FYI
I have attachment issues. I hadn't recovered from missing Belle and Ellen, then I meet Suzan and Csilla for 3 days - loved their company which included an amazing 2 hour dawn boat trip on the Ganges - and now missing all 4 of them!!! I am becoming a co-dependent, independent soft-core non back packer... traveller UGHGG.
Am profoundly aware of 10 days hard travel adventures not logged into blog... like for example:
* Camel Infatuation
Met Raja (The King...) with head held elegantly 15 feet above me, I tentatively (but very bravely) hold out my insignificant hand. He gently lowers his 3.5' long head wayyyy down to my level, and softly puts his massive muzzle on my hand. Raja is in no hurry to end our brief encounter and I believe we should have a long term relationship! Forget trains, I want a CAMEL but not just any camel... only Raja has my heart. I learn camels are very intelligent, at the same level as elephants and dogs. Raja is 9 years old but looks much younger due a posh lifestyle as a pampered 5 Star Tour Camel (ok my words), was bought at 3 years old and broken (like a horse) over a 4 month period. This training started with hooking him up to a cart full of boulders, then 6 men hanging onto the reins for dear life while he took them for a wild ride.....now he is a huge pussy cat!
* Taj Mahal
Achieved a new status in my own eyes and I privately think of myself in a new light: 'she who has seen one of the 7 Wonders of The World;' The Taj exceeded my expectations.
* INDIAN TRAINS
I've logged approximately 2500 kms on overnight trains, from Sleeper to Air Con 2 class! Got to the point on my last trip from Jaipur to Dehli, I boarded at 2 am, threw my sleeping bag and pillow on the 'bed', tucked my wallet inside my pillow, pack under the seat, earplugs in and was asleep before the train left the station. At 7:45 am my berth mates, an elderly Indian couple, gently tapped my shoulder speaking in Hindi. I thought I was snoring so kindly, but resentfully smiled at them, and rolled over. I tightly closed my eyes, wishing them to go away or hush, then heard whispering (one of my earplugs had popped out!) then they said 'Madam, Madam Dehli, Dehli..... JEEZE!!!! Bless their hearts I could have ended up back in Calcutta if left to my own devices...
TRAIN PORTER STORY
Note to Self: 24 hour time schedules must be read carefully. I am not to be trusted, so also ask for confirmation of my time interpretation.
Barely made the Varnansie train to Jaipur, arrived 10 minutes before departure lugging a 40 lb wheely beast behind me and with a glance at 2 flights of steep stairs, packed with people, made an independent, executive decision deciding not to count on the kindness of strangers to help me.. and TOOK ON THE PORTER system!!! If only I could have grabbed a snapshot of 'my Porter' (he got away with charging me 2x the going rate, which is a bargain considering I was about to miss my train, and for that amount of money he was MY Porter). Now picture this: he's at least 6 foot, weighing in at 150 lbs, dressed in bright red from head to ankle. On his head: a thickly wrapped red towel (matches the shirt and pants) adding another 8 - 10 inches and perfectly balanced on that is REI Wheely Beast, gliding gracefully through an ocean of Indian bodies, around food vendors, lost tourists and up and down stairs with me riding the wake behind him! for $4 I was efficiently delivered to the right platform, right train, correct car and my very own berth. He was worth every rupiah!
* Jaipur
Managed a speed of light tour from 8 am to 7 pm... of course saw all the biggie highlights and have photos to prove it. More importantly stayed in the best hotel in India ... Jaipur is really just another hellish huge Indian City but Sundar Palace makes the whole experience worth it. Two brothers own and manage it, and doing an amazing job. Beautiful, clean room with lots of hot water, towels and TP and blankets without having to beg for them, a separate area for mediation/prayer with cushions and small table, soft lights. Roof top restaurant with yummy food under the stars. All for CND $12/night!
*Dehli
Ahh, the best laid plans! My itinerary allowed only one full sightseeing day in Dehli (had another train to catch of course) and I find out this is a Strike Day meaning all taxi and tuk tuk drivers are at a complete work stoppage. The Canadian Tourist is also at a full touring stoppage. Forced into having a slow paced day I bravely (and gleefully) accept my fate.. . what else am I to do? Life is learning acceptance afterall. I wandered the neighbourhood and when I purchased bangles knew I'd been in India just a tad too long!
Okay the power is about to go our (again) so must post this! Nepal is a whole new story and can't wait to share ... if you're listening (or not I guess since I have no clue who is actually following the blog - other than the faithfuls but even you could fool me!
May you be Well
May you be Happy
May you be free of Suffering
I have attachment issues. I hadn't recovered from missing Belle and Ellen, then I meet Suzan and Csilla for 3 days - loved their company which included an amazing 2 hour dawn boat trip on the Ganges - and now missing all 4 of them!!! I am becoming a co-dependent, independent soft-core non back packer... traveller UGHGG.
Am profoundly aware of 10 days hard travel adventures not logged into blog... like for example:
* Camel Infatuation
Met Raja (The King...) with head held elegantly 15 feet above me, I tentatively (but very bravely) hold out my insignificant hand. He gently lowers his 3.5' long head wayyyy down to my level, and softly puts his massive muzzle on my hand. Raja is in no hurry to end our brief encounter and I believe we should have a long term relationship! Forget trains, I want a CAMEL but not just any camel... only Raja has my heart. I learn camels are very intelligent, at the same level as elephants and dogs. Raja is 9 years old but looks much younger due a posh lifestyle as a pampered 5 Star Tour Camel (ok my words), was bought at 3 years old and broken (like a horse) over a 4 month period. This training started with hooking him up to a cart full of boulders, then 6 men hanging onto the reins for dear life while he took them for a wild ride.....now he is a huge pussy cat!
* Taj Mahal
Achieved a new status in my own eyes and I privately think of myself in a new light: 'she who has seen one of the 7 Wonders of The World;' The Taj exceeded my expectations.
* INDIAN TRAINS
I've logged approximately 2500 kms on overnight trains, from Sleeper to Air Con 2 class! Got to the point on my last trip from Jaipur to Dehli, I boarded at 2 am, threw my sleeping bag and pillow on the 'bed', tucked my wallet inside my pillow, pack under the seat, earplugs in and was asleep before the train left the station. At 7:45 am my berth mates, an elderly Indian couple, gently tapped my shoulder speaking in Hindi. I thought I was snoring so kindly, but resentfully smiled at them, and rolled over. I tightly closed my eyes, wishing them to go away or hush, then heard whispering (one of my earplugs had popped out!) then they said 'Madam, Madam Dehli, Dehli..... JEEZE!!!! Bless their hearts I could have ended up back in Calcutta if left to my own devices...
TRAIN PORTER STORY
Note to Self: 24 hour time schedules must be read carefully. I am not to be trusted, so also ask for confirmation of my time interpretation.
Barely made the Varnansie train to Jaipur, arrived 10 minutes before departure lugging a 40 lb wheely beast behind me and with a glance at 2 flights of steep stairs, packed with people, made an independent, executive decision deciding not to count on the kindness of strangers to help me.. and TOOK ON THE PORTER system!!! If only I could have grabbed a snapshot of 'my Porter' (he got away with charging me 2x the going rate, which is a bargain considering I was about to miss my train, and for that amount of money he was MY Porter). Now picture this: he's at least 6 foot, weighing in at 150 lbs, dressed in bright red from head to ankle. On his head: a thickly wrapped red towel (matches the shirt and pants) adding another 8 - 10 inches and perfectly balanced on that is REI Wheely Beast, gliding gracefully through an ocean of Indian bodies, around food vendors, lost tourists and up and down stairs with me riding the wake behind him! for $4 I was efficiently delivered to the right platform, right train, correct car and my very own berth. He was worth every rupiah!
* Jaipur
Managed a speed of light tour from 8 am to 7 pm... of course saw all the biggie highlights and have photos to prove it. More importantly stayed in the best hotel in India ... Jaipur is really just another hellish huge Indian City but Sundar Palace makes the whole experience worth it. Two brothers own and manage it, and doing an amazing job. Beautiful, clean room with lots of hot water, towels and TP and blankets without having to beg for them, a separate area for mediation/prayer with cushions and small table, soft lights. Roof top restaurant with yummy food under the stars. All for CND $12/night!
*Dehli
Ahh, the best laid plans! My itinerary allowed only one full sightseeing day in Dehli (had another train to catch of course) and I find out this is a Strike Day meaning all taxi and tuk tuk drivers are at a complete work stoppage. The Canadian Tourist is also at a full touring stoppage. Forced into having a slow paced day I bravely (and gleefully) accept my fate.. . what else am I to do? Life is learning acceptance afterall. I wandered the neighbourhood and when I purchased bangles knew I'd been in India just a tad too long!
Okay the power is about to go our (again) so must post this! Nepal is a whole new story and can't wait to share ... if you're listening (or not I guess since I have no clue who is actually following the blog - other than the faithfuls but even you could fool me!
May you be Well
May you be Happy
May you be free of Suffering
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