October 26, 2023
Day 14 (Ranebennur to Shivamogga)
Indian hospitality
I started early today after spending the night in a guest room at a petrol pump (gas station). Even though I had thought of using my tent for the first time here in India, the boys working 24-hour shifts at this IndianOil petrol pump warned me about the possibility of scorpions and snakes in this arid region of my state. So, I used my tent but chose to sleep inside the building.
I hit the road by 7 a.m. to avoid the sweltering heat and met more kind-hearted Indian villagers, whom I had been "dreading". One villager invited me to his home for breakfast, even though he was busy tending to his farm between the critical hours of 7-9 a.m., which is when they have access to electricity and can pump water. I let him carry on with his work, and I continued my journey.
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Then, I encountered more such kind-hearted individuals, including one who extended an invitation to his home for lunch. He was a teacher/farmer returning from his farm on a motorbike. I ended up stopping at his place, taking a refreshing cold water shower, and enjoying a wholesome lunch prepared by his mother. The apple juice she had made was so delicious that I couldn't resist having two glasses of it. After refilling my water supply, I resumed my journey. Another villager, a truck driver this time, kindly bought me tea. Fortunately, he didn't have change, allowing me to repay some of the kindness shown to me.
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Today's route took me mostly along back roads, offering beautiful scenery with paddy fields, areca nut trees, and coconut farms.
Towards the end of the day, I encountered a couple of young people riding a scooter. They rode alongside me, providing conversation and motivation as I tried to outpace the fast-approaching darkness. Before we parted ways, they treated me to lassi (buttermilk) and then baadam-haalu (almond milk). Each time, I offered to pay, but they insisted on covering the cost.
Today's ride: 130 km (81 miles)
Total: 1,458 km (905 miles)
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