Holidays. Have some happy ones, ok?

Above: Will at the southernmost point of India

I am here with Tom and Paula on the southern tip of India, where the Bay of Bengal, The Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean meet in that theoretical sense that large bodies of water do! To me, it’s all the Pacific, but whatever. I guess it sounds more romantic if you imagine three goliaths of immense waters meeting, so we can go with that.

This town, Kaniyakumari, is incredibly popular with domestic Indian tourists as there is a big Hindu temple here. There is a loud festive market, reminiscent of an American flea market, that sells things like fluorescent dolphin keychains, mirrors in the shape of an ‘om’ made from seashells and, strangely, winter coats. I guess I understand the tacky shell items as souvenirs, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out why people are buying these heavy coats. It is hot here- we are only about 5 degrees north of the equator, so it isn’t like anyone is at risk of frostbite. It goes to show, just when you think you have India figured out, you see a guy in 90 degree weather wearing a winter coat and shorts and you sort of have to scratch your head for a minute.

Back home in Colorado, I hear that it is cold, and hope it’s a white Christmas. I am about the ‘whitest’ thing around here, so people frequently ask to have photos of me taken with them. Today after one of these little photosessions, I asked for ten rupees as a joke (many holy men in India ask for a small donation like this for a photo). The hapless South Indian vacationer started reaching for his wallet, but then I smiled and told him I was not being serious. I am not sure if Indians understand my humor.

I have been traveling for going on four months now, and I have a lot left. I miss everyone back home, especially now during the holidays.

From the bottom of India and my heart, Merry Christmas (or other holiday) and happy new year!