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Alright there...!
Firstly we need to show some love & respect for the all comments and messages, you have no idea how much we look forward to reading them and hearing what is going on at home, we would like to reply to you all each time but the computers are so slow that it takes us hours to do each blog.!! KEEP THEM COMING!!!
Nic - Sanchi is a tiny village, almost in the middle of no-where next to a hill which is home to Indias oldest Buddhist structures. We braved the dry heat (Similar to, but possibly hotter than, your standard tumble dryer!) and climbed the steps to the pleasantly breezy hill-top. The 'Stupas' are circular stone domes that were built around 262BC to house religious bits and pieces, with 4 carved gateways. Naivly we expected to be able to go inside and view all the ancient artifacts, but in actual fact, these things are a bit like the pyramids of Egypt and there just there to walk around the outside of! Still, they were interesting to look at and it was a nice place to relax for a few hours!
While taking in the beauty
of the area and absorbing the culture, as usual we were approached by random young Indians, wanting their photo taken with us and asking our name and "What is your country?" (we're like movie stars over here - either that or a circus act - as not many Indians have actually met or seen a white "Gorra" in the wild before!) After about the five or sixth approach of that day - actually no, make that hour! - Dan was deep in thought and absorbing it all, and so as the corageous young fellow approached with a 'hello...!" dan turned around with his finger to his lips and proclaimed "Ssshhh.....you're ruining my focus!!!!!!!!!!!" still makes me chuckle to think of it!!
Dan - in my defence I didnt mean to be rude but some things here are so spectacular etc that you can become lost in it all so when your imagining how it was built or why it was built or what they were on when they were built (you get the idea) so to be disturbed is like being awoken from a good dream.!!
The train ticket we got for the train out of this area
was what was called a "waitlisted ticket" means the train was full so no seats!! a problem we thought, but no wait this is India the king of 'BAKSHEESH' THE BRIBE !!! So out came my wedge over to the inspector " Excuse me sir any chance of a seat? " NO he replied... so I do the rubbing finger thing (international sign for money) and as if like magic "Yes ok there are 2 bunks this way!!!" BOSH job done !!
Nic - So, we're now in Ahmedabad in Gujurat, a short stop-over on the way to Rajasthan (the jewel of India) Which we are really excited about.
This city isn't really much to write home about, a few nice mosques and run-down buildings...ooh and the best thing is the Thali.....a unique way that they eat over here....let me explain;
Thali is an all-you-can-eat meal, served on a metal tray with several seperate dishes. After you take your seat a procession of thali-wallahs (waiters) come round with various different dishes. Our lunch today consisted of: Chapati (flat bread), Puri (puffed up rounds of fried dough), Poppadoms, rice, samosa, Sambar (watery veg soup), Dahl (spiced lentil dish), paneer
korma (small blocks of cheese), bindi masala (ladies finger veg curry), Alloo curry (potato), lime pickle (thought of you Karen, nice and spicy!), chutney and chill sauce, and sweet mango relish, along with a cup of buttermilk to wash it all down....It really was a feast, and just as you thought you'd finished, around they came again to fill your dishes up!!!
Dan - See she never mentioned the sweet coconut pudding which she had 3 portions of!!!!!!!
Went to Mahatma Gandhi's old Gaff today saw his little glasses and his worn old sandles oh and a few pic of him, its like a museum thing.
Nic - We're spending the rest of the day chilling and waiting for our train (which we have managed to get bunks on!!) which leaves at 11.15pm. So next time you'll hear from us we'll hopefully be somewhere a lot more colourful and we should have been to visit the "Palace on the lake" which features in the Bond movie, "Octopussy"!!
Missing you all loads,
love from us!!
xxxxx
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Mum Walton
non-member comment
Thali Nice Food!!!
Hi Gorras, although with all that sun you must be a shade darker by now?? What a way to eat, fantastic, just my sort of food! Are you still eating with you hands, or did you sneak a spoon in your backpacks?? Hope you are going to learn how to cook all those wonderful dishes!! We are all enjoying the blogs and wonderful pics, so keep them coming. Lots of love and missing you loads as well. xxxxx