overwhelming my senses...

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I've been in India a whopping 3 days, and have probably spent a maximum of 20 minutes talking to any westerner or other traveler. How neat is that?! That is the problem I've had while traveling other countries, I stay in a hostel and meet more Europeans than the locals. So I end up leaving that country knowing more about other cultures than the one I'm actually trying to experience. So far, I can't say this about India. In some ways, I have to adjust not spending time with another 'white' person, but that's safe and comfortable for me, and I didn't come here for comfort.
So, I arrived in Delhi with no place to stay or anything booked. There is some sort of thrill to arriving in an unknown country and having it as an open book. Completely opposite from the two 19 yr old Australian girls I met in the airport! I asked them if they had ever traveled before and they said 'Yes, to Fiji!' Ha, I really had to admire their courage, because I don't know if I would recommend India as the first place to travel, but on the other hand, might be good because everything after that will seem easy. But they had everything booked and planned and documented down to the exit to take out of the airport. I was impressed!
So I found and bartered myself a windowless room in the dirtiest street I've yet to see in my life. Actually filthy! Right before the entrance to the hotel, there is a indent in the wall and two urnals. Why not have one there? I guess it saves the guys from walking inside a building to pee. It is an experience rolling your bag through a puddle (which is CLEARLY not water) and walking between two men peeing to get to a hotel where if you want hot water, you have to take a bucket and walk down the hallway to a faucet at the end to fill that up and return back to your room.
Oddly enough, I probably had two of the best nights sleep I've had in weeks there. There is always a silver lining to everything, ive discovered. You just have to look for it.
So day one, I start walking down this street and so many men try talking to me. It is initially shocking because they all speak excellent English. And it must be the British influence, but really proper English also. Such as 'its my pleasure madam'. Who says that and actually means it?! So, I get about two feet and this guy starts following me and talking. Immediately I'm wary, because the last thing I want is to be scammed or robbed. Turns out, he was a God sent because he directed me to a tourist office which was a legitimate one and he thanked me for being able to practice his English and walked away. I suppose Asia has jaded me to if someone helps or talks to me, they ask/demand money. Not in India so far!

I'll be the first to admit, I'm a sucker for sales pitches. If i was an Eskimo, I'd buy ice if someone was nice enough. Hmm, I'd like to think I got an OK deal, but I ended up booking a tour/train ticket up until the 24th of December. Wow, talk about commitment and I'm still uncertain how to feel about knowing where I will be more than 1 day in advance. It is a little bit relaxing on the other hand also.
I'll be traveling around Rajistan and seeing the Taj Mahal and spending one night in the desert riding a camel,and who knows what else?! Yes, I actually had no idea India had camels... now we all know!
So far, the food is unreal! Thankfully, my stomach has taken a bit of a beating the last few months, or else I probaby would have gotten 'Delhi belly' . Its the best curry and chai tea I've ever tasted. I'm forever ruined for normal ordinary north American food now. Oh, so on a side note, probably a good thing I prefer eating vegetarian dishes normally, because getting beef in India is probably impossible. And asking a local of they eat beef gets such a reaction, I had to ask more than just one person. Just because their reactions were so violently horrified that such a question could even come out of my mouth. I made the same mistake once about making reference to the holocaust & hitler to a German traveller.. I don't recommend bringing either of those topics up. Not to make myself seem ignorant, but I was curious as to their opinion, so now I know!
So far, I haven't felt in danger or threatened. Mind you, I'm being smart and not going out alone after 8pm, i say that just to set my Dads mind at ease :-). I have been learning a lot about Hinduism and their beliefs. Super interesting, and the whole reincarnation belief is good for me, because if someone harms me, that means they come back in their next life as a slug or some animal that isn't powerful. Soooo, I think it's a relatively safe place to travel.
The reason ive not talked with any foreigners is because I went on a tour of Delhi with a driver, and he had a friend who showed me another part of the city the next day, and today I arrived in Japuir and the friend had another friend, etc. It feels like i just jumped down a rabbit hole and everyone knows someone who will help or show me their city. And sure, why not! I've read that you are never alone in India. Its true. I had to say no about 10 times to going out tonight. Being alone in the most populated country in the world really does require effort!
I don't even know how I can keep up with the blog, because today alone I've seen elephants walking down the street, peacocks on the side of the road, a herd of 'sacred' cows on the freeway where one man was feeding them naan bread (the cows can go wherever they please, and people will feed them), a four year old child doing flips in between traffic trying to earn money, a palace built in a lake, and its only my 3rd night! I just walk down the road, hear the noises, smell the smells and it feels like an out of body experience. Maybe this is culture shock? Whatever it is, India certainly is not boring!

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[Rebecca]

I once heard a very wise person talk about the camels in India