his name) fluently spoke 17 Definitely makes me feel like a slacker for still trying to master English.
Lord Laxminarasimha Swami Temple
After looking through all of the pictures, Vishnu (Puji’s dad) took Puji, my dad, and myself out to show us some more places in town. After a couple switchbacks in the road climbing a hill, we arrived at Lord Laxminarasimha (honestly can’t pronounce that one) Swami Temple. This place had a great view of Khammam, and reminded me of Elephant Rocks State Park how it seemed to be built on top of huge boulders.
While we were walking around and taking in the sights we came across another family visiting the hilltop temple and their young daughter came up to my dad and asked where we were from. The young ones definitely seem to not have any qualms about coming up to someone who is obviously a foreigner and asking where they are from. The innocence of a child’s curiosity is quite refreshing, plus a great ice breaker and conversation starter. Turns out the mother of the family even has a brother who live in California – small world! After visiting with them for a few minutes, was asked to take a picture (below).
Sports Complex
After visiting with the family and taking our last pictures, Vishnu took us to a nearby sports complex for a couple stops. We saw one Puji’s early tennis courts that she played on, got to see a cricket team practicing in nets (basically batting cages) to which I got to bowl and didn’t completely embarrass myself, walked through a small farmer’s market, got fresh coconut water, tried sugarcane juice, and then stopped at a “Hot Chips” stand for a variety of flavors as Puji was picking them out. Some reminded me of pork rinds, some hot fries, and some were completely different than what we have in the states.
Dinner
For dinner, we were joined by Puji and her father at the hotel restaurant, and then came up to the room to visit afterwards, bringing with them a bottle of Seagram’s 100 Pipers Scotch. We each had a few glasses – some neat, some with soda water – and enjoyed some quality time with Puji and her dad. We visited until around midnight when everyone started to tire, and Puji and her dad headed home and my dad and I crashed after another full day of sight-seeing.
An American in India 