A Weekend of Fieldtrips!

When Rakhal told us we had two very long travel days ahead of us, I was not looking forward to it. Bumpy windy roads are not comfortable and combined with the fact that the roads/heights freak me out...a lot.

That being said, it was a surprisingly pleasant past few days: Enjoy this lovely picture show. 

SATURDAY: 

We embarked on our very bumpy journey to a collection of monoliths that are amongst the oldest monoliths in India. We passed some villages, some trash, and some rice paddies. You know, India.

 Here's a picture of the monoliths and some really cool old trees. 

We walked through a market. 

 

 Rakhal asked me if I wanted to go to a temple where they used to do human sacrifice. He asked as if he thought I wouldn't. Come one, of course I want to go!

And there were some really cute kids there. They were super excited when we gave them candy. 

 

We had lunch on the side of the road next to a rice paddy. In spite of our insistence that we can make our own PB&J sandwiches, the chef made our lunches...sardine sandwiches. Luckily Subrata (Rakhal's wife and one of our professors) made us a delicious chickpea and pumpkin dish. 

We then went to a Khasi (an indigenous tribe of the area) village where we visited the home of the queen and her husband. (He is not the chief because it's a matrilineal society. Instead, the queen's brother is the chief...pretty cool!) Her husband greeted us, told us some facts, showed us his beautiful home and even took us inside! I petted the cat of the Khasi Queen...what?!

 

We then watched some archery practice. 

SUNDAY:

On Sunday we were told that we would have a very long 4 hour drive to the Living Root Bridge. It started off as a cold and rainy day and after Rakhal told us we'd have to watch out for leeches on the walk down, I was very hesitant. But it was a great day! It was only 3 hours and an easy drive. We sang some songs and the walk to the bridge was nice and easy. It wasn't raining and the bridge was so cool!

Then we visited the "cleanest village." Like all of India they have a no littering policy. Unlike the rest of India, they follow it. It was a beautiful little village and a nice sunny...and hot...day. Here are some pictures of pretty flowers of India's "cleanest village."  

 

Overall, great last weekend in Shillong!