I had been looking forward to Hampi from the very start of my trip, despite knowing very little about it. However, the fact that it marked the location where Rama met Hanuman meant I knew it was going to be a wonderful experience, and I was not in any way disappointed.
The first thing that struck me as I leaned out of the train door approaching the station at Hampi was the fierce heat. Looking out, I observed all around me. The immense greenery of the fields, was matched only by the orange glow of the air, so bright was the sun.
It was probably the first time I felt as though I was now really in South India. Hindi was no longer spoken, and the signs were no longer in Hindi, so the little I had learned along the way was now useless. Having to rely on only my English, I left the train and made my way towards Hampi. I had arrived in the late afternoon, and with sunset not far away, I decided to spend my first day there just wondering around Hampi. I was immediately struck by its immense beauty. Mountains and boulders pervaded the landscape. The story goes that the Vanara Army, or the monkey army of Kishkinda, would throw these incredible rocks from the tops of the mountains to show off their strength.
Watching the sunset over the dried up river, and behind the mountains, I could not help but look forward to my days ahead.
