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