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HELLO India!

Dearly beloved. I would apologize for not having written in a few days, but I think I would make myself sick before I was done typing the apology. So I won't. And anyways it doesn't make much sense to use yours and my valuable time explaining that I either had a headache, didn't have access, or was feeling a little lazy (Which I also refuse to apologize for during MY vacation/adventure-Don't even get me started!) Look you guys, enough is ENOUGH. Let's just drop it and move on, ok? OK?! Ok.

Alright. I'm sorry... you might be right. I do feel better. Thanks guys.

So last night I arrived to India, and I have a feeling I'm going there will be some real solid entries in the next couple of week. That is of course when there is access, or whatever(stop it!). After a month in China, I was really ready for a good cultural change. Then after some 6+ weeks in S.E. Asia I started feeling a little antsy for a fresh cultural flavor. And now? Now, I think I may be in for the biggest culture shock yet.

Let's begin with the taxi. After being told I needed to confirm my next flight (to London) as soon as I landed, tracking all over the Delhi International Airport and fighting my way through the loads of oozy sporting guards and tourist hungry taxi drivers, I learned the office was closed. Next step was finding a guest house. It's about 9 pm at this point, maybe later, and while I have had some life lessons on my trip, I'll admit I'm still a bit cheap. So rather than getting a taxi by myself, I start asking people getting off the plane if they'd like to split a taxi into town.

Myself and a kind French couple climb into this World War II circa vehicle/taxi and buckle up what was easily the most exciting taxi ride of my life. Now I've been to China, Rome, and Chicago, and have never been a part of such an experience. Swerving, honking, brake-slamming, all to a chorus of French-American gasps. The ride slowed down once we got to town but did fade in excitement. Because now instead of riding the bumper of various cars we were riding the heels of hundreds of people...oh yeah, and cattle. Cattle everywhere, walking the streets mooing and pooping anywhere they please.

The upside is people speak English. And with this kind of cultural shuffle that is a Really nice upside. While it's no China, people still stare a LOT, and there are plenty of street hagglers. Today I haven't done much. I only have two weeks here and India is a very large country so after I swapped hotels (from the 1200 Rupee hotel the French had reservations at, to a 250 Rupee delight)I have spent the day interviewing a couple travelers for India travel tips. Normally in my travels I haven't had a thorough game plan opting rather to play it by ear. But this one? This one is a little different. I think this one I might pencil something out.

I'll begin tomorrow with the the world's greatest love monument ever built.

The Taj Mahal.

posted by Travelin' D @ 2:14 AM