Dugappana Katte and leeches!

I am back from my 3-day trip to Kalasa and nearby places in the Malnad region of Karnataka, more known for nature, coffee, spices, and the people's hospitality. I now add leeches for a different kind of hospitality that they provide :-).

The sunday started with a visit to the temple and then to the amazing Hanumangudi falls near Kudremukh. I strongly advise people to take an extra pair of inner clothes and towel so that you do not miss the dip in the water there. The falls reach the ground from a height of 50 feet only but it the intensity and the force that makes you stay there for long.

We reached our hotel at around 4 pm and after a late lunch we planned on the Maidaddi view point. One of the locals, told us that this place is "infested" with leech at this point of time and that we try Dugappana katte instead. We decided on this katte place. Technically katte is the kannada word for the spot below a tree or benches where people idly sit around gossiping about the daily grind. It is a term more fondly remembered by guys who sit around dragging a single cigarette amongst themselves or sharing a by-two tea and buns during the much awaited coffee breaks during college. My katte was the malayalee kaaka bakery near my PESIT college and the katte opposite to Cool Joint when in PU. So we reach the foothill of this place at around 5 pm and take the path made flat by people and animals that go up the hill.

After a weary day we were looking forward for a relaxing stay at the hill top and viewing the town from there. These days, fresh air in Bangalore is at a premium. All set we start the climb. Remember we are without any trek gear except for the clothes and the footwear since this place is near to the town and that we are only staying there for a short time. On the way when we walked for around 300 meters, one of my friends let out a yell. We all close in and notice that a slimy creature, that is an inch tall is making its way up my friend's foot. Then we realized that it was a leech; the kind that thrives on blood and rather very enthusiastically.

We looked around only to be welcomed by hordes of leeches that were surrounding us. They were all sticking up the ground. We then decided to walk fast and never give these creatures a chance to suck our blood. The worst part was that, these leeches do not sting, let alone a prick, to make you feel that someone is hurting you. We started walking briskly and followed the path, stopping very regularly to ward off the leeches. We reached the peak, and lost no time capturing a few moments of our journey at the top, and started our descent around 5:30 pm. I specifically remember the time lines cuz they are very important in this tryst.

Our walk back was busy looking for leeches. We were so engrossed about the leeches, that we missed the path that we took. We kept on walking along the ledges that we never realized that we are on the wrong track. We kept walking until we thought that this was not the path we took early. By this time, leeches were happily enjoying their sunday meal and around 2 leeches were busy helping themselves to my O+ blood. The very sight of those creatures made me wiggle. I carefully removed them off my feet and there were blood specks on my toes and feet. One fat leech stuck itself deep into my friend's foot that we had to remove it after lighting a match near the foot. Probably it was a spinster I guess ;). Keshava- your gf in your previous birth :)

The time is now 5:45 pm and we have reached a point of no return. We had around 30-40 minutes before daylight ends and the nightlife would start in that region. Wonder if the Smirnoff guys had any clue when they came out with their caption--life is calling...where are you? With a box of matches and nothing else we had to face the night if we were further stuck there. Some guys started to panic, and one friend regularly yelled for help. We could not miss the laugh when he kept yelling for help. All our navigational skills were now put to use. Some guys came up with tossing the coin.

Finally we retraced our route and reached the point where we faced two paths. We now took the other part and lo and behold! we saw our vehicle after walking for 300 m itself. It was 6:10 pm now :-). The next 15 minutes was spent removing and checking our footwear, socks and one guy took off his track pants too to check if there was any leech. I guess the airport security too would have felt medieval in comparison to our check. All exhausted we reached our rooms and ended the day driving back to B'lore. I am sure every person who reached the point of return had a prayer on his lips seeking the Almighty's help.

I hope to add the pics as and when I get them.

Till the next time, I hope the lost blood is replenished by now :)