Nevadagirlamber

Seriously, every bus ride I've taken in a developing country is like this: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wuypE6ISPag I'm typically flopping around, while simultaneously folding myself up origami style, while the local next to me is serene and still. We woke up early to catch a local bus from Allahabad to Varanasi. With no a/c and apparently no shocks, it actually wasn't a bad trip. The country side is really a sight to see, with most of those in rural India living in extreme poverty. It is really hard to wrap your mind around; the brick kiln towers, agricultural land, dirt floor houses with satellite dishes, just so much. While travelling you tend to waver between complete culture shock and acceptance, often within the same day, the same hour. India seeps into your bones and just when you think you've ... read more

We've arrived in Allahabad, a site typically overlooked by tourists, but which should have some interesting sites once we get a little rest and the heat cools a little. We took another night train and this one had its own misadventures, well for Elisa anyways,poor thing. I slept through the night, unaware of some weirdo passenger, pacing the halls and sitting on her. I think the trip was redeemed though when I squeezed her into a tiny rickshaw for the ride to our hotel, good times. I started to wonder about this town as we started to get closer and I looked out the window and every so often you just see some random dude taking a dump right along the track. it's just weird and random, and I swear this is the only phrase you ... read more

Having a down day to recover from a bit of Delhi belly. I've been somewhat fortunate, escaping any sort of troubles so far. We think it is because the malaria medication I take is also an antibiotic, while E's is only for malaria. Anyway, it always good to have day to relax. To read books, to write and to reflect on all that we've seen and experienced so far. Next up, the temple of love over in the eastern part of the country, will update in a couple of days.... read more

You can add snake charming to a resume right? Cause I've got this stuff down people! The cobra was quite nice and let me pet him. No worries though, no venom.....I think.... read more

Today we have arrived in Jaipur, the pink city. Our drive was relatively long and provided us with a very intimate look at the lives of locals. Driving here is like taking your life in your hands, at first, then you sort of adopt a fatalism/trust in the clusterfuck of a tornado you see on the roads. It's madness, but it works as our driver informed us you must have four things to drive in India; 1. Good horn, 2. Good brakes 3. Good luck and 4. Good patience. The tea here is prepared fantastically with mail and cardamom and a pinch of heaven. I'm afraid I'm ruined forever, I will have to figure out how to make it so perfectly when I get home. We stopped at a roadside stand and had tea made with ... read more