Advertisement
Published: October 8th 2007
Edit Blog Post
Well we've finally made it to our last stop in India. We were contemplating doing some other stuff, but we're both really exhausted from this type of traveling and have decided to just stay put and leave a few days earlier. While we were here we really didn't do too much. We tried going to one of the markets to buy a few things before leaving but that turned out to be a lot more difficult than we thought. So really we just wandered around the different areas in Mumbai, had a few western meals and relaxed. We also sent home a small package of things we didn't need which took about 2 hours by the time we done. Hopefully it arrives to the states! The only two touristy things we did while we were there is 1- see a Bollywood movie, and 2- went to Elephanta Island. The movie was cute.. a predictable sports movie where the team wins the national championship at the end, but it was all in Hindi so it made it a little more interesting for us. Also right before the movie started the theatre played the national anthem so we all stood for that, something
different from what we do at home. Elephanta Island was really interesting as well. It took an hour by boat, and was filled with caves to explore. There were many of carvings made within the cave walls that were at least 7-8 meters high, and with such detail it was amazing to see.
So now a bit of a summary about what we thought of India:
It was definitely a culture shock, even though we thought we were prepared we definitely were not. There was plenty to see that was completely different from the lifestyle we were used to. It opened up our eyes to something new. However it wasn't all good, and certain things were actually really sad to see. That was why we picked India, so we could have that type of experience. The living situations were never that great, but I would say nothing to complain. The beds were decent, the toilets gross, but we had them, and in our room no less, so that's something. No bugs or spiders crawling around when we slept, also a good sign. Plus it was all super cheap so really what else could you ask for.
We never spent more than $10 a night for the two of us. The food was excellent too! We both really enjoyed the meals we had there. Most of the time we just picked something at random since we didn't know what anything was anyways, and 9 out of 10 times we really liked it. Certain things became familiar towards the end and when we weren't in the mood to be experimental we just picked something we had before and we knew we liked. My personal favorite was nan, which really is just bread, but for some reason I just loved it! I got it with every meal. Also the meals were a LOT spicier than I'm used to eating, but enjoyed it in the end. Hopefully we can get some of the spices at home to use. Shopping! All very cheap and I just loved bargaining with the Indians (they expect it). We didn't do too much though since we'll be back in Delhi to fly home so we're going to do the rest there. Now for some of the not so fun things. One that's a toss up is the trains. Some were good and some were bad.
Overall ok. The more money you spent the better the class and service. Those trips were great. But smashed in a berth with both packs, with just a fan blowing on you, or having to catch a train in the middle of the night, not as much fun. The horns are another thing. Every once in a while I thought we were used to it, then it got to us again. In the end we really thought they were doing it too make music, since they never let up. They could be passed you, and no one in the way and they'd lay on it. It made us wonder what for. Also be careful crossing the roads, I really think they would hit us if we didn't move out of the way. Last intense thing that got to us were the people, but only some of the time. It seemed like since we were white foreigners we were expected to give them money and buy things. Even us being on a backpacker budget. We got hassled all the time, the only break was when we were in our room, or maybe the train, when we weren't at a stop. At
that point people from the station would get on the train and try selling us food, drinks, anything. So those were the things that got to us three weeks later, it was time to move on.
But a change of plans. In the last week or so we had been trying to get a flight from here to Kathmandu, but it was virtually impossible. One airline told us they were completely sold out for the month of October, another only have flights costing more than $1000 per person. No thank you. Instead we have decided to go to Thailand early, and do Nepal on the way back so next stop is Bangkok!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.04s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 8; qc: 24; dbt: 0.0215s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1mb