It took most of the morning on buses to get to this old city, capital to a few dynasties in south India. I found a hotel close to the bus station, but this is perhaps the rudest staff I’ve encountered. After waiting to have a look at a room, the manager throws the keys towards and they fall onto the floor. Then the guy showing me the room kept asking for money. I registered and paid, then he followed me back to my room and asked for money. I slammed the door in his face and locked it. Then a little while later, a knock on the door. Someone else came in to spray something in the room, then was touching my clothes asking if they need to be washed then he starts pulling on my finger trying to crack it or something. I see now why my travel guide says it might be a bad idea to spend the night in this city since there is a culture of harassment.
In the afternoon I got to see the 7th century Kailasanatha Temple and the 16th century Sri Ekambaranathar Temple. At the first one some guys were asking me to pay for a camera fee. But I asked for the ticket and they didn’t have one, so I think they were lying and I didn’t pay. The second temple was huge with a really tall doors, I had to find a place to hide my shoes and I went in. Inside there were dark pillared corridors with some cows and horses. They were doing some sort of ceremony with the animals, but a little strange to notice you have to take your shoes and socks off, but cows and horses can walk around making a mess. Outside there were elephants walking down the road. One grabbed a branch off a tree and started eating it. I guess that’s one way to trim your trees!
The night was pretty bad. The room wasn’t sealed and there were a lot of mosquitoes getting in. I must have killed at least 50 through the night and I didn’t sleep much at all. Instead I was watching some movies and videos on my computer. I decided it was my last night in this city.