The past few days have been packed, a lot with travel. Our last in Varanasi was spent doing a hindu prayer ceremony on a boat on the ganges. You light a candle which is in a little holder filled with marigolds. From the middle of theriver you make a wish and if it floats to one shore still lit your wish comes true. Too bad for us because it was really windy. Luckily we eventually rowed in a bit and I know at least one of mine made it!
In addition I have learned that because of my birth date I fall under number 7 and am ruled by the planet neptune. 7s are restless and love travel and change...sound familiar?? Amazing how accurate some of this astrology stuff is.
Anyway, Saturday morning we took a ride out to Saranath which is where Buddha gave his first sermon, pretty cool. In the afternoon we did some shopping,and ever since the tiger fiasco I really wanted to find a little Ganesh (elephant, son of shiva-hindu god, means good luck). So I finally found one at this little store that was actually his house. People always say bargain here but I just can't bring myself to bargain over 100 rupees (2 dollars) with some of these people who obviously need it more than me. So, all trip I have been looking for these pants my roomie had from thailand, no where to be found. The Next store I went in after buying Ganesh had them and they cost a whole 2 bucks. The luck has started!!
We then headed to the train station in a torrental downpour and what turned out to be my most exciting/terrifying rickshaw ride yet. The streets were flooded, traffic was insane (as was my driver), its like being in a video game.
Anyway, we made it to our sleeper car. 4 of us were in one area with 4 other people + one very spoiled and loud baby (these parents really needed to learn some control or have another kid ASAP because this one is on her way to being a brat). Survived the night, we had bought the worlds best apple pie from a restaurant to take on the train and it was pure heaven. Made it to morning and our train was 3 hours late...no big deal except that I had a flight to catch. We finally made it to Delhi, again raining, so we are wading through puddles (ew) trying to get to the cabs. I had a seperate one so had to say very quick goodbyes to thr group- its amazing how trips like this bond you so quickly, you get so used to being around them.
So the trip ended as I headed ro the airport. I am SO happy I did the trip, it was such a great way to be introduced to India. Intrepid is fantastic, for anyone looking for some travel experience, I highly recommend. I will defintely be going on more in the future.
I was on a flight with 2 kids next to me and 2 behind with their parents way up front. These kids were out of control and barely got buckled in for takeoff. I think the stewards were not happy. But the flight was great, they give cool towels, snacks, meals, eveb on a short flight! So made it to Mumbai where I immediately noticed a difference in the city. Its cleaner and less chaotic,they even have traffic lanes and use blinkers! They also have stop lights which count down how long the light will be red which really only leads to cars running the light starting with 3 seconds left. Drove the 6 hours to Jamkhed and got here about 11 last night.
Today was great but I'm tired and need a shower so I will fill all that in on the next post.
Hope all is well, I'm devestated about Tim Russert and still can't believe it. I don't know that I will ever feel the same about Sundays :( Another reminder that everyday is valuable.
In addition I have learned that because of my birth date I fall under number 7 and am ruled by the planet neptune. 7s are restless and love travel and change...sound familiar?? Amazing how accurate some of this astrology stuff is.
Anyway, Saturday morning we took a ride out to Saranath which is where Buddha gave his first sermon, pretty cool. In the afternoon we did some shopping,and ever since the tiger fiasco I really wanted to find a little Ganesh (elephant, son of shiva-hindu god, means good luck). So I finally found one at this little store that was actually his house. People always say bargain here but I just can't bring myself to bargain over 100 rupees (2 dollars) with some of these people who obviously need it more than me. So, all trip I have been looking for these pants my roomie had from thailand, no where to be found. The Next store I went in after buying Ganesh had them and they cost a whole 2 bucks. The luck has started!!
We then headed to the train station in a torrental downpour and what turned out to be my most exciting/terrifying rickshaw ride yet. The streets were flooded, traffic was insane (as was my driver), its like being in a video game.
Anyway, we made it to our sleeper car. 4 of us were in one area with 4 other people + one very spoiled and loud baby (these parents really needed to learn some control or have another kid ASAP because this one is on her way to being a brat). Survived the night, we had bought the worlds best apple pie from a restaurant to take on the train and it was pure heaven. Made it to morning and our train was 3 hours late...no big deal except that I had a flight to catch. We finally made it to Delhi, again raining, so we are wading through puddles (ew) trying to get to the cabs. I had a seperate one so had to say very quick goodbyes to thr group- its amazing how trips like this bond you so quickly, you get so used to being around them.
So the trip ended as I headed ro the airport. I am SO happy I did the trip, it was such a great way to be introduced to India. Intrepid is fantastic, for anyone looking for some travel experience, I highly recommend. I will defintely be going on more in the future.
I was on a flight with 2 kids next to me and 2 behind with their parents way up front. These kids were out of control and barely got buckled in for takeoff. I think the stewards were not happy. But the flight was great, they give cool towels, snacks, meals, eveb on a short flight! So made it to Mumbai where I immediately noticed a difference in the city. Its cleaner and less chaotic,they even have traffic lanes and use blinkers! They also have stop lights which count down how long the light will be red which really only leads to cars running the light starting with 3 seconds left. Drove the 6 hours to Jamkhed and got here about 11 last night.
Today was great but I'm tired and need a shower so I will fill all that in on the next post.
Hope all is well, I'm devestated about Tim Russert and still can't believe it. I don't know that I will ever feel the same about Sundays :( Another reminder that everyday is valuable.
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