I'm really sorry for the terrible pun in the title. We can't stop punning (or "pundering EVERYWAH" - in a grotesque but oh-so-right parody of "chundering EVERYWAH") at the moment. Whatever we do, wherever we go, there is a suitably rubbish and inappropriate pun to light our way.
And here we are in Goa. What a sensationally stunning (I love a bit of alliteration) place this is. If you think postcard paradise, you're subliminally thinking of Goa - it's the kind of place that advertisers have forced down your throat with the promise of "Get away from it all! Relax and don't worry because it's all fine and look at this pretty island with palm trees and blue skies look look LOOK AT IT". The beauty of a Goan sunset is beyond my powers of prose, but I've taken some photos of course so they may do the job, although to be honest I doubt it. It's something you really have to experience for yourself.
We are staying in a small fishing village called Arambol, it's a little off the main tourist track and all the nicer for it, though there are stil plenty of backpackers and hippies here (lots of pirate trousers). We found the place through our friend Kai from Singapore, who we met in Dharamsala, and he also told us about an awesome (and cheap) place to stay right on the beach. So we have our own tiny beach hut and can literally step out of it onto a Goan beach (no pun this time). It's pretty crazy because as I got up for my morning swim yesterday I was thinking about how hard I have worked - through my final exams, through the first half of this year, through everything that's happened - and that I have finally made it, and suddenly it all came crashing down and was a bit overwhelming and emotional and I was filled with a weird kind of pride in everything I have achieved recently and in the past. And then, excellently, just at the peak of my moment of profound pride and deep self-realisation, this mental, drunken, drugged up hippy started letting off fire-crackers on the beach claiming that he was King of the Beach and ranting about some girl called Julia who "never came back". Wonderful. To be honest, that only increased my enjoyment of that particular moment in time.
Plans for the next few days are uncertain. We will probably be sticking around here for a while, hopefully meeting up with my friend Rosie who arrives in Goa tomorrow, though I'm not sure where she's staying. You will all be pleased to hear I'm sure that my tan is deepening by the day, although to be honest I am still bloody pale, especially compared to all the seasoned hippies out here who are at skin-cancer/Paris Hilton levels of tan.
Miss you all, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <3
Sunday, 27 March 2011
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Leaving On A Jet Plane (for real)
Still in Delhi as I write this - we have one more night, and we have booked a flight to Goa tomorrow morning so, very excitingly, we will be in Goa by tomorrow afternoon! Excellent. Not that we are particularly hating Delhi this time round actually - we have become used to the noise and the sounds and the smells (oh, the smells...). We've delved into Indian street food with some fresh bamboo juice amongst other things, and delved straight back into non-Indian food by consuming copious amounts of lemon cake. It's been a nice couple of days, though we have had to make sure at least 20% of our conversations are intellectual (this morning, we tackled the economic stability of Germany in comparison to Japan) to make up for the ridiculous amount of shit/"BANTAH" that has seeped its way into our daily lives. This was totally encouraged and added to by phrases we picked up from Dave, Rob and Nick. We cannot now have a conversation without either reciting Gap Yah, or saying "Boycieeee?", "Haaaaaaay", "Shit son", "Ah shweeeeeeet", "Savage", "Abso-fucking-lutely", "Red four red four red four anyone for a red four? Red four red four... Black four black four anyone for a black four?" etc.etc., the list goes on, to the point where we can have an entire conversation without anyone else knowing what the hell we're saying. Hence our new resolution to ration our conversation so that we don't look like complete antisocial freaks.
Otherwise we haven't been up to too much. We went to the Gandhi memorial today which was really moving, and had some quiet time there to just reflect and learn and absorb. After our amazingly sociable last few weeks, it was calming to concentrate on something other than ourselves and our state of minds, pretentious as I'm sure that sounds. We also booked a flight to Goa - we could've got the train but to be honest we are more than a little bit over Indian trains, and since we only have a couple more weeks here we have decided to take the quicker option and fly. So our flight leaves tomorrow morning early and we will be in Goa by the afternoon which is fantastic - so very excited to hit the beach!
I mentioned in my last post that I'd been bitten by a dog - it's not serious or anything, the rabies shots were just a precaution. I don't think I have got actual rabies, although I am sharper than ever with the people that stop me on the street now ("Rickshaw?" "No, I have legs" ... "Where do you come from?" "The moon" etc.). I thought I would have to have five, but I went to the most hilariously ridiculous medical clinic in the world today (but amazingly efficient - I literally walked straight in and was seen by Doctor Gupta) and apparently I should be fine with just the two that I've already had, though he's taken a (very expensive...) blood test just to make sure I have enough antibodies in my blood stream, or something. Anyway, this is only a continuation of my crappy luck with foreign animals (cheetah, monkeys etc.) so it's not really surprising! But hopefully this will be the end of it and I won't need anymore jabs - I get the results back in a week by email. India can be remarkably efficient if you're willing to pay...
Anyway, I will stop there, because I need to pack up before our Goa flight tomorrow. Missing you all very much indeed, lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <3
Otherwise we haven't been up to too much. We went to the Gandhi memorial today which was really moving, and had some quiet time there to just reflect and learn and absorb. After our amazingly sociable last few weeks, it was calming to concentrate on something other than ourselves and our state of minds, pretentious as I'm sure that sounds. We also booked a flight to Goa - we could've got the train but to be honest we are more than a little bit over Indian trains, and since we only have a couple more weeks here we have decided to take the quicker option and fly. So our flight leaves tomorrow morning early and we will be in Goa by the afternoon which is fantastic - so very excited to hit the beach!
I mentioned in my last post that I'd been bitten by a dog - it's not serious or anything, the rabies shots were just a precaution. I don't think I have got actual rabies, although I am sharper than ever with the people that stop me on the street now ("Rickshaw?" "No, I have legs" ... "Where do you come from?" "The moon" etc.). I thought I would have to have five, but I went to the most hilariously ridiculous medical clinic in the world today (but amazingly efficient - I literally walked straight in and was seen by Doctor Gupta) and apparently I should be fine with just the two that I've already had, though he's taken a (very expensive...) blood test just to make sure I have enough antibodies in my blood stream, or something. Anyway, this is only a continuation of my crappy luck with foreign animals (cheetah, monkeys etc.) so it's not really surprising! But hopefully this will be the end of it and I won't need anymore jabs - I get the results back in a week by email. India can be remarkably efficient if you're willing to pay...
Anyway, I will stop there, because I need to pack up before our Goa flight tomorrow. Missing you all very much indeed, lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <3
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Leaving on a Jet Plane (well, a Jet Bus...)
We finally left Mcleod Ganj/Dharamsala on the bus last night... Bad times. Missing the boys and the place and everything about our time there really, it's pretty devastating. Don't have much else to say. We're back in Delhi feeling low, so we treated ourselves to a nice place to stay with a hot shower that's not a bucket. And a LOT of chocolate and marmite sandwiches. So that's how we're getting through the day really, that and copious amounts of internet time.
I got bitten by a stray dog - not ideal. Rabies shots for me, and we all know how much I loveee hospitals (not).
Anyway, as much as we hated leaving and as much as that was such a special time for both Charlotte and I, we are looking onward and upward, and Goa and the sunshine is waiting for us.
Lots of love xxxxxxxxxxx <3
I got bitten by a stray dog - not ideal. Rabies shots for me, and we all know how much I loveee hospitals (not).
Anyway, as much as we hated leaving and as much as that was such a special time for both Charlotte and I, we are looking onward and upward, and Goa and the sunshine is waiting for us.
Lots of love xxxxxxxxxxx <3
Sunday, 20 March 2011
Epic Train Fail
I have absolutely neglected this blog recently, for which, yet again, I apologise. Even more apologies if I have missed your birthday/engagement/Bar Mitzvah/Holy Communion - please let me know so I can feel suitably bad and try and make it up to you somehow. Maybe I will buy you a present. Maybe.
So, I was gutted to be leaving Dharamsala last time I wrote here. Luckily for me, we just sort of... didn't leave. Like, we fully, fully intended to, to the point where we started saying goodbye to the boys (I can't remember if I wrote that we met a lovely group of boys from Brighton?! They are all complete diamonds and we have had a lot of fun alternating between being culture-seekers in the daytime and "Lads on Tour" to make Queen and Country proud in the evenings.) and then we just sort of... didn't go. It's like, we both looked at each other, and I sort of believe in mental ESP connections and Charlotte and I's profound mental connection was in glorious unison, and it was saying, "...Naahhh....". So we stayed and we have been here ever since.
I think I had been to the waterfall with Rob last time I wrote. This morning, Dave, Rob and I went to the Tibetan museum and temple, which was incredible and made me so angry at the injustice the Tibetan people have faced. Then we ate cake, which seemed incongruous but also appropriate because even suffering Tibetans have to eat. Now Rob and I are heading off to learn how to make momos (traditional Tibetan food) and we will hook up with the guys for dinner and a singalong (we hurt our voices and our pride trying to master Steve Tyler last night).
We will go, soon, probably. But I really don't want to.
Miss you all, lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <3
So, I was gutted to be leaving Dharamsala last time I wrote here. Luckily for me, we just sort of... didn't leave. Like, we fully, fully intended to, to the point where we started saying goodbye to the boys (I can't remember if I wrote that we met a lovely group of boys from Brighton?! They are all complete diamonds and we have had a lot of fun alternating between being culture-seekers in the daytime and "Lads on Tour" to make Queen and Country proud in the evenings.) and then we just sort of... didn't go. It's like, we both looked at each other, and I sort of believe in mental ESP connections and Charlotte and I's profound mental connection was in glorious unison, and it was saying, "...Naahhh....". So we stayed and we have been here ever since.
I think I had been to the waterfall with Rob last time I wrote. This morning, Dave, Rob and I went to the Tibetan museum and temple, which was incredible and made me so angry at the injustice the Tibetan people have faced. Then we ate cake, which seemed incongruous but also appropriate because even suffering Tibetans have to eat. Now Rob and I are heading off to learn how to make momos (traditional Tibetan food) and we will hook up with the guys for dinner and a singalong (we hurt our voices and our pride trying to master Steve Tyler last night).
We will go, soon, probably. But I really don't want to.
Miss you all, lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <3
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Little Tibet
So here we are in Dharamsala - actually, we are in Mcleod Ganj to be precise, and to be even more precise (if ever more preciseness was needed then it must be now) our hostel is in a cute little village called Bhagsu. What a stunning spot, this is easily my favourite (and Charlotte's too I think although I wouldn't want to speak for her) place so far, and possibly ever. I have had the time of my life here - hence lack of internet access for the past few days, I literally just haven't been bothered. Appalling excuse I know, and apologies for any crucial birthdays/weddings/baby births (don't know how likely that last one is but you never know) I have missed, let me know and I will send appropriate congratulations.
I don't even have anything funny to say about this place (well, I do actually, there is as much comedy value here as there ever was in any bits of India - wild ponies running down the road as a dog eats from a flaming wheelbarrow, for example). We heard the Dalai Lama's momentous speech first-hand which was powerful and incredible and such a stroke of luck (we literally got off the train at 3am and met a Swedish guy called John who asked, "Are you here to see the Dalai Lama speak this morning?" and we were like "Er... I guess so?" And so off we went at 9am after a gruelling 3 hour drive up into the mountains and one and a half hours' sleep - amazing).
We've done all sorts of bits and pieces here, nothing insane but everything awesome (if that makes any sense?). We've teamed up with the loveliest group of boys - British, Danish and Swedish - all so much fun, and been doing bits and pieces of cultural stuff/chilled out stuff with them. Rob and I trekked up (well, I say "trek"... it was about a thirty minute walk up and twenty minutes back, but it was over mountainous terrain and I was wearing my trusty Topshop ballet flats - practical shoe choice has always been something which eludes me, and continues to do so - so I still say it counts as a trek because of the inner mountain goat I had to unleash in order to stay upright and keep hold of my camera). The waterfall was the most beautiful, powerful place, just hearing the rushing water and seeing the rainbow over it was the best, can't even describe it. Although actually, I spent a disproportionate amount of time trying to get a good photo of a mountain goat, but I got one in the end. Thank God for that. I also failed miserably at skimming stones, but I am now a dab hand at Stupid Irish Snap. Which I will teach anyone at home who asks, but I wouldn't bother asking if you value your brain cells/the hands of your opponent.
In short, I will miss Mcleod Ganj with all my heart. I don't know what else to say really. A piece of me will always be here, at this moment in time, with these people in this place. But that's travelling for you, and move on we must and shall, so it is off to Mumbai tomorrow via Delhi and a couple of night trains. To say I'm devastated to go would be an understatement but there's no other option, so we are staying positive, there is still so much to see and do and we are so psyched for Goa it's unbelievable.
Miss you all, masses of love, keep safe xxxxxxxxxxxx <3
I don't even have anything funny to say about this place (well, I do actually, there is as much comedy value here as there ever was in any bits of India - wild ponies running down the road as a dog eats from a flaming wheelbarrow, for example). We heard the Dalai Lama's momentous speech first-hand which was powerful and incredible and such a stroke of luck (we literally got off the train at 3am and met a Swedish guy called John who asked, "Are you here to see the Dalai Lama speak this morning?" and we were like "Er... I guess so?" And so off we went at 9am after a gruelling 3 hour drive up into the mountains and one and a half hours' sleep - amazing).
We've done all sorts of bits and pieces here, nothing insane but everything awesome (if that makes any sense?). We've teamed up with the loveliest group of boys - British, Danish and Swedish - all so much fun, and been doing bits and pieces of cultural stuff/chilled out stuff with them. Rob and I trekked up (well, I say "trek"... it was about a thirty minute walk up and twenty minutes back, but it was over mountainous terrain and I was wearing my trusty Topshop ballet flats - practical shoe choice has always been something which eludes me, and continues to do so - so I still say it counts as a trek because of the inner mountain goat I had to unleash in order to stay upright and keep hold of my camera). The waterfall was the most beautiful, powerful place, just hearing the rushing water and seeing the rainbow over it was the best, can't even describe it. Although actually, I spent a disproportionate amount of time trying to get a good photo of a mountain goat, but I got one in the end. Thank God for that. I also failed miserably at skimming stones, but I am now a dab hand at Stupid Irish Snap. Which I will teach anyone at home who asks, but I wouldn't bother asking if you value your brain cells/the hands of your opponent.
In short, I will miss Mcleod Ganj with all my heart. I don't know what else to say really. A piece of me will always be here, at this moment in time, with these people in this place. But that's travelling for you, and move on we must and shall, so it is off to Mumbai tomorrow via Delhi and a couple of night trains. To say I'm devastated to go would be an understatement but there's no other option, so we are staying positive, there is still so much to see and do and we are so psyched for Goa it's unbelievable.
Miss you all, masses of love, keep safe xxxxxxxxxxxx <3
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Pizza and Sunsets
Ok, we caved. Our stomachs leading the way, we found ourselves through no fault of our own in our hostel restaurant, where they make excellent Italian food, and I ordered a pizza... So it only took two weeks for the "I am going to fully immerse myself in the culture and eat Indian food forever and ever (until we get to Thailand)" mask to drop. To be honest, I've also been eating vegetarian chow mein as well as curries. It's not that I don't like Indian food, I really do, I just don't like eating the same kind of food day after day after day, no matter how nice it is. Pizza was a lazy choice but, much as I want to regret it, it was too delicious. Back to Indian food tomorrow.
We have had a pretty quiet time in Rishikesh. I went on a solo expedition yesterday, a lone ranger stepping forth fearlessly across the void etc.etc. (I took a stroll by myself down by the river for an hour or so). We have been listening to a LOT of Taylor Swift but I made up for it by seeing in the sunset today with a bit of Johnny Cash which was hauntingly atmospheric. I have been meaning to do a proper clothes wash but never got round to it. Basically, we have thoroughly enjoyed our time here, nosing round the little town at our leisure, eating good food and drinking good (cheap) tea and admiring the Ganges from all angles. Last night as we were wandering back across the rickety, precarious footbridge with cows and monkeys hanging off it, we passed a hippy couple dressed up as pirates (with fake swords and everything) having what looked like a wedding ceremony but to be honest who the hell knows. There are a lot of people dressed like pirates here - people keep asking us if we are new in town, presumably because we are not dressed like pirates. We have also met a shopkeeper who speaks only in the language of that old "Mr Bombastic" song by Shaggy. This is a sample of his attempts to sell us his wares: "This is bombastic, this one fantastic, this Mr. Lover Lover. Have a bombastic day, fantastic, see you later alligator, in a while crocodile". Charlotte and I have to steel ourselves to face his endless onslaught of song lyrics but it is well worth it for the comedy value. He also uttered the immortal phrase when a man asked him for a discount that sums up our entire Indian experience perfectly: "Everything is possible... but this is not possible". India in a nutshell.
Tomorrow afternoon we move on to Dharamsala, arriving at the highly sociable hour of 4am - lovely. I am going to keep my beady eyes peeled for a sight of the Dalai Lama (though God knows what I would do if I actually saw him?! "I'm loving your work" doesn't quite cut it). I am just going to googleimage him now so I will recognise him if we see him in the street.
Miss you all, as always. Loads of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <3
We have had a pretty quiet time in Rishikesh. I went on a solo expedition yesterday, a lone ranger stepping forth fearlessly across the void etc.etc. (I took a stroll by myself down by the river for an hour or so). We have been listening to a LOT of Taylor Swift but I made up for it by seeing in the sunset today with a bit of Johnny Cash which was hauntingly atmospheric. I have been meaning to do a proper clothes wash but never got round to it. Basically, we have thoroughly enjoyed our time here, nosing round the little town at our leisure, eating good food and drinking good (cheap) tea and admiring the Ganges from all angles. Last night as we were wandering back across the rickety, precarious footbridge with cows and monkeys hanging off it, we passed a hippy couple dressed up as pirates (with fake swords and everything) having what looked like a wedding ceremony but to be honest who the hell knows. There are a lot of people dressed like pirates here - people keep asking us if we are new in town, presumably because we are not dressed like pirates. We have also met a shopkeeper who speaks only in the language of that old "Mr Bombastic" song by Shaggy. This is a sample of his attempts to sell us his wares: "This is bombastic, this one fantastic, this Mr. Lover Lover. Have a bombastic day, fantastic, see you later alligator, in a while crocodile". Charlotte and I have to steel ourselves to face his endless onslaught of song lyrics but it is well worth it for the comedy value. He also uttered the immortal phrase when a man asked him for a discount that sums up our entire Indian experience perfectly: "Everything is possible... but this is not possible". India in a nutshell.
Tomorrow afternoon we move on to Dharamsala, arriving at the highly sociable hour of 4am - lovely. I am going to keep my beady eyes peeled for a sight of the Dalai Lama (though God knows what I would do if I actually saw him?! "I'm loving your work" doesn't quite cut it). I am just going to googleimage him now so I will recognise him if we see him in the street.
Miss you all, as always. Loads of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <3
Sunday, 6 March 2011
More Cows, A Monkey, Sweaty Trains
I know I always say "this post will be a quick one" and ramble on, but this post actually will be a quick one because I am going to get some fresh (non-train, mountain) air in a minute. We travelled in various forms for about 36 hours to get from Jaisalmer to Rishikesh, where we currently (FINALLY) are. The night train was actually fine this time, long (4pm - 11.30am...) but fine. We were in a compartment with someone who snored a LOT and also a really friendly, earnest old engineer man who was lovely but also over-talkative and kept offering to read my palm which was a bit new-age and creepy for my liking.
We had to change in Delhi which was a massive hot mission-y horrible experience. My grasp of the English language weakens in direct correlation with my feelings at that precise moment. It was sweltering, we were un-showered and still in our desert clothes, I hadn't washed my hair in five days (my fringe was going curly), we hadn't eaten or drunk anything in 24 hours and everyone kept telling us things that blatantly weren't true ("Oh, your train is nine and a half hours late" "No it isn't, leave me alone" etc.) and asking for money for something they either hadn't done, or that didn't merit any money. We sort of fought our way around the city, did what we needed, ate a horrible sandwich and got on our (pretty comfortable) train eventually. The journey was relatively pain-free for once. We shared an auto-rickshaw as far as Rishikesh, stayed the night there and then this morning, we wandered down (via lunch) through the town and over the bridge (a long, precarious, rickety footbridge with monkeys hanging off it and cows in the middle of it, over the River Ganges - Welcome to India)into Lakshmanjhula, the main backpacker area, where we found a lovely hostel with a hot shower and a stunning, stunning view of the River Ganges for about 3 pounds each a night. We are starting to meet a few people as we establish ourselves on the backpacker trail which is really nice, I have already read 3 out of the 6 books I brought with me, so some human company is probably a good idea. I am currently reading a history of Henry VIII's reign in the hope that it will encourage me to get out more.
We are having 3 or 4 nights here which will be wonderful. After so much travelling, it is good to stop in a heavenly place like this for a little while. Amusingly (and worryingly...), I have just seen the local firetruck struggling, unable to get up the narrow cobbled streets around the cows. Very encouraging.
Off to book a yoga course - so by my next post I will be chilled and at peace with my inner self, or something. And if not, I want my money back...
Miss you all heaps, lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <3
We had to change in Delhi which was a massive hot mission-y horrible experience. My grasp of the English language weakens in direct correlation with my feelings at that precise moment. It was sweltering, we were un-showered and still in our desert clothes, I hadn't washed my hair in five days (my fringe was going curly), we hadn't eaten or drunk anything in 24 hours and everyone kept telling us things that blatantly weren't true ("Oh, your train is nine and a half hours late" "No it isn't, leave me alone" etc.) and asking for money for something they either hadn't done, or that didn't merit any money. We sort of fought our way around the city, did what we needed, ate a horrible sandwich and got on our (pretty comfortable) train eventually. The journey was relatively pain-free for once. We shared an auto-rickshaw as far as Rishikesh, stayed the night there and then this morning, we wandered down (via lunch) through the town and over the bridge (a long, precarious, rickety footbridge with monkeys hanging off it and cows in the middle of it, over the River Ganges - Welcome to India)into Lakshmanjhula, the main backpacker area, where we found a lovely hostel with a hot shower and a stunning, stunning view of the River Ganges for about 3 pounds each a night. We are starting to meet a few people as we establish ourselves on the backpacker trail which is really nice, I have already read 3 out of the 6 books I brought with me, so some human company is probably a good idea. I am currently reading a history of Henry VIII's reign in the hope that it will encourage me to get out more.
We are having 3 or 4 nights here which will be wonderful. After so much travelling, it is good to stop in a heavenly place like this for a little while. Amusingly (and worryingly...), I have just seen the local firetruck struggling, unable to get up the narrow cobbled streets around the cows. Very encouraging.
Off to book a yoga course - so by my next post I will be chilled and at peace with my inner self, or something. And if not, I want my money back...
Miss you all heaps, lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <3
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Camels, Cricket and Carpets
It's only been a few days since I last updated but so much has happened, I literally don't know where to begin. I am just going to briefly summarise because otherwise I will be here all day and if I stay inside all day I will never get a tan. Although tanning is difficult here because of having to cover up all the time so as to not be disrespectful and all that. Charlotte and I saw an American girl in a cafe the other day in a tiny tank top and daisy duke shorts and cringed - if you're going to go somewhere, you have to dress the part. I'm not saying I'd wear a sari or anything - to be honest I wouldn't - but, like, covering your shoulders and at least to your knees is essential if you don't want to be hassled all day. And to be honest we are still hassled. All. Day. It does get exhausting.
Anyway, I'm already getting sidetracked. We moved from Rhanthamboure after an unfortunately unsuccessful tiger safari tiger-wise, in that there were no tigers. Bad times. We were sitting next to two British guys and we saw a lot of deer and pigeons that all the other tourists were desperate to get photos of, but we agreed they were pretty much like the deer and pigeons I see on my drive to work every morning, so I didn't waste my memory card. Trust me, pigeons are pigeons in India or England.
We went to Jaipur and spent about four and a half hours, if not more, essentially furnishing our future homes at a textiles workshop and factory where the salesman was called Lucky, and brought us a LOT of chai tea and made us dinner. We both bought full-size carpets, I also got a bedspread, a tablecloth (which was free to be fair) and a wall-hanging which are going to be shipped home to mum (thanks mum) as there is obviously no room for them in my bag. I am looking at them as investment pieces and trying not to cringe about how much money I've spent! Still, no more - that is it for my shopping trips. I'm not tempted by any of the tourist tat to be honest, it's just tacky.
The next day we did some sightseeing around Jaipur, we saw three palaces which, ask anyone, is a LOT of palaces to see in a day. Regal and palace-y as they were, I think we were a bit palace-d out.
Then came my favourite bit of our trip so far - we went to see a Bollywood movie. It was about persuading people to do things, and also cricket - two essentially Indian things. Picture this premise and try and digest it for a moment - the England cricket team have been doing so badly that they all have to be fired, replaced by a team of amateurs. (Bear with me) The star of the new team is "Khali", a 34-year old fast-bowler (we never see him bat, not even sure if he can) who hasn't played for 10 years and goes on to lead the team to unprecented success and a 20-20 win before retiring gracefully with the approval of his (previously extremely disapproving - due principally to his view that English people are really racist, or something) father. I've missed out so many good things in that summary, like the amazing song and dance routines, and the various 2-D "characters" that make up the rest of "Khali"'s family (the aspiring rapper, the aspiring fashion designer, the girl who wants to marry a white guy - all have the same facial expressions throughout). And the fact that the film has an Interval - awesome right? And "Khali" spends the entire first half of the film eavesdropping on people and wearing a wounded puppy expression. Anyway, Charlotte and I absolutely LOVED the film, even though it was in a different language we understood pretty much the whole thing, the dialogue was that basic.
We had a disastrous and traumatic night-train journey to Jaisalmer for many reasons. And then the camel safari people just kind of didn't turn up, but thanks to a helpful man in an orange shirt we managed to make contact and off we went into the desert. We rode camels and watched the sunset out in the sand dunes, and then we slept out under the stars which was totally incredible. Such an amazing experience. We rode out there in this freaky camel cart and for a long time I thought the camel was magically leading us off into the wilderness because I couldn't see the man leading him on my side of the cart. Which the German guys and girl travelling with us seemed to find very amusing. And then this morning we got up, drove in the jeep back into Jaisalmer (which viewed speed bumps as a challenge - see one, speed up etc.) and now here we are in an internet cafe, about to have lunch.
So that brings you all up to date I think! Tonight we are on a night train to Delhi, have the day in Delhi (hopefully to shower) and then another night train to Rishikesh. I have to say I'm not looking forward to the endless night trains, especially after my last experience, but there we are. Very excited to get to the yoga festival though!
Miss you all, lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <3
Anyway, I'm already getting sidetracked. We moved from Rhanthamboure after an unfortunately unsuccessful tiger safari tiger-wise, in that there were no tigers. Bad times. We were sitting next to two British guys and we saw a lot of deer and pigeons that all the other tourists were desperate to get photos of, but we agreed they were pretty much like the deer and pigeons I see on my drive to work every morning, so I didn't waste my memory card. Trust me, pigeons are pigeons in India or England.
We went to Jaipur and spent about four and a half hours, if not more, essentially furnishing our future homes at a textiles workshop and factory where the salesman was called Lucky, and brought us a LOT of chai tea and made us dinner. We both bought full-size carpets, I also got a bedspread, a tablecloth (which was free to be fair) and a wall-hanging which are going to be shipped home to mum (thanks mum) as there is obviously no room for them in my bag. I am looking at them as investment pieces and trying not to cringe about how much money I've spent! Still, no more - that is it for my shopping trips. I'm not tempted by any of the tourist tat to be honest, it's just tacky.
The next day we did some sightseeing around Jaipur, we saw three palaces which, ask anyone, is a LOT of palaces to see in a day. Regal and palace-y as they were, I think we were a bit palace-d out.
Then came my favourite bit of our trip so far - we went to see a Bollywood movie. It was about persuading people to do things, and also cricket - two essentially Indian things. Picture this premise and try and digest it for a moment - the England cricket team have been doing so badly that they all have to be fired, replaced by a team of amateurs. (Bear with me) The star of the new team is "Khali", a 34-year old fast-bowler (we never see him bat, not even sure if he can) who hasn't played for 10 years and goes on to lead the team to unprecented success and a 20-20 win before retiring gracefully with the approval of his (previously extremely disapproving - due principally to his view that English people are really racist, or something) father. I've missed out so many good things in that summary, like the amazing song and dance routines, and the various 2-D "characters" that make up the rest of "Khali"'s family (the aspiring rapper, the aspiring fashion designer, the girl who wants to marry a white guy - all have the same facial expressions throughout). And the fact that the film has an Interval - awesome right? And "Khali" spends the entire first half of the film eavesdropping on people and wearing a wounded puppy expression. Anyway, Charlotte and I absolutely LOVED the film, even though it was in a different language we understood pretty much the whole thing, the dialogue was that basic.
We had a disastrous and traumatic night-train journey to Jaisalmer for many reasons. And then the camel safari people just kind of didn't turn up, but thanks to a helpful man in an orange shirt we managed to make contact and off we went into the desert. We rode camels and watched the sunset out in the sand dunes, and then we slept out under the stars which was totally incredible. Such an amazing experience. We rode out there in this freaky camel cart and for a long time I thought the camel was magically leading us off into the wilderness because I couldn't see the man leading him on my side of the cart. Which the German guys and girl travelling with us seemed to find very amusing. And then this morning we got up, drove in the jeep back into Jaisalmer (which viewed speed bumps as a challenge - see one, speed up etc.) and now here we are in an internet cafe, about to have lunch.
So that brings you all up to date I think! Tonight we are on a night train to Delhi, have the day in Delhi (hopefully to shower) and then another night train to Rishikesh. I have to say I'm not looking forward to the endless night trains, especially after my last experience, but there we are. Very excited to get to the yoga festival though!
Miss you all, lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <3
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