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.
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