Thanks
First, I would like to thank all of you for reading and leaving comments. It has been very enjoyable to share my experiences with all of you.
India In Numbers
Bollywood Movies In - 2
World Wonders Seen- 1 (2 down, 5 to go)
Indian States Traveled Through- 9
Hours on Trains - 110
Hours on Planes - 2
Hours on Buses/Shared Jeeps - 70
Highest Altitude (feet) - 18,380
Cheapest Meal ($) - 1, veg curry, rice, and sprite
Most Expensive Meal ($) - 10, french fries, pizza, 2 king fisher beers, and icecream
Weight Lost (lb) - 15
Cheapest Hotel ($) - 2 (Leh)
Most Expensive Hotel ($) - 10 (Mumbai)
Consecutive Days Without Seeing a White Person - 39
Blog Posts - 31
Days in India- 84
Reflection & Goodbye
I am pretty proud of my first travel blog. It was far from perfect though. I often was too caught up in the moment to take photographs. I also made a conscious decision not to pervasively photograph people I don't know. My only major regret is not being more adventurous. I also regret not getting a motorcycle. Next time it will be different.
Next time? Yes, I will return to India. There is still much to be explored in the north, and I have not even seen the south. The charm of Andhra Pradesh, the amazing temples (and friends) of Tamil Nadu, the backwaters of matriarchal Kerala, and the tourist-friendly beaches of Goa.
I am planning to blog my future travels. Hopefully my 2nd travel blog will be more comprehensive, and more interesting, then my first. Along with India, there is talk of an Alaskan road trip. And then there is the rest of the world. We will just have to see. Anyway, thank you soooo much for reading my blog and commenting. I hope you enjoyed reading the posts as much as I enjoyed writing them.
singing off,
Dave
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Life Is Grand
I have been really enjoying my time here at IIT. The people are great and my research is going well. The campus is also very peaceful and relaxing.
Animal Update: Sam Shoulders and his friends still chirp at night. They also poop on my desk. The goat does not seem to remember me, despite our magical night. I occasionally see him and his goat friends skidding full-speed down the hallway with the security guard in hot persuit. I have become friendly with a stray dog who likes to have his ears scratched. He is very handsome and friendly. Everytime he sees me, he come running towards me with his tail wagging furiously.
The friendly stray dog.
Walking home from the lab.
Bike parking lot.
Animal Update: Sam Shoulders and his friends still chirp at night. They also poop on my desk. The goat does not seem to remember me, despite our magical night. I occasionally see him and his goat friends skidding full-speed down the hallway with the security guard in hot persuit. I have become friendly with a stray dog who likes to have his ears scratched. He is very handsome and friendly. Everytime he sees me, he come running towards me with his tail wagging furiously.
The friendly stray dog.
Walking home from the lab.
Bike parking lot.
A Night Out On The Town
Last night my friend Romio, from Manipur, and I went to have a beer. He had offered a week ago, and I decided to take him up on his offer. When Romio picked me up from my room he informed me that their are no wine shops (as they are called in India) in walking distance of IIT. Instead, Romio would take me to a 'secret place' to get a beer.
We walked for about a kilometer, mostly in the pitch black, and we finally arrived at a shop where people can make phone calls. These are actually called STDs in India. You can find STDs everywhere in India. Anyway, we enter this small shop , and the guy takes us out back to his home. His home was essentially a hut with a bed, small stove, and table. The guy was really nice, and it was interesting for me to see how the less affluent Indians live. We ended up having a few beers and some snack before heading back to the hostel.
Romeo in the hut. I know he does not look like a 'typical' Indian. It is because he is from Manipur, in the far northeast of the country.
Party time!!
We walked for about a kilometer, mostly in the pitch black, and we finally arrived at a shop where people can make phone calls. These are actually called STDs in India. You can find STDs everywhere in India. Anyway, we enter this small shop , and the guy takes us out back to his home. His home was essentially a hut with a bed, small stove, and table. The guy was really nice, and it was interesting for me to see how the less affluent Indians live. We ended up having a few beers and some snack before heading back to the hostel.
Romeo in the hut. I know he does not look like a 'typical' Indian. It is because he is from Manipur, in the far northeast of the country.
Party time!!
Monday, July 30, 2007
A Month Sans White People (And White People Food)
As of tomorrow I have gone an entire month without seeing a single white person. Not one.
I know it's not important, but it is an interesting milestone. People usually travel in pairs or groups, or travel to places where there are at least a few other tourists. This means most people never go more then a day or two, in their entire lives, without seeing someone from their own culture/race. I have gone 30, so far. Lucky for me, I like Indians (other then Selvan).
This also marks a month of eating nothing but Indian food. I have eaten enough Dal to last me a lifetime. But overall the food is not bad, and my stomach is holding up surprisingly well. And you can't really complain when breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner cost a combined $1.25.
I know it's not important, but it is an interesting milestone. People usually travel in pairs or groups, or travel to places where there are at least a few other tourists. This means most people never go more then a day or two, in their entire lives, without seeing someone from their own culture/race. I have gone 30, so far. Lucky for me, I like Indians (other then Selvan).
This also marks a month of eating nothing but Indian food. I have eaten enough Dal to last me a lifetime. But overall the food is not bad, and my stomach is holding up surprisingly well. And you can't really complain when breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner cost a combined $1.25.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Happy Anniversary Nanny & Popop!!
Congratulations Nanny & Popop!!! Happy 60th Wedding Anniversary!!!
Being married for 60 years is a spectacular achievement. I am very happy for you both.
Congrats, and I will see you guys soon!!
love,
Dave
ps. Sorry for the lack of India-related posts lately. I will try to post some pictures soon.
Being married for 60 years is a spectacular achievement. I am very happy for you both.
Congrats, and I will see you guys soon!!
love,
Dave
ps. Sorry for the lack of India-related posts lately. I will try to post some pictures soon.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Happy Birthday Grandmom!!
Happy Birthday Grandmom!
or in north India (Hindi) we might say:
Janamdin Mubarak!
or in south India (Tamil) we might say:
Puraandanaal Vaarthukkal!
or I could also say happy birthday in one of the other 20+ languages spoken in India. No matter how you say it, I hope you have a great birthday and enjoy the Phillies game.
love,
Dave
ps. The date on the post may say the 23rd, but here in India, it is actually the 24th :)
or in north India (Hindi) we might say:
Janamdin Mubarak!
or in south India (Tamil) we might say:
Puraandanaal Vaarthukkal!
or I could also say happy birthday in one of the other 20+ languages spoken in India. No matter how you say it, I hope you have a great birthday and enjoy the Phillies game.
love,
Dave
ps. The date on the post may say the 23rd, but here in India, it is actually the 24th :)
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The Things They Carried
Since arriving in India, I have been on over 2 dozen different bus and train trips. It is fascinating to see what locals bring with them on to public transportation. In the U.S. you can hide all of your strange items in a moving truck or the trunk of a car, but in India, it is all out in the open.
Some of my favorites thus far are:
Open Containers of Gasoline:
A guy brought two huge metal containers on the 6 hour bus trip from Leh to the Nubra Valley. He sat on them in the isle, as he did not have a seat and just paid the bus driver under the table to get on the bus. After awhile the bus started reeking of gasoline. We were afraid the bus was having mechanical problems, but it turns out the guys metal containers were full of gasoline.
Eveline wearing her scarf on her face to muffle the smell.
Bloody Goat Head:
On the local bus around the Nubra Valley a guy got on the bus with what appeared to be a bloody goat head. I was not close enough to confirm it was a goat, but it was definitely a bloody animal head.
Stove:
On a local bus around Leh a guy brought on a full stove. I guess the guys who sell food on the street have to get home somehow.
Giant Ball of Clothing:
This one is my favorite. In the Mumbai train terminal a family had a gigantic ball of clothing, approximately 5 feet in diameter. It looked as if they had started with a small ball, and wrapped all the clothing they owned around it until it become gigantic. I have no idea why they would do this. I am sure they could not pick it up, which means they had to roll this giant ball of clothing on the filthy streets and train station floors of Mumbai.
Some of my favorites thus far are:
Open Containers of Gasoline:
A guy brought two huge metal containers on the 6 hour bus trip from Leh to the Nubra Valley. He sat on them in the isle, as he did not have a seat and just paid the bus driver under the table to get on the bus. After awhile the bus started reeking of gasoline. We were afraid the bus was having mechanical problems, but it turns out the guys metal containers were full of gasoline.
Eveline wearing her scarf on her face to muffle the smell.
Bloody Goat Head:
On the local bus around the Nubra Valley a guy got on the bus with what appeared to be a bloody goat head. I was not close enough to confirm it was a goat, but it was definitely a bloody animal head.
Stove:
On a local bus around Leh a guy brought on a full stove. I guess the guys who sell food on the street have to get home somehow.
Giant Ball of Clothing:
This one is my favorite. In the Mumbai train terminal a family had a gigantic ball of clothing, approximately 5 feet in diameter. It looked as if they had started with a small ball, and wrapped all the clothing they owned around it until it become gigantic. I have no idea why they would do this. I am sure they could not pick it up, which means they had to roll this giant ball of clothing on the filthy streets and train station floors of Mumbai.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Pet Update - 2 New Additions!!!
Little Sam Shoulders Has A New Friend
It appears that I now have 2 lizards living in my room, not 1. This confirms, as many of you hypothesized, that the noise he was making was a mating call. Very romantic.
Little Sam Shoulders and his new friend.
An Uninvited Guest
A small goat was outside my room hiding among the bikes from the security guards, who chase animals away from the hostels with sticks. He was very cute, so I took some pictures and edged closer so I could pet him. He was very afraid at first, but he warmed up quickly.
I turn around and go back to my room to read. Next thing I know, the little guy is trotting in to my bedroom like he owns the place.
He puts his head in my bag, climbs under my bed, goes in to my closet, and I am pretty sure he would have jumped on to my bed if it were not for the mosquito net.
We hung out for awhile, and then we decided to take some 'family photos.' I wanted to take normal smiling photos, but he had other plans.
First, he wanted a serious photo, because c'mon this is IIT, one of India's most prestigious universities. I agreed.
Then things got a little crazier. We decided to do a 'surprised' photo. I don't think we did too good of a job with this one.
Then we did an angry yelling face. I was not that intense, but he was going wild.
Then he asked me to kiss him.
He hung out in my room for awhile as I read, but when I went to bed I had to kick him out. I wanted him to stay, but I didn't want to close the door while he was in my room and have the IIT people think I am kidnapping their goat. I could imagine the repercussions:
Job Interview 1 Year From Now
Potential Employer: So, I see you did a research project at IIT last summer, how did that turn out?
Me: Well, I never actually finished the research. I had to leave before I finished.
Potential Employer: Leave? Why would you do that?
Me: I was accused of trying to kidnap a goat.
In the end, the goat would not leave and I physically had to carry him out of the room. He spent the night sleeping against my door until the security guard chased him away in the morning. I am pretty sure he will be back tonight and I have to figure out a name for him. Suggestions are welcome. Anyone have good name ideas?
It appears that I now have 2 lizards living in my room, not 1. This confirms, as many of you hypothesized, that the noise he was making was a mating call. Very romantic.
Little Sam Shoulders and his new friend.
An Uninvited Guest
A small goat was outside my room hiding among the bikes from the security guards, who chase animals away from the hostels with sticks. He was very cute, so I took some pictures and edged closer so I could pet him. He was very afraid at first, but he warmed up quickly.
I turn around and go back to my room to read. Next thing I know, the little guy is trotting in to my bedroom like he owns the place.
He puts his head in my bag, climbs under my bed, goes in to my closet, and I am pretty sure he would have jumped on to my bed if it were not for the mosquito net.
We hung out for awhile, and then we decided to take some 'family photos.' I wanted to take normal smiling photos, but he had other plans.
First, he wanted a serious photo, because c'mon this is IIT, one of India's most prestigious universities. I agreed.
Then things got a little crazier. We decided to do a 'surprised' photo. I don't think we did too good of a job with this one.
Then we did an angry yelling face. I was not that intense, but he was going wild.
Then he asked me to kiss him.
He hung out in my room for awhile as I read, but when I went to bed I had to kick him out. I wanted him to stay, but I didn't want to close the door while he was in my room and have the IIT people think I am kidnapping their goat. I could imagine the repercussions:
Job Interview 1 Year From Now
Potential Employer: So, I see you did a research project at IIT last summer, how did that turn out?
Me: Well, I never actually finished the research. I had to leave before I finished.
Potential Employer: Leave? Why would you do that?
Me: I was accused of trying to kidnap a goat.
In the end, the goat would not leave and I physically had to carry him out of the room. He spent the night sleeping against my door until the security guard chased him away in the morning. I am pretty sure he will be back tonight and I have to figure out a name for him. Suggestions are welcome. Anyone have good name ideas?
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Little Sam Shoulders
There is a 6 inch long lizard that seems to be living in my room. I have named him Little Sam Shoulders. I see him a few times a day, usually scurrying across the wall towards the light. He eats bugs, and I hate bugs, so I am happy to share the room with him.
The only problem is he makes a loud chirping sound, almost like a bird, when he cannot get outside. After I saw the monster spider and a snake, I put a sheet under the crack in my back door to keep large bugs and snakes out. Little Sam Shoulders will go up to the sheet in the door crack or next to the closed window and he will make a chirping sound. It is a little startling when he does this late at night in the pitch black room.
His usual spot by the light.
On the move.
Chirping by the window.
Sam Shoulders - The awesome guy I named little Sam Shoulders after.
The only problem is he makes a loud chirping sound, almost like a bird, when he cannot get outside. After I saw the monster spider and a snake, I put a sheet under the crack in my back door to keep large bugs and snakes out. Little Sam Shoulders will go up to the sheet in the door crack or next to the closed window and he will make a chirping sound. It is a little startling when he does this late at night in the pitch black room.
His usual spot by the light.
On the move.
Chirping by the window.
Sam Shoulders - The awesome guy I named little Sam Shoulders after.
IIT Guwahati Campus
IIT Guwahati is located outside the city of Guwahati, which is in the north-East Indian state of Assam. The city itself is nondescript and dirty. Guwahati also has frequent bombings and kidnappings by the separatist group ULFA. Needless to say, I don't plan on spending a whole lot of time in the city.
The IIT campus is across the Brahmaputra River from Guwahati and is much more peaceful. I am staying in the graduate student hostel. It is similar to a U.S. dorm except that all of the hallways and stairways are outside. Overall, it is a nice environment and I have befriended a bunch of guys in my hostel. My office is air conditioned and pleasant, aside from the giant spider that lurks outside the door.
Below are some photos from IIT Guwahati:
My hostel.
My room.
View out front door of my room.
View from my room's back porch.
A few stray dogs by another hostel.
Lake.
Academic building where my office is located.
The IIT campus is across the Brahmaputra River from Guwahati and is much more peaceful. I am staying in the graduate student hostel. It is similar to a U.S. dorm except that all of the hallways and stairways are outside. Overall, it is a nice environment and I have befriended a bunch of guys in my hostel. My office is air conditioned and pleasant, aside from the giant spider that lurks outside the door.
Below are some photos from IIT Guwahati:
My hostel.
My room.
View out front door of my room.
View from my room's back porch.
A few stray dogs by another hostel.
Lake.
Academic building where my office is located.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Gigantic Spider
I have finally made it to IIT Guwahati and am now beginning my research. The place is nice, and I will post more information and photos later. More urgently, I have just had a run in with the biggest spider I think I have seen in my entire life (zoos included). It was literally the size of a dinner plate. And thick. I bet he weighed 5 pounds.
I was leaving the lab to go to the bathroom and in the outdoor corridor I saw something big and black out of the corner of my eye. I turn and see this monster spider running down the wall next to me, lodging himself between me and the bathroom. He didn't seem afraid. I was afraid. At this point I decided to use a different bathroom. My heart is still pounding. I didn't have my camera, but if I see him again I will try to take a picture.
On the plus side, this huge spider makes the cockroaches and lizards in my hostel's bathroom insignificant.
I was leaving the lab to go to the bathroom and in the outdoor corridor I saw something big and black out of the corner of my eye. I turn and see this monster spider running down the wall next to me, lodging himself between me and the bathroom. He didn't seem afraid. I was afraid. At this point I decided to use a different bathroom. My heart is still pounding. I didn't have my camera, but if I see him again I will try to take a picture.
On the plus side, this huge spider makes the cockroaches and lizards in my hostel's bathroom insignificant.
Home @ 15000 Feet
I mentioned in the Leh-Manali highway post that our keys were driven away with at a high altitude camp site. This place was a a small camp site where truckers and tourists can stop to get something to eat.
When we got stuck at this place, I was told the news while eating soup sold to me by a woman who lived and sold food out of a giant white tent. She overheard the news and I think she felt sorry for me. I think she felt sorry for me because I was clueless white guy in a sea of Indians. Or it could be because of my ridiculous attire (mis matched, thick wool socks with flip flops, fly in pants broken) lead her to believe believe I was mentally handicapped, or at least really confused. Either way, she told me I could stay with her and her family in their giant white tent house as long as I like. I ended up staying just a few hours, but I appreciated the sentiment very much. Here are some photos of my would-be home:
The Camp Site.
The home.
My bed.
My foster mother.
When we got stuck at this place, I was told the news while eating soup sold to me by a woman who lived and sold food out of a giant white tent. She overheard the news and I think she felt sorry for me. I think she felt sorry for me because I was clueless white guy in a sea of Indians. Or it could be because of my ridiculous attire (mis matched, thick wool socks with flip flops, fly in pants broken) lead her to believe believe I was mentally handicapped, or at least really confused. Either way, she told me I could stay with her and her family in their giant white tent house as long as I like. I ended up staying just a few hours, but I appreciated the sentiment very much. Here are some photos of my would-be home:
The Camp Site.
The home.
My bed.
My foster mother.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Vashist & Whiskey With Indian Tourists
While in Manali I took a day trip to Vashist. Vashist is a small, pretty village, known for its hot springs, across the valley from Manali. Once in Vashist, I hiked to the nearby waterfall.
Photos of the walk to Vashist
The waterfall, which had an upper and lower part, was beautiful. At the upper part I was approached by a holy man who talked to me for awhile before aggressively trying to sell me marijuana. At this point I headed to the lower part where I came upon half a dozen Indian men swimming in their underwear. After taking some pictures (of the waterfall, not the men) I headed back to the village.
Photos of the waterfall
On the way back to the village I chatted with the Indian guys, who were college-aged tourists from a suburb of Delhi. When they offered me a ride to Manali I obliged.
Upon arriving in Manali I mentioned I was heading back to old Manali for dinner and a beer, and they said I was welcome to join them for food and drink. The rest of the night went a little different then expected. Instead of eating and getting a beer at a restaurant we ended up sitting in a circle on their bed, talking about women, eating spicy chicken and drinking cheap Indian whiskey mixed with water.
The night ended with the guys walking me back to Old Manali where I hospitably invited them in to my guest house room where we shared a few beers and looked at pictures of my friends and family. Friends and family should be pleased (or scared) to know that a few of the guys took photos of my photos on their camera phones and thus many of you will forever be saved on some random Indian guys' phones.
Photos of the debauchery
Photos of the walk to Vashist
The waterfall, which had an upper and lower part, was beautiful. At the upper part I was approached by a holy man who talked to me for awhile before aggressively trying to sell me marijuana. At this point I headed to the lower part where I came upon half a dozen Indian men swimming in their underwear. After taking some pictures (of the waterfall, not the men) I headed back to the village.
Photos of the waterfall
On the way back to the village I chatted with the Indian guys, who were college-aged tourists from a suburb of Delhi. When they offered me a ride to Manali I obliged.
Upon arriving in Manali I mentioned I was heading back to old Manali for dinner and a beer, and they said I was welcome to join them for food and drink. The rest of the night went a little different then expected. Instead of eating and getting a beer at a restaurant we ended up sitting in a circle on their bed, talking about women, eating spicy chicken and drinking cheap Indian whiskey mixed with water.
The night ended with the guys walking me back to Old Manali where I hospitably invited them in to my guest house room where we shared a few beers and looked at pictures of my friends and family. Friends and family should be pleased (or scared) to know that a few of the guys took photos of my photos on their camera phones and thus many of you will forever be saved on some random Indian guys' phones.
Photos of the debauchery
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