Arrival
Just arrived in India (well not exactly true but for the sake of this post lets pretend I have just got here) and it hits you like a slap in the face. Not an original sentiment I’m sure but quite appropriate. The smells, the sounds, the people. Just on first observation there seems to be so much confusion. Like everything is happening at once but without any specific reason, or cause. This is not to say I’m not enjoying it because far from it. I’m having a great time!
On my first inspection of the traffic system here, I have to say that Doug and I couldnt have picked a better place to learn how to ride a motorbike. Everyone is very courteous and considerate on the roads. Its like the Germany of Asia.
My first lesson was only use the horn when necessary.
But the big thing here and I guess the attraction of many places is the people. The stare at you but its not with hostility but with a genuine curiosity, then as soon as you smile at them you are rewarded with a huge grin and head wobble that makes you feel so welcome. I have to say I’m loving the smile and head wobble, it seems like such an open innocent gesture. Its disarming.
So my first night was spent in Trichy after which I travelled by overnight train to Bangalore, which would have been fine except I’m already waging an internal war with my intestinal system, and when your only option is a train toilet you have only one choice but to fight the good fight and hope you win at 4am in the morning. That aside I arrived safely and have begun my mission in Bangalore to source the motorbikes for the trip.
More on that soon.
Aha, he is alive!
I’m still in Belgium packing and I notice my head is not really here anymore. Nor is it in India. I guess its in nomansland. Sometimes people talk to me and I’m not there.
And I start to have nightmares of riding into a holy cow’s ass and then getting beaten to death by a mob of angry Indians.
Of course in reality with a trustworthy wingman like Ben we would get away and will laugh about it while drinking some *bang*-lassi by the beach.
Just can’t wait to start the trip!
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Dude most of the trains should have western toilets on one side and sqautters on the other… But i dont know what class you’re travelling in. Sometimes when they wabble their head it means they’re angry and…You can get free tuktuk rides if you go to some stores they nominate and dont buy anything. (=
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Doug, oh the adventures we might end up having. Remind me to tell you about my friends experience of drinking bhang lassi.
Kurt, yes they have western toilets on the other side but with no toilet paper and an explosive exit strategy, it wasn’t going to work.
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When you find toilet paper, stock up, it’s rare. And they don’t have tampons there either.
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Smiling people. it seems like another planet for me!
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