I am in Rajasthan! Jodhpur! And this feels like the real INdia, quite different from Goa, where people are used to tourists... Right away, in the train, i could feel a bit of a different atmosphere. People are very curious, I see a lot of question marks in their faces. What is this woman doing alone here? And it could actually feel scary, but when you realize they are just puzzled, you also realize that it's quite a normal reaction in a country where women are not yet as "free" as we are in the west. And I think the best thing I solo woman traveling can do is wear their local clothes. The salwar kameez is one of the best way to show respect for their culture and it opens a way to the heart ... read more

One more little story before I leave Goa.... Yesterday, I had to go to Penjim to cancel one of my train tickets. It was a great day. I really like Penjim, so green and much quieter and cleaner than many other cities around. And really good food. Iain had to mail some books back home. Mailing books is cheap from India, but you have to package them in white cloth. So we went to a kind of tailor shop. Older man, very friendly. He was not in a rush and it was fascinating. This shop also had a photocopier, which I needed. I don't know how long we were in the shop, but it was one of those great indian experience. The old man gave me a Lonely Planet about INdia and asked me to read ... read more

I love India. Did I mention that before? Oh well, I am still in Goa, and I am starting to think about leaving soon... My itinerary changed, I will not go south after all, I decided to go to Rajasthan instead. I figure that instead of being on a dog sled in February, I should try a camel trek this year. So this week I went to Panjim, a very nice city in Goa, where I tried to book my train ticket to Rajasthan. But I am a bit late and it might be somewhat complicated to get there, but we'll see. I will leave Goa next Saturday, and maybe I will have to go back to Mumbai first, but in about 10 days, I should be close to my first camel... Panjim was lovely. Much ... read more

Yesterday was market day in Mapusa. It is not a toursit market, more of a local thing. Which I like better. Lots of fabrics, clothes, and lots of fruits and veggies. Here is a typical day at the market: -How much a kg of this? -40 Rs. You want 2 kg? -No, no, half a kilo is fine. -Here, very fresh, very good, cheap cheap, 2 kg for 80 Rs. -No, no, just half a kilo. -Here is a kilo, 40 Rs. -Ah, Ok then. Next place, fabrics: -I like this fabric. How much is it? -70 Rs, you take 4 m? -No, I just need 2.5 m. For a top. -Take this color also. Very good. Light cotton. Where are you from? -Canada. -Cold in Canada? -Yes, very cold. -We have woolen fabric, very good ... read more

Where should I start.... Well, the yoga here is AMAZING! So different to do yoga in the heat... My body loves it anyway. And since yesterday was a day off, it was time to go see the beach. AMAZING beach, some areas are super crowded but others are much much better. Walking on the sand, being offered 10 necklaces for 200 rupies, "best morning price ma'am". It's fun. I love it. Then Iain taught me a nice river where we covered ourselves with clay. Waw, Amazing how the skin gets soft after that! Nice to have someone to show me the cool places around! Then it was time for food and more time doing not much, drinking lassi and more lassi and then back home on the scooter. And in the evening it was the Arpora ... read more