who knew india had wild rhinos

After my trip to the mountains i headed right for the digusting heat and humidity of the jungle. i learned from a dutch couple in yuksom that you did not need to go to the northeast states (they are dangerous and lawless) to see rhinos that there was a small little visited reserve in northern west bengal that is not often visited. i had a nice train ride there. some young indian ladies started flirting with me. it was really funny. they wanted to take me home to meet there family but i was on a mission to see rhinos and i thought that would be a little wierd (and i am sure my girlfriend would love that). I didnt want to be chased by a mob in the teafields of bengal. i did have an interesting talk with these girls uncle who works for an NGO and does aids awareness with young people in bengal. because there is little development around madariahat the town where the park is in it was a nice ease back into real india". the only problem was that it is run by the bengal government and charges a shitload for crappy accomadations. my dorm room was 350 ruppes a night which is 4 times what i am paying now. i also had a hassle when i arrived. they were telling me the elephant safaris into the jungle were all booked up the net day and the day after the governement was starting its weeklong elephant census. i told the guy that i have been in india long enough to know there is always a way to get on, whether i have to pay more or squeeze on. he assured me that this was not allowed so i decided i would wake up early and try. i joined a group of indians on a jeep safari instead. it was pretty nice. we saw some wild peacocks, indian ringnecked parrots, a civet, kingfishers, and on our way back a lazy rhino eating shoots and hanging out in the shade. because they are dangerous they would not let me off to get a good picture. i was dissapointed that i did not get to see one up close so i had the jeep drop me off and saw if i could get on an elephant. low and behold i could . the elephant ride was intresting. i dont like how they treat the elephants but before i got on i was able to play with a baby who tried to eat my water bottle cap and was wrapping his trun around my arm. they are so cute and playfull. you can see how smart and inquisitive they really are. Anyways i got to see my rhino up close and it was amazing. it is such an impressive and beautiful animal. im not that much into writing right now because i spent 2 hours in the intense heat uploading photos.

one good story. on the second jeep safari i did we got stuck in the mud. it was funny (or not so funny) trying to help the indian driver get us unstuck. he was scarred to give it gas because he didnt want to waste gas and hurt the engine. he could also not rock the jeep well. our genius guide had the idea of pushing the jeep back into the deeper mud. Finally the driver listened to me and wwe all jumed out and rocked the jeep out. i told them i have had to do this in the snow many times. Right now i am in varanasi. its a pretty intersting place. i will write mroe about it after. next i go to agra fro a day to see the taj and then head straight out to the sikh holy city of amritsar.

---

---