Journeys of L: Bay of Bengal

Today we went to this beach town called Mahabalipuram (I think). We shopped at all the little hole in the wall shops and got harassed by all the street vendors, and I brushed up on my superb negotiating skills. We had 3 or 4 guys follow us around for about an hour, all around the ancient temples trying to sell us these elephants that they put their blood, sweat and tears into. Funny how all 27 men can make the exact same thing. After an hour of ignoring them and trying to escape them, they told us we were crazy Americans and never to come back to their shop. Not a problem. I did buy a batik that I liked, the guy started at 400 Rs. and I offered him 50 so he gave me his sob story about how he has 4 beautiful children, he has never drank alcohol yada yada, so we agree on 150 and then after I bought it we asked him how much they really cost and he said 50 Rs. Sucker. Then there was this elephant I really wanted but it was big and heavy and he was asking 1800 Rs. so like $30. He wouldn't come down enough so we left and then went back and then left again, but this time he sent his little runner boy to come to our bus to bargain and he offered it for 800 Rs. but I still said no. I drive a hard bargain. Anyway, after that we went to this beach resort which was really nice, totally different from the village we went shopping in and went to the beach at the Bay of Bengal. Elle and I were on the beach when this guy asked if we wanted to go out on his skiff (there were like 30 all up and down the beach) so we wanted to, so we got eric to come with us so they didn't murder us. The guy brought his whole family out so there were like 7 of them and 3 of us. They brought us out some life vests which were hilarious, and then started putting the boat together, literally. They carried the motor out from their house and connected it to the skiff somehow then started pushing it out. We jumped in and out we went. It was kind of terrifying because I was convinced they were pirates and it was the perfect place for them to murder us but they didn't. He let us stand at the front and hold on to this rope and ride the waves and it was way fun. I guess the whole point was to take us far out to swim but we didn't want to get in the water to we just floated for a while out there in the middle of the ocean. That was when I was certain we were going to die, but again we didn't. We made it back safe and sound and it was fun. On our way back to the hostel we stopped at our first Indian restaurant for this food that I can't remember the name of, big surprise, and there were flies everywhere. I have never seen so many flies in my life. The food was actually good though and we are all still alive so far. We all just came back and chilled for a bit and then we had movie night with the kids. All 200 of them piled into their dining hall and we watched hercules. We sat on the ground and of course I was holding 4 kids and I have never been so uncomfortable in my life. After the movie we laid on the roof and found constellations in the stars. Anyway, that about sums up the day, enjoy the pictures.