Ramoji Film City (accent on 1st syllable)

One P-Day all the missionaries in Hyderabad went to Ramoji Film City, which I had previously thought was for making movies, but it seems to be a tourist attraction on the order of Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm except a much smaller and more amateurish scale even though they advertise being the largest in the world. The mission pays for two excursions a year to see something unique. We pass the entrance often when going to the villages but you have to go way back into the hills to get to the sights. It was a long hot day as we soon saw nearly everything we were interested in. Too late Sisiter Fullmer and I saw across the way some grass sculptures of animals (bottom pic I think but you can't see them) but there was no time left to walk over there. All kinds of people stopped and asked to have a pic taken with me whenever we were sitting somewhere. It was pretty funny. All we could figure is that the white hair combined with the white skin was an attraction because they didn't want anyone else's picture but mine. A couple of them put sun glasses on me and a tiger striped hat. I should have had them use my camera too. White hair seems to be unusual. If people get white hair, they dye it black. Their hair is beautiful though--very shiny and thick. I guess we'll get two more such trips before going home. A couples' conference is also planned for February in Sri Lanka we hear but we will have to pay all the costs.

We spent most of the day with the Fullmers or at least Sister Fullmer as he was more adventurous than the rest of us and rode on all the rides while we watched. I don't think I've posted any of the rides but they were tame except one which Elder Fullmer took where two hammer things swing opposite directions until they swing all the way to the top and go all the way around. They asked him if he had heart trouble before he got on. You know Dad doesn't do well and I outgrew or pooped out of rides a long time ago. Most were for kids in preschool range. I swear I've lost 20 pounds but you sure can't tell in pix. One Sunday a young married man came up to me and said, "How is your health, sister?" I told him it was fine and he said, "You are losing too much weight. You must take care of your health." They obviously have a different way of looking at things but it is noticeable in person if not otherwise.

I see women carrying things on their heads nearly every day and want a picture but can't get the camera out in time or there are too many people. Barely caught these women as they were entering some building at Ramoji. One of these days I'll get a good one.