Belgaum: A Day Off

Today is a much earned day off after 8 distributions done; 900 bedkits to go, in 2 distributions.  It has been a busy week of leaving Belgaum daily going to 8 different sites, driving north, east, west and south from Belgaum.  We are now getting familiar with the highways and road.  The many sights along the roads of people, farms, cows, and homes are still of interest.  We never lose the urge to take just one more picture of a child or family.  Even at the distribution cameras are always at the ready. We don't want to miss one memory.  Today is a day off to relax.  We are going sight seeing and shopping.


We drive an hour out of Belgaum to visit an ancient Shri Temple in the village of Hashi. It was built 800-1000 years ago.  A guide in the temple the different gods and statues.  The includes a statue of a pig's head with a human body.  The statues are very detailed with cravings   The temple is maintained by a young man who has taken over the responsibilities that his father had previously.  Children and adults from the local school come in and pray and light candles.

We stop for coffee at a friend of bus driver's home.  It is an neat old building with many bedrooms and beautiful wooden doors.


We head back to Belgaum to go to a big market. On a Saturday the market is buzzing, lots of people.  Anything you want to buy from spices, clothing, fruits, vegetables, shoes, purses, etc are available.  There are streets and streets of these market stalls

Our first stop is at the gold and silver store to get some "bling".  We move on to the candy store for some sweets to take home.  We are given generous samples of the goodies.  We stop at the copper shop and buy some copper jugs. Hope they will fit in the luggage.  Next some cashews for which India is known for.

Time to call it a day, money is getting low and so we take a quick trip in a Rickshaw that gets us safely back to the hotel with time to relax before dinner.   A good day off.

Team Belgaum 2015
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