Mysore is mint!

Since I'm on a nightbus writing this (which I'll get onto later) I'm going to jump straight into my experiences of Mysore. It was my favourite place so far. The sights, sounds and smells were all especially good. We only had one night, but could have stayed 2 or 3 had it not been for this hellish bus journey that was already booked. The 15th is Independence Day in India, a public holiday and a day of celebration.

The palace is the main landmark in Mysore and is even better inside than it was outside. Except that is, for the bent guards who extract money off arguably stupid  people then allow then to use their cameras to take sneaky photos (which is 'strictly prohibited'). But like I said in a precious post, Indians will do anything for you particularly if you pay.  

The market was one of the most intense places I've ever been in, perhaps heightened by the sheer volume of people packing out its maze like pathways. I took several snaps of brightly coloured flowers, sweet smelling jasmine, wizened chillies, paint powder, veg and fruit, even hand crafted knives. That was until I became crushed by humanity and all I wanted to find was the exit!

We spent a few hours being motored around the cows bedroom to see some of Mysore's specialist trades. Namely sandalwood, furniture, bidis and silk. Seeing how incense was made - and making some. Watching the intricate inlays carved into rosewood. Watching a remarkably healthy looking man roll and fill tobacco leaves into what they call bidis. He smoked 60 a day himself. It was a wicked few hours and insight into life of working Indians in this Karnatarkan city. 

At night the streets are fun. Carts and street vendors fill a short stretch of the road near a busy roundabout, where people devour all manner of fried up, chopped up, palm leaf plated fare. 

I liked that it was busy, but not over bearing and I saw some of the most interesting and unique things I've seen yet in India.