My Apologies...

So what I went through with my new Mac was extremely frustrating. At the time what I didn't realize was how small and insignificant my problem was in comparison to so many others problems. So I want to apologize. I feel bad for this complaining. This has truly made me realize how lucky I am. I'm angry at myself because I let the month of February pass by. I didn't take advantage of my time here, instead I complained. From now until I leave this country I am going to take full advantage of living in this incredible place. Yes it has/had its challenges, but, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I am now on my way back to where I was before this laptop drama, I am on my way back to loving it here. Again I am sorry and I hope you see a difference in these posts and forgive me.

Thanks guys!

They see white, they see money

It has been frustrating the past few days being in Mumbai. I’ve recently had a lot put into perspective. This happened plenty of times on the trip and it was one of the first things I noticed here in India. 

Being white, you get treated differently. They see white, they see money. I hate this… Yes I do realize I have been very privileged being born into the family I have and being born in Canada. I am very lucky and realize that more than ever. With the troubles I’ve been going through recently trying to get my new laptop out of customs, it has really thrown this all into perspective. The troubles I’m going through are nothing compared to trying to provide for a family and make a living while living on the streets. 

In Mumbai and else where in India, as soon as a beggar sees a white person they run after them and harass them to try  to get money from them. Honestly, I would love to help everyone who asks, but you just can’t. How do you pick who to give money too and who not too? I really dislike this. It makes me feel like an ass. It makes me hate the hierarchy that shouldn't exist. You’re also treated differently here, they put you on a pedestal. DON’T, I am not better than you, I am the same as you. We are both human.

Udaipur

Sylvie is currently on her own little adventure doing Vietnam, Thailand, India, and China. She landed in India on February 15th and on February 16th we took a bus from Pune to Udaipur. The bus was 20 hours, luckily we had a sleeper bus. The bus wasn’t too bad until the last 5 hours. At around 3 am I woke up feeling nauseous and I’ve NEVER gotten car sick. I popped some gravol and went back to sleep. At 8am (30 minutes before we were scheduled to arrive) I woke up abruptly and slammed open the window and puked my guts out down the side of the bus! Luckily all the other windows were closed otherwise it would have been bad… Sooo not a great start to Udaipur. Felt nauseous for most of the day, until around super time. That day we did the city palace, chilled on various roof tops, and wondered the city. 

Udaipur is a little city built on a lake in the state of Rajastan which is North of Pune. One of the things the town is famous for is the fact that Octopussy was filmed there. We spent three nights, 4 days there. We ate at some incredible restaurants on the waterfront. They were pricy but the atmosphere and the views of the city palace at night were worth. Honestly you have to be there. That is a common thing in India. Words, videos, and photos do not do this place justice what so ever! We spent our days wondering the twisting ally ways and shopping. It’s not as bad as it sounds cause we bought our stuff from this guy who could talk for hours. We learned so much from him about the area and what to see, where to eat, and what to do. It wasn’t your normal shopping experience. 

On Monday we were leaving at 5pm for Mumbai for a few nights. We wondered for a while to different parts of the city and then sat at a hookah bar for a few hours waiting for our bus. Very relaxing last few hours in Udaipur. 

The bus ride to Mumbai was 16 hours of bumpyness. FUN! Haha. Didn’t get sick this time though. We were suppose to stay in Mumbai for 1 night which turned into 2 for Syl and 3 for me. Long story and that will be in the next post. Syl left her passport in Pune and a hotel wouldn’t let her stay so she had to leave early and well my reason is infuriating but as I said I will get to it. Syl was suppose to fly from Pune to Delhi on Friday morning, never happened. Again another long story. I got back to Pune Friday evening. Was there for 2 nights and now back in Mumbai where I am currently writing this post. Wellllll until the next post.. Which may be in all caps due to anger. 

So long folks! 

Ps. Will add photo's to this post later. 

MUSE ICKITY ICK

Currently listening to Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2011 and loving 90% of the songs! Highly recommend to download it! But here are a few songs from it. Enjoy...

and finally...

Running in Mumbai

Morning run in Mumbai = Running away from stray dogs, running through train stations, dodging traffic, running through questionable smells, and running through what appears to be fog but is in reality pollution.

After India...

Also in February, I decided what I am going to do after India AND.....drum roll please... Mt. Everest Base Camp Trek! I amazingly stoked for this! It's a two week trek and it will take me about 300 m above base camp which sits at 5200m above sea level! The peak of Everest is 8000m above sea level so I am almost 3/4 of the way up! Can't efffing wait. I will be going to Nepal May 16th and be there just under a month! 

Fractured Harmonies

The following weekend after Hampi, the group of us decided to go to Goa! Time for a beach vacation. Well all I have to say is that it was beautiful, sunny, hot, and relaxing. Nothing really exciting happened, because the elections were going on so bars closed at 11pm :( However, alcohol is amazingly cheap there. For instance a 26 of rum costs $2 !!!! And it’s delicious rum at that! I got a lot of reading done and drank throughout the day chilling on our beach chairs. We did yoga in the mornings and went for walks along the beach watching the sun rise. One day we decided to swim to the island. It was a lot further than it appeared to be! But made it one piece and got some great exercise at the same time. Another morning we went dolphin watching on a boat during the sunrise. It was an extremely relaxing time. Others went cliff jumping and repelling down waterfalls. Sadly I couldn’t join them because the day I was able to go was booked full and Crystal, Marnie, and I had to leave a day earlier than everyone else due to school work. Oh well. I am planning a trip there very soon specifically for the cliff jumping and repelling! So no worries! 

All of our meals were eaten at tables directly on the sand and by candle light. There I also tried shark one night. I asked what fish had been caught that day and then I have a tray of fresh fish in front of me. I picked the baby shark. 30 min later the shark is cooked and sitting on the plate in front of me. YUM! 

There is this party at this beach called the “Silent Disco” which is a headphones party. We were going to go, only to find out it’s been cancelled due to the elections :( Oh well, we bought a bottle of Old Monk and drank it under the stars on the beach. Some skinny dipping may have been involved.. Shhh 

Goa, can’t wait to go back!

ENJOY IT!!!