Arrived in Mysore, also called Mysuru, in the state Karnataka - South of Bengaluru (Bangalore). I went here by train together with Oliver, Mathias and Ulf, whom I travelled arround with in Hampi. We went from Hampi Wednesday night and arrived in Mysore this morning, Thursday the 15th. We agreed to split us up again - I wouldn't be the one hanging on them all the time, and I'd like to meet future fellow travelers - and they would like to be just the three of them, which I fully understand.
However, Mysore is not the place to meet new people. There are almost no tourists so right now I am on my own again. I'm only staying here for two nights because I don't like cities that much - the indian countryside is much nicer :) Mysore is not a big city, but still it is rather big with arround 1-2 mio. people and a lot of traffic. Hampi is more me. I am really in love with that town. Cannot wait to get back there some day - I am coming back for sure!

From Mysore train station I went by rickshaw to a hostel in Mysore. I was amazed when I in Lonely Planet read that there was a hostel in Mysore, because they elsewhere in India are not existing. However, the hostel wasn't in the city center, I could only get one night there, and only Indian people stayed there (= not future travel mates) so I decided to drop it.
I then drove to a hotel in the city center where I got a room - and actually a single room! Normally they only have double rooms. So that was quite nice and the price is too - 250 rupees, arround 27 DKK pr. night. I took a shower and went afterwards to the in-house restaurant downstairs, which is really indian style. There were almost only indian people but I got some help to figure out the system from three Americans who have an apartment here in Mysore. I went for the typical indian meal: Thali. You get a big plate with rice, bread and 5-8 small indian dishes (good when you want to try different dishes) for 40-60 rupees incl. refill! Really nice :D And then you eat with your hands - you know rice with sauce and so... It is really sticky but fun to try it the indian way. It is very important to eat only with your right hand, because you use the left hand on the toilet.
Afterwards I went out to have a look at the city. A nice indian man came to me and told me different things about Mysore in understandable English. He showed me the way to Mysore's famous fruit and vegetable market, which is really beautiful and colourful. Then he brougt me to a Herbal Store, where he works. I got some chai tea and tried to make my own incense sticks (roegelsespinde). Then I had to try out the shops pure oils and ofcourse by some. The people in the shop were really nice, and the owner is a former Mr. India :D I tried the oils and ended up buying lemon grass oil to put into tea and water lily oil to use as mosquito repellent. The owner then asked me if I would like to translate the English oil list into Danish which I had no problem doing - I got 50 or so incense sticks and another cup of chai tea for doing it :) The English speaking man that brought me to the shop invited me on more tea which got changed to beer. I went with him but thought he behaved a little weird so I decided to leave him after the beer. I ended up paying for the entire beer (we shared) so I had no doubts about leaving him at that point. I then went to this net cafe and tonight's plans are pretty quiet. I think I'm going to bed early - it was a tough night in the train.

Tomorrow I'd like to go the Chamundi Hills, Mysore Palace and visit the market once more. After that I think that I'm already finished with the city and ready for heading towards Kerala so I got to buy some new train tickets already. That is also a project of tomorrow :)

All in all I am good. I still love India - and in particular the food :) But I am still looking for fellow travelers. It is exiting the way that you never know what happens next or tomorrow or the day after tomorrow - but it hard too: you need to be so aware, observant, considerate and careful all the time, especially when traveling alone. You look after new possibilities all the time and at the same time you need to watch out and make sure that you do the right thing. But it is very learning.

Take care all of you.

Signe