elysse - elysse cheadle | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe | 2 Comment(s) | 0 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s) | [diary=255043] | 2008-03-11 11:41:54
 elysse | elysse cheadle | Travel Blog |
elysse - elysse cheadle
I am a twenty year old girl living in Canada. In a few short weeks, I will be jumping straight into what is to likely be the most terrifying, wonderful, life-changing, exciting, and (again) TERRIFYING journey of my life so far; I will be flying to India, to spend three and a half months living out of a backpack.Here in Canada, I am a student - studying theater, and hoping to make some sort of impact in the world, eventually. I am active, love to eat, love to laugh, and love to learn about everything and anything.
I am a vegetarian, I am a bit of a geek, I prefer staying in, my favorite movie is Magnolia, my favorite food is falafel, my favorite color is green, my favorite smell is baking bread, and I am constantly re-defining my self-image.
Here's my story.
Joined on: December 27th 2007
Last Login: August 26th 2008
Blog Entries: 14
Photos: 1
Last Login: August 26th 2008
Blog Entries: 14
Photos: 1
Status: BLOGGER
Blogs & Travel Journals
by elysse, order by Date newest first.
I must apologize in advance for this post because: 1) I feel far too lazy to put any effort into its coherance, and 2) It is so freaking hot here that I fear sitting here for more than 15 minutes will result in death by drowning in my own sweat. But here I go anyways: We left Goa a few days ago via a train to Mangalore, and another to Kochi. We thought ourselves to be very smart on this journey, and booked ourselves a stop over in Mangalore so that we could eat, get a little bit of real sleep [View Full Entry]
Fun story: Remember that brutal bus/train journey to Goa I was dreading last entry? It was even MORE fun than expected! Our first bus from Udaipur to Mumbai was scheduled to take us from 3pm Wednesday to 7am Thursday. At this point, Kaela and I were going to meet up with our friend Astrid, spend some time in Mumbai - stretch our legs, have something to eat, then catch the train from Mumbai to our destination in Goa at 2pm Thursday, and arrive at midnight. Simple. Right? ...right?? Apparently not so. Problem number one: I run out of Gravol (the only [View Full Entry]
elysse - elysse cheadle | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe | 2 Comment(s) | 0 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s) | [diary=251830] | 2008-03-02 09:54:13
I love Udaipur. I just want to throw that out there before even beginning. Udaipur, for anybody who does not know, is often described as the most romantic city in India...and so far, I would agree. Kaela and I arrived here three nights ago via a very long, hot, and crowded bus ride (yay india!). We had booked our hostel online, and had simply picked the cheapest we could find, being wary of the fact that there were no reviews of the place. However, we arrived to find out that we won the jackpot. Hotel Kumbha Palace is absolutely beautiful! It [View Full Entry]
elysse - elysse cheadle | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe | 0 Comment(s) | 0 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s) | [diary=250275] | 2008-02-26 12:44:12
I have only five minutes. This weekend was amazing. Kaela and I spent it at the Om Shanti retreat center in Gurgaon. We had expected to arrive at a small appartment or house, and stay in a dorm accomadation, and take some general classes. We pulled up at the center, the gates opened in front of us and revealed a 30 acre resort that was straight from a dream. It was as if we had arrived in a utopia after the world had collapsed - that we were in the surviving island which was made up of only the most peaceful, [View Full Entry]
elysse - elysse cheadle | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe | 0 Comment(s) | 0 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s) | [diary=247780] | 2008-02-19 04:43:39
Man, access to internet has been difficult lately! I can't believe how much I have to update, so I will try to stick with the most important details. Kaela and I have now moved projects. We left the orphanage last week to volunteer i a position labeled as "ambulance". However, this title is quite misguiding, as in reality we are working for a program called "Helpage" which is a mobile clinic that distributes medicines to the elderly in rural India. Saying goodbye to the girls at the orphanage was an emotional experience, but I will admit I was relieved to go. [View Full Entry]
elysse - elysse cheadle | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe | 0 Comment(s) | 0 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s) | [diary=245879] | 2008-02-13 12:31:22
By elysse
February 2nd 2008
February 2nd 2008
A Night of "Luxury"
Asia » India » National Capital Territory » New Delhi
After a week of sleeping on plywood, and being drained of all our energy, Kaela and I decided to splurge and spend the weekend in downtown Delhi. We decided to rent a room in a mid-range hotel ($30 each) and pamper our selves. We booked the hotel from the orphanage, and took a taxi friday night. We had planned to swim in their indoor pool, order in food and maybe even get some wine. Ha! Our luxerious abode was situated in what we later learned was actually one of the most dangerous, and drug-ridden parts of the city. We arived as [View Full Entry]
elysse - elysse cheadle | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe | 0 Comment(s) | 0 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s) | [diary=242069] | 2008-02-02 12:29:56
By elysse
February 1st 2008
February 1st 2008
Faridibad...but getting better
Asia » India » National Capital Territory » New Delhi
I must be careful about what I write here, as I found found my reactive personality has caused quite the hurricane around me, and seeing my reaction reflected in others has made me realize that this is a personality trait I must work on. Faridibad is...guh, well it hasn't been great. My first impression upon driving into the city was the FILTH. EVERYWHERE. The place looks like a landfill. I wish I could have taken my camera out fast enough to snap a roadsign which read, "Keep Faridibad clean", while being surrounded by garbage. Along the streets, people live in homes [View Full Entry]
elysse - elysse cheadle | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe | 0 Comment(s) | 0 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s) | [diary=241831] | 2008-02-01 16:30:30
Today is our last full day here in Delhi in the cultural immersion and Hindi program. I am happy to report that it was well worth the money to learn a bit about the culture and the language. Tomorrow, we leave for Faridibad where we will be volunteering at the orphanage. (P.S. Mom and Dad - we are no longer at the Prayas girl orphanage, they have transferred us to another, I will let you know the address/name when I can, but you can still use Rajan's contact info to get a hold of me if something urgent arises). I am [View Full Entry]
elysse - elysse cheadle | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe | 1 Comment(s) | 0 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s) | [diary=239602] | 2008-01-26 10:27:50
By elysse
January 24th 2008
January 24th 2008
And so it begins...
Asia » India » National Capital Territory » New Delhi
Namaste! I am now officially in INDIA! Kaela and I arrived here four days ago. Our flight over was fine, but began with the terrifying realization that this place is dangerous - to be allowed on the plane, each passenger went through a whole serious of metal detectors, bag, and body checks. Seeing all the security precaustions definitely scared both of us. We arrived safely, luckily, without any excitement, and made it through the border without an issue. In what we are learning is the New Delhi style, our bags arrived late, in a very dirty and dusty airport. We were [View Full Entry]
elysse - elysse cheadle | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe | 2 Comment(s) | 0 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s) | [diary=238944] | 2008-01-24 09:38:29
I am trying to upload photos..I think they require a blog post..hmmm... [View Full Entry]
elysse - elysse cheadle | Read The Full Entry | Subscribe | 0 Comment(s) | 0 Photo(s) | 0 Video(s) | [diary=237511] | 2008-01-20 04:08:38