I've only been here for 4 days but I'm already losing the battle...India is kicking my ass. I'm definitely missing the comforts of home right now and it seems like I just can't escape the chaos of life in Rajasthan.
And the sad thing is that it could be much more harsh. I'm still staying at fairly nice places...i.e. they have their own bathroom (although it's been impossible to get a full nights sleep with the constant noise) the weather has been great (no AC needed) and I haven't even gotten on any long bus/train rides yet...
Should be interesting to see how the rest of this part of the trip goes.
update: interesting quote from a semester at sea friend about India: "As for whether or not I want to go back. Absolutely. Just not any time soon."
Still not quite hacking it here as the pollution (and all the other chaos) really gets to me after only a few hours. Been hiding out in internet cafes and american resturants :( Kinda wishing I had a fast forward button right now...or maybe instead a "why do people like it here" button.
Been awhile I know! But holy crap... I can't believe you made it to Dwalli (yeah, I'm not going to bother to look up the spelling... you know what I mean). I figured you might make it since the timing was reasonable, but wow! I'm not so sure you could be there under crazier circumstances! Especially for a first visit! And you basically just walked off of a plane into the fray? Amazing.
I wish I had made it out there with you. But the Eastern Europe trip and my upcoming move to Tokyo aren't so bad. Living in Detroit and hoarding a few pennies isn't great, but it isn't terrible either. Anyway, good luck!
Posted by: Karrer | 17 November 2004 at 10:31
Don't sweat the spelling...no one else (anywhere) does.
Ever since I arrived in Taiwan the need for things to be spelled correctly has been non-existent. City names are spelled a ton of different ways within the city itself, street names are hardly ever the same as they are on a map (if they even have street signs) and there's always the usual mix of crazy Engrish translations.
Posted by: adam | 18 November 2004 at 05:14
Can you confirm that the Taj Mahal is next to a garbage dump? I heard that rumor and have wondered if it is true.
Posted by: Matt | 29 November 2004 at 12:05
Well, Agra (the town that the Taj is in) isn't too clean...but I wouldn't call it a garbadge dump :) And as for the surrounding area...there's a river behind the Taj with sorta open fields.
The thing is, there are many open garbage dumping areas throughout India so I'm sure you could find one close enough. There have been a few times on the trip when I've been looking to dispose of a bottle/etc...and I'll ask where the nearest garbage can is and instead i'll be pointed to a heap in the street somewhere.
Posted by: adam | 29 November 2004 at 21:23