Bundi for sleep

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Finally caught up on the blogging!

Being a 'Blogger' is like a full time job of fun and reporting. Poor, overworked me! If you need a little help, the previous 3 blogs were 'back-blogs.' Didn't want my fans to miss a beat!!!

My final destination before heading to Mumbai and flying home is a small village called Bundi. Several weeks ago I was on a boat to Malaysia (for a visa run) and met an older Dutch man. He told me two things, 1. Likely my ancestors are from Holland (based on my last name) and 2. Bundi is the best place in all of India. Lucky for me, it happens to be on my track across.

Remember The Pink Cell? The following two nights after 3 restless nights in The Cell, I slept on a sleeper train. The beds are all next to each other and sleep is restless at best. After 5 nights of crappy sleep and 2 days without a shower, I was ready for a little luxury!

I checked into my room in Bundi and WOW! The room itself was bigger than my apartment at home. Sitting area with cushy chairs (practically unheard of in India) and a giant (pretty soft) King sized bed! The floors were marble and the bathroom had a flushing toilet. One night in the palace room: $10.00

I really didn’t see any reason for leaving my room. So I ordered room service, took a hot shower (scrubbing diligently), and relaxed with a book.

The next day I did a little wandering. Found some cool, ancient wells that are elaborately decorated, but mostly just walked and took in the sights. I love walking amongst the hundreds of cows, just watch yer’ step!

On the third day I decided to get really adventurous and rented a bicycle. Yes! All apart of my triathlon training! A single speed with an enormous seat…

I must have pedaled for a couple of hours in total but it only felt like work on the uphill parts. After an hour of riding, I realized that this was perhaps the first time in India that I found myself alone. I hid my bike in some bushes and climbed to the top of a small hill giving me a 360 degree view of the area. I was so overwhelmed and shocked that I actually said, out loud, “Shit, I’m in India!” Sat down for a while and just breathed it all in.

My pedal back was mostly a slightly downward slope so very little effort required. I came back the same way that I had gone at the start so many people recognized me coming back and shouted additional greetings (mostly “hello” repeatedly until I acknowledged them).

All was calm until some children, aged 4-7 started running after me tell me to stop. I continued pedaling as I have found that children are trained to ask all white people for money or candy and I just wasn’t in the mood. While I continued to pedal, the children decided to stop me however they could (resourceful little buggers!). About 5 of the smallest children grabbed on to either me or the bike and dropped their weight, causing the bike to come to a halt at once. Of course, they screamed with laughter, while I nearly had a heart attack! Once of the bigger boys pulled the young ones off of me and my bicycle and I was back on my way.

Phew, attach of the killer children!

Am off to Mumbai in just a few hours. Had a chance to see the palace in Bundi this morning. A lovely, if not crumbling dramatically, old castle, but really not much better than the palace that I have been staying in!

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Photos

Local cow coming for her daily treat
This cow comes everyday to the hotel/palace that I stayed at. The owners give her food and then she leaves peacefully. BUT she will stand, stubbornly in the entrance until she gets what she came for.

Alone in India!
On top of the hill after an hours bike ride out of the village.

Beautiful Bundi!
Nearby lake, on bike tour.

Comments

[carl]

killer children!
that gave me a good laugh this morning.