I Love / Hate India
Hello friends,
Good news, Logan's illness was short-lived and the next day he bounced back to his happy, adventurous usual self!! We shopped alot around Jaipur (probably the first time we've actually enjoyed shopping together) and bought some more garb and gifts.
***Sorry about the comments not working, I must have messed something up by accident...you have no idea how depressed I was when I saw no one commented!! :( ***
Anyway, after Jaipur we went to Fatepure Sikri, further East and visited a mosque. Most beautiful mosque I have seen so far. It was strange, however, because they buried their ancestors in it and we were walking right over top their graves!
Afterwards we headed to Agra,a big, nasty city. Possibly the worst place ever. But I shouldn't say that because it was really just our experience that made it so crappy. First off, I felt soooooo sick in the car. But, as some of you know me, I'm good at suppresing that sort of thing. As soon as we got into Agra (town of the Taj Mahal) we tried to ship all our gifts home at the "government post office" and it was a disaster. The government sucks...Logan and I ended up commiting a federal crime right in the post office..haha, but that's another story I'll save for later.
So then, after much stress and me still feeling sick, we went to our fancy-pantsy hotel (all our hotel are Rs.2000+/night...but we didn't know it was going to be like that) and chilled. Then, for sunset, we went to the Taj. Nice place indeed. But unfortunately, sold to the dollar. Cost us Rs.1500 to get in. That's our budget for like 3 days. And we got ourselves a "government" guide and he wouldn't shut up.
Our trip to the Taj consisted of trying to ditch the guide and take silly photos as he kept saying "here, take photo of this", "take photo of her, there". The Indians must think all we want to do is take photos and that we need to be told what to take pictures of. Grrr.
After the Taj...hum...our driver insisted on taking us to another shop where the pieces were minimum Rs.20 000. As if. It was beautiful art similar to the art of on taj (all inlays of precious stones from around the world) but we weren't interested in the slightest. So we had fun being over-the-top interested (it became a game I tell ya) and soon we were gone. That night was stomach was acting up so Logan and I skipped dinner...it was the last night with Kumar and we knew it wasn't going to be an easy good-bye.
He had told Logan that a 10% tip is tradition. UGH. That's Rs.6000. We couldn't afford it. We gave him 1000 and there was some tears and anger and my god, tough times. I'd rather forget. We'll miss you Kumar but we're glad to be on our own again. That night, I was fairly sick (only threw up once though)...Logan rubbed essential oils on me all night until I fell asleep. I don't know what I would have done without him, probably died!
Next day, bright and early (that's 730 to me!) we headed to the train station and made way to Jnansi; a city south-east of Agra. It was a lovely 2hr30min ride with complementary tea, biscuits and water! Woo hoo!
Off the train we needed to get to Khajuraho, a small town 4 hours away. We couldn't take a bus because we had too many things (all the stuff we were supposed to ship in Agra) so we hooked up with a 50-something year-old lady from Israel travelling by herself (so cool!!) and shared a very crowded taxi. "Eveline" had already been to the North where we're heading and told us many great things. We shared an awesome lunch and she convinced me to try yogurt, which is soooo good. After much convo and sharing, we got to Khajuraho. I love meetings where it seems like it was destined you know?
So here we are in Khajuraho, a small town with 22 temples. Most of which have extremely erotic carvings of any sex act you can imagine. They are all about the tantra and kama sutra here. We will be visitng those tonight, when it's not so hot.
Yesterday (we arrived in this place on the 27 in the evening) we hung out with some boys and they took us to a beautiful river. We spend most the day just sitting, talking, swimming (not me though) and reading. (Logan and I picked up some books by Osho...crazy stuff...he's so controversial!) Then our Indians friend made us a home-cooked, wood-fire meal served on huge leaves from the jungle. A bit sktechy in terms of cleanliness and health but hey...we decided to just go for it. So tasty and we still feel fine today!!
I don't really feel like writting much, I'm sorry. My hormones have been acting up and I feel like a bit of a wreck. I've been a bit anti-social and irritable lately, I feel bad for Logan having to deal with it. I really need to harness my ridiculous feelings and emotions so it stops hindering my experiences. I do feel better today however...being female is so hard sometimes..:S
I've realized that, just like anything else, sometimes you love it, sometimes you hate it. India is definetely one of those things.
Well, tomorrow, we're busing back to Jnansi and the taking a train to...dum dum dum...Varanasi, one of the highlights of our trip. We'll be there for awhile. This is the city of Death (many people go to die) but also of life (as the River Ganges passes through).
Arh, one hour is up! Hope you're all doing well and keep the comments coming!!
Love you all.
Namaste
Good news, Logan's illness was short-lived and the next day he bounced back to his happy, adventurous usual self!! We shopped alot around Jaipur (probably the first time we've actually enjoyed shopping together) and bought some more garb and gifts.
***Sorry about the comments not working, I must have messed something up by accident...you have no idea how depressed I was when I saw no one commented!! :( ***
Anyway, after Jaipur we went to Fatepure Sikri, further East and visited a mosque. Most beautiful mosque I have seen so far. It was strange, however, because they buried their ancestors in it and we were walking right over top their graves!
Afterwards we headed to Agra,a big, nasty city. Possibly the worst place ever. But I shouldn't say that because it was really just our experience that made it so crappy. First off, I felt soooooo sick in the car. But, as some of you know me, I'm good at suppresing that sort of thing. As soon as we got into Agra (town of the Taj Mahal) we tried to ship all our gifts home at the "government post office" and it was a disaster. The government sucks...Logan and I ended up commiting a federal crime right in the post office..haha, but that's another story I'll save for later.
So then, after much stress and me still feeling sick, we went to our fancy-pantsy hotel (all our hotel are Rs.2000+/night...but we didn't know it was going to be like that) and chilled. Then, for sunset, we went to the Taj. Nice place indeed. But unfortunately, sold to the dollar. Cost us Rs.1500 to get in. That's our budget for like 3 days. And we got ourselves a "government" guide and he wouldn't shut up.
Our trip to the Taj consisted of trying to ditch the guide and take silly photos as he kept saying "here, take photo of this", "take photo of her, there". The Indians must think all we want to do is take photos and that we need to be told what to take pictures of. Grrr.
After the Taj...hum...our driver insisted on taking us to another shop where the pieces were minimum Rs.20 000. As if. It was beautiful art similar to the art of on taj (all inlays of precious stones from around the world) but we weren't interested in the slightest. So we had fun being over-the-top interested (it became a game I tell ya) and soon we were gone. That night was stomach was acting up so Logan and I skipped dinner...it was the last night with Kumar and we knew it wasn't going to be an easy good-bye.
He had told Logan that a 10% tip is tradition. UGH. That's Rs.6000. We couldn't afford it. We gave him 1000 and there was some tears and anger and my god, tough times. I'd rather forget. We'll miss you Kumar but we're glad to be on our own again. That night, I was fairly sick (only threw up once though)...Logan rubbed essential oils on me all night until I fell asleep. I don't know what I would have done without him, probably died!
Next day, bright and early (that's 730 to me!) we headed to the train station and made way to Jnansi; a city south-east of Agra. It was a lovely 2hr30min ride with complementary tea, biscuits and water! Woo hoo!
Off the train we needed to get to Khajuraho, a small town 4 hours away. We couldn't take a bus because we had too many things (all the stuff we were supposed to ship in Agra) so we hooked up with a 50-something year-old lady from Israel travelling by herself (so cool!!) and shared a very crowded taxi. "Eveline" had already been to the North where we're heading and told us many great things. We shared an awesome lunch and she convinced me to try yogurt, which is soooo good. After much convo and sharing, we got to Khajuraho. I love meetings where it seems like it was destined you know?
So here we are in Khajuraho, a small town with 22 temples. Most of which have extremely erotic carvings of any sex act you can imagine. They are all about the tantra and kama sutra here. We will be visitng those tonight, when it's not so hot.
Yesterday (we arrived in this place on the 27 in the evening) we hung out with some boys and they took us to a beautiful river. We spend most the day just sitting, talking, swimming (not me though) and reading. (Logan and I picked up some books by Osho...crazy stuff...he's so controversial!) Then our Indians friend made us a home-cooked, wood-fire meal served on huge leaves from the jungle. A bit sktechy in terms of cleanliness and health but hey...we decided to just go for it. So tasty and we still feel fine today!!
I don't really feel like writting much, I'm sorry. My hormones have been acting up and I feel like a bit of a wreck. I've been a bit anti-social and irritable lately, I feel bad for Logan having to deal with it. I really need to harness my ridiculous feelings and emotions so it stops hindering my experiences. I do feel better today however...being female is so hard sometimes..:S
I've realized that, just like anything else, sometimes you love it, sometimes you hate it. India is definetely one of those things.
Well, tomorrow, we're busing back to Jnansi and the taking a train to...dum dum dum...Varanasi, one of the highlights of our trip. We'll be there for awhile. This is the city of Death (many people go to die) but also of life (as the River Ganges passes through).
Arh, one hour is up! Hope you're all doing well and keep the comments coming!!
Love you all.
Namaste
I feel your pain sista...it isn't always easy being part of womankind! Then again, it gave us female intuition so I guess it's one of those double-edge sword things ;)
Don't worry about missing that phonecall a few nights ago...we hadn't heard from you and figured you hadn't read your e-mail yet so we postponed it. We're thinking this Sunday night (Monday morning for you?) but unless we hear from you first, we'll postpone again and try to get organized a pick a date further in advance!
Sorry to hear about the mail mishap and the kerfuffle with Kumar. But I know you two meant well, and hopefully he realizes that too.
So your body was rebelling a bit? It must make it that much worse when you're in a strange land without the usual "stay-home-sick" comforts....couch, popsicles, bad TV shows, and family. Logan is my hero for taking such good care of you!
I completely sympathize with your frustration re: how they treat "tourists" out there. Peru was the same, and I expect Thailand to be worse. I can't stand how a few ignorant stupid tourists have partially ruined the experience for the rest of us. Trying to experience Macchu Pichu's energy was nearly impossible with the constant guide-chatter and inane tourists taking pictures of everything without really appreciating anything. ARGH!
Anyways, not much new here...doing lots of rock-climbing (I think I'm an obsessive personality type!) and went out with Josh again... for a tear around the city on his motorbike. Crazy adrenaline rush! Ma & Pa, if you read this...we were safe!! Helmets and all!
Ok, enough of this...I probably chew up more of your internet time than you do when you write your blog! Let me know if you prefer that I write my drivel to your e-mail account instead! Heehee
Ok gotta run.
I will meditate this weekend and send you love and compassion from the cosmos. Be open and you will receive.
Da
Posted by
Anonymous |
1:41 PM
Hey Doe,
Great to hear more of your adventures. Be sure to get lots of sleep to get/stay in good health!
It sounds like common people in India are doing everything they can to make a few bucks. Unfortunate that massive overpopulation will do that ...
Take care!
Marc
Posted by
Anonymous |
1:50 PM
Glad to hear from you Do, will also visit Logan's site this morning. It is to be expected that once the awe and excitement of being in a new place (anyplace) wears of, you are bound to see and feel the less desirble aspects of India. One of my coworkers said something about Indian people being cunning... I'm glad Logan is feeling better and able to support you in your less well days. Dig deep for energy and you'll find it. Martine went to a school dance and had a fun time with a young man (Antoine B.)she invited from another French school. I enjoy reading about your adventures, keep it coming. Going to Community this afternoon. Will think of you and the many influences you have had on all of us. . Stay healthy Love Ya Monique
Posted by
Anonymous |
8:37 AM
NAMASTE DOE!
Nice to hear Logan got better, and I hope you do too soon. KEEP DRINKING THE GOOD WATER.
Sorry about the phone call when you called at 11:00pm and I was just falling asleep, I should use "WHAT DO YOU WANT?" as a phone greeting.
You and Logan seem to be doing great in India, except for the little ills and having to pay too much for everything. Keep taking care of yourselves!
I've just realized I haven't made a good comment in a while either, sorry about that too. Grade 9 is trying to get its way with me, so I've got lots of work. Every teacher seems to think their class is the most important. Like this weekend, yesterday night the school had a dance, not the best one, but it was alright! Today I have to do 2 piano lessons, because I missed one yesterday, booo. And then I have to go to a friend's house to work on a project, and later that evening I'm going to Chelsea's b-day. And the next day I have to go do MORE work at the friends house. HECTIC I SAY!
Anyhow I should stop this now, since my boiled eggs are ready and I've got to get started on my day.
wishing you peace in the middle east,
-Martine
Posted by
Anonymous |
9:28 AM
When I leave a comment I always think about what time it is in India, right about now you two should be sound asleep or just about. When I go to bed at night it's so neat to think about you two just beginning another adventurous day.
So I bet Varanasi is surreal? Don't think that's a place I'd want to venture into! I hope your feeling better Doe as I would think the emotions would be intensified if you're not up to par.
That's to bad about Kumar. With your time together he learned what big hearts you two have and figured if he carried on enough you two would give in.
Look forward to reading more.
All the best to you Doe!!
Posted by
Anonymous |
11:22 AM
i just read your whole blog today and WOW. thankyou for taking the time to write. =)
can't think of much more to write at the moment, but be sure, i'll be back <3
Vanessa <3
Posted by
Anonymous |
3:28 PM