2009 November | Saben and Lin

Baby, it’s cold outside…

November 13, 2009 – Day 322 – Udaipur, India

Wow, it’s really cold here! We spent the day wandering the streets of Udaipur, taking a peek at the ghats and the Lake Palace across the water. Udaipur is a pleasant Indian city with a very high concentration of cows (and thus their “patties”). Unfortunately, much of the water is polluted with trash and other dirty liquids that turn it to a brownish color. It has been a gloomy, cold day but we are hoping for some sun and a more beautiful looking lake tomorrow!

Not really much of a lake, more of a bog

Oh not again!

November 11-12, 2009 – Day 320-321 – Jodhpur/Udaipur, India

On the way to Jodhpur last night we discovered that India has made yet another attempt on our lives. This time is was in the form of some poisoned desert eggs! Saben nearly croaked on the bus ride but luckily kept his guts about him til we landed in Jodhpur at the trusty Evergreen Guest House (exceedingly clean and wonderfully cheap! Rs. 250 double room with private bath, hot water). We spent the 11th lying flat on our backs fighting the clutches of death again and hoping we really don’t die here.

Fruit beer!, it cures what ales you. (some exclustions may apply)

Fruit beer!, it cures what ales you. (some exclusions may apply)

Camel racing!

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November 10, 2009 – Day 319 – Jaisalmer, India

At sunrise we awoke to a morning as cold as the night had been. With nothing but our noses peeking out of our blankets, we were nearly frozen solid in the cold desert air. The stars were amazing but the wind that came with the blanket of night was almost more than we could take. Our toes hung over our tiny beds and let in an unwelcome draft that chilled our bones each time we stretched beyond the fetal position.

Boy and Camel, a story of freezing death

Riding on a camel named Papu…

November 9, 2009 – Day 318 – Jaisalmer, India

We got into a dusty jeep mid afternoon to begin our camel safari. Odd way to start a camel safari perhaps but after an hour’s drive with a brief stop at an abandoned village, we found ourselves boarding our goofy, furry mounts to head farther into the Thar desert.

The true Mr. Desert, our guide

A nice vacation

November 4-8, 2009 – Day 314-317 – Jaisalmer, India

Spent the last several days enjoying to slow, relaxing pace of this small desert town. Our days were lazy and uneventful. If you really, really want to know just what that means, here is an outline: breakfast, internet cafe, lunch, internet cafe, walking around town trying to choose a restaurant for dinner, dinner, going back to our hotel room to avoid the after-dark mosquito militia and playing cards or writing posts until we get sleepy.

That lunch we were talking about

A pistol sword–now that’s a great weapon

November 1-3, 2009 – Day 311-313 – Jodhpur, India

Well, it certainly does not feel like a typical November day for us. By now we would be happily welcoming the cool weather that comes just before a snowy winter. Instead, we are at the edge of the desert in a hot, dusty city enjoying “cold drinks!” as often as possible.

Huge Angry Cow always gets the right of way

Halloween at the Pushkar Camel Fair

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October 31, 2009 – Day 310 – Pushkar, India

Happy Halloween! We didn’t dress up or eat any candy but we did go to the famous camel fair in Pushkar!

A day at the fair

Something to talk about

October 27-29, 2009 – Day 306-308 – Jaipur, India

Passed 2 days in Jaipur readjusting to the real India after our pleasant sojourn in little Tibet. Funny how being out of India (let’s be honest, Mcleod really isn’t India at all) for a week can really throw you for a loop when you come back. It’s loud, dirty, irritating and overly complicated, the food is too spicy and can be difficult to find and everyone is yelling at you for something. But on the 29th we had a very lovely day exploring the beautiful Amber Fort and the Jaighur Fort.

The world according to Bootsy

Lazy bones

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October 24-26, 2009 – Day 303-305 – Mcleod ganj, India

Mcleod is a small village in upper Dharamsala that is the seat of the Tibetan government in exile. The Dalai Lama’s permanent home is here as well as the homes of many Tibetans living here in asylum. There are very few Indians (if there are 300 Tibetans, it looks as if there are only about 20 Indians) and everywhere you look there are Tibetan restaurants, Buddhist symbols, and plenty of smiling faces.

Easy life in Mcleod Ganj