Last day in Delhi

Today was my last day in Delhi, and tomorrow I'm flying out to Japan. It left me rather a very bad taste in my mouth... I mean, loosing $3 US was not really big of a deal... But what I really lost was time, since I was going to hit all the spot I wanted to see today. But I'm trying to think that things happen for a reason.

It's been eventful, hectic, and frustrating, and fun at the same time. Could it be better? Possibly. Will I do this again? Defiantly, well, except that 18 hours long bumpy as fuck ride back to Manali.

I tried, but have failed to make any good blog entries. That does not mean my trip was dull. As a matter of fact, it was far from it. I just haven't the chance because I've been way too busy enjoying my trip.

Tomorrow, I'll be in Japan. Where it's clean, orderly, no worries about getting ripped off ever. I've been doing very hard bargains here. There were so many things I wish I had it better here, but I'd much rather stay here forever than going to Japan. Why? I thought. Because there was freedom. I choose to go left, or right, or stay where I am. It was my choice and I loved every minute of it. I also realized a long time ago, my thoughts are always clear whenever I am in motion, moving and forwarding, going somewhere. I can't seem to think when I'm staying still.

It's all over now. It could be better, but that's alright.

Jaisalmer, sweet Polu and Gahji, and back to Delhi

After spending some time in Jaipur, I am now heading to Jaisalmer. Shai's favorite place, where camels are, and I've got a place to sleep at a guest house, being ran by sweet Polu and Gahji. Thanks to Shai, I'm making my way ever so comfortably. Plenty of sleep while riding the train got me plenty of energy. Polu's got a place for only 50 rupis per night. He told me I arrived too late to do the camel safari, but managed to find me a jeep tour to the desert where I can ride a camel for a while and watch the sunset. Everyone seems to be at home at his place. We fall asleep on his rooftop with a cool desert breez at night. Next day, I had a chance to stroll around this beautiful city before my train ride. 19 hours later, here I am back in Delhi...

Mumbai, Shai, and Rajastan!!!

After we came back from Himalaya mountain trip, I realized I've still got 9 more days left in India. Knowing that'd be too long to spend in Delhi alone, I decided to take everyone's suggestion and go visit Rajastan.

Since we decided to skip Shimla, I added one more destination on my trip--to see Shai in Mumbai, instead of having her come on over to see me in Delhi.

Shai was wonderful beyond compare. I had 1 1/2 day in Mumbai to see her. She was everything a girl can be. Pretty, smart, courageous, and loving. I was hesitant to spend $100+ for the flight since all train tickets were booked out, but it was more than worth the investment. She constantly fed me throughout the day, took me to cool places to show me around, and one of the most wonderful things that she did for me was to hook me up with my trip to Rajastan.

I did not know anything about foreign quorta. Despite all the train tickets were sold out, she managed to get me the night ticket with sleeping cart, including A/C to Jaipur, Jaisalmer, and to Delhi, all for $80.00!!!

Now I'm in Jaipur. Thanks to good night sleep and thanks to Shai, I am not tired and able to go on all day. After spending some time in Amber castle, I strolled arond market, and did some shopping.

Jaipur is simply beautiful. This must be the most exotic Indian place I have ever been since I got here. I cannot help feeling that I am in India. Now I'm about to get on the train to haed out to Jaisalmer to ride camels...

Change of plan

We are about to head back tomorrow. Anne the Texan left this morning. She was such a great travel buddy who made our time so much more fun and I'll miss her greatly.

Now it is me, Avinash, and Elizabeth. Avinash is concerned about me with the altitude sickness, but from what I know, once you've been through it and recovered, you won't get it again so I assure him that I will be alright. In 2 days, we will be in Delhi again.

We have decieded to skip Shimla and heading directly back to Delhi, through Manali. Instead, I have decided to add one more destination on my trip and visit Shai in Mumbai. Since we didn't get to meet in Delhi, making one more place to visit and meeting her there instead of dragging her all the way out to Delhi seemed like a good idea. She even offered me a place to stay at her place so I'm all so greteful... After that, I'm planning to go to Rajastan and try out the camel safari around the desert area. It will be hot as hell there, but riding camel had been on my wish list for a very long time.

I really wanted to see cute yaks with fuzzy butts while I was here, but I haven't managed to see any but a couple that were brought over for a ride for the tourists. Oh well, I might be able to run into a couple more back in Manali and will sure take pictures of them.

Altitude Sickness

So I thought I was going to be alright... It was nice to get away from heat and going into the Himalya mountains. I was fine in Manali, and I was fine in Keylong. The problem started when we entre Sarchu. I was running out of breath and started to feel dizzy.

I suppose, I was pushing myself a bit far when I was building the stone tower like everyone. Exhusted, I came to the tent we were staying at and collapsed. There I threw up and threw up. I felt so dehydrated but my stomach simply refused to keep anything down. Until next morning, until now, I'm not completly over my sickness yet. I feel a bit better, but not completly.

People who know me, know that I've got a bunch of my own theories. This is the theory I came up with altitude sickness. Due to lack of oxygen, the brain gets in panic mode and try to hoag as much oxygen as possible, leaving very little for the rest of the body. Digesting food would be the last thing the body would be concerned about. So stomach gets rid of everything inside, and doesn't allow anything to come in either. Unfortunatly, stomach does not distinguish ordinary food and water, the absolute necessity. I am able to keep the water down now, but I'm not about to chug it and take chance to throw up again.

So we are here, at the final destination of the Himalaya mountains, and I'll be heading to Rajastan upon return...

Delhi, Taj Mahal, and Himalaya mountains

It's been 5 days since I arrived in India. So much happened I don't even know where to start. Starting from getting ripped off even before I reached my guest house, with taxi ride, with internet cafe, with a bottle of water.

There I met Anne the Texan, and Shilp the next day, strolled around Delhi somewhat, ate, and enjoyed their company. Anne will be traveling with me for a while along with Avinash and Elisabeth when they make it back to Delhi, but Shilp needs to go to a meeting so he was staying with us for only a couple days.

The next day we've decided to see Taj Mahal. I was so excited that I was having a hard time sleeping the night before. Sure as hell, it wasn't a disappointment. It'd been magnificent if the weather was a bit cooler, but hey, I'm in India.

It is so hot here. And humidity doesn't make it any better. It's quite dirty, smells, but I still love it here. I've never been to such an exotic place. Everywhere I turn, my senses are stimulated. The chaos doesn't really bother me. And besides, I love the food.

Having seen Taj Mahal, now Shilp, the big teddy bear is leaving us. Now I'm waiting for Avinash with Anne. I am waiting for him anxiously, for the fact his arrival means end of the heat in Delhi, and the beggining of our journey to my much waited Himalaya mountains...

When he finally showed up with his girlfriend Elisabeth, words can't describe I was delighted by how much. I spent my last night in Delhi, in Tibetan refugee colony, with Anne, and we headed out to join Avi and Elisabeth (almost got ripped off again with bicycle rickshaw but I managed not to).

It took 14 hours of bus ride. The scenary changed. Spending overnight inside the bus, my back was hurting like hell but I was still happy. The rest stop scenary is like one in Korea. The food, the parked buses, the people from everywhere.

And we've arrived to our first destination, Manali. The place where one can get ahold of the finest marijuana in this world. But I don't know about that. And I'm not about to find it out...

So here we are. And tomorrow we are off again to go further up on the mountains. We will see how it goes.

Finally!!! In India!

I just made it as of last night. I had to stay in a hotel by the airport since the flight was early in the morning. I was hoping for the good night's sleep but due to the noise from hotel's nightclub, motion sensor light that turned on and off on its own, and mosquitos, I was pretty much staying up all night.

First stop was Narita airport in Tokyo, Japan. I guess there was no direct flight from Korea to India. As I am trying to take the connection tram to go to the other side of the airport to catch my connection flight, there was a mid-aged man with mustach, with a very serious look on his face. As crazy as it sounds, I thought...
"Oh, how cute!"
I always felt good vibe in Japanese environment. I don't know why.
I was exhusted from lack of sleep, but fortunately, the flight was empty, so I had my own row of sit to stretch out and get some sleep.

Now I'm in India. We'll see how it goes...