Without a plan

Days in which the whole plan made thus far is to meet up with friends that are coming always turn out interesting, in the sense that once you meet up, there is no more plan. Yesterday was one of those days. Shawn's friends took an overnight bus from Mumbai and got to Goa in the morning. After having some breakfast (one of them wanted tostop by a tattoo parlor to make an appointment for later in the week, don't worry I didn't get a tattoo...) Shawn asked about this famous church that is suposed to be famous. But driving around for a good 45min (on the other side of the road) we can upon some church (not the one Shawn talked of), but after all that riding (not as bad as the camel) we took a brake and walked around for a while. Some of the other guys went back to sleep, and then the rest of us went to a seaside market (reminds me of Santa Monica Pier), but has a great view of some beaches. This was followed by some good roadside food (mac it was a gyro that was almost as good as Germany) and then going to this fort to watch the sunset. All told we drove over 100km (no I'm not going to convert it) yesterday, but I loved riding on the scooter if you can imagine me driving with Shawn on the back. Following the sunset we went back to the hotel to freshen up (thier words not mine) and then met on the beach for some food and drinks, that ended up lasting till 2 in the morning. Today was already jam packed. The guys wanted to do water sports and so that is what we did in the couple of hours before Shawn and mines flight. For those who are confused by the term water sports, it is almost everything you can do in the ocean that is not swiming. We got a package deal where we did jet skiing, parasailing, bumper ride (kind of like when you pull an airmatress behind a boat), and banana boat ride and all before breakfast. The best was the bumper ride, I was cracking up the whole time (don't ask why). Once we were done it was shoving a breakfast down (along with a morning beer) and high tailing it to the airport (which was an hour away from our hotel) to catch a flight to Mumbai. Here now, going to get some food and then see where the night takes us.

Picture count: 1037 (finally broke the century mark!)

Life's a beach

Mornings in which you know the day will be spent on the beach enjoying the sun always start slow and end fast. True to the word of yesterday Shawn and I got a scooter to ride around on for today and tomorrow. Shawn immediately told me that it would be my job to navigate it (yes the dyslexic one) in a country that drives on the other (wrong) side of the road (Brits!). Needless to say, there were a few mishaps at the begining of the adventure, but no crashes thank goodness. We needed to get some petrol, as the scooter was on empty, and Shawn and I finally found someone to show us where to get some (as gas stations are few and far between and you buy gas from households who sell it out of liter bottles that once contained water). I go zooming off with the guy to get gas and Shawn stays behind (thankfully I put some money in my swimsuit pocket or else I would have had none), but when we got back a few minutes later Shawn was gone. Some minutes later (after a near crash on my part) I find Shawn and we go off to another part of Goa, less crowded (but later we find full of hippies). Once you get used to driving on the other side of the road, it is not bad and it almost becomes like a ride at Disneyland or a videogame only a gameover is death (haha). Got to the beach and it was beatuful. Swam around, drank some coconuts, had a margarita, and got hasseled by all the people trying to sell things. After some lunch it was back to the hotel and then off to the local fort. As Europe is with Cathedrals so is India with forts and palaces. The fort was nothing special, but the views of Goa and the bay were spectacular. Following this was another trip down to the beach by our hotel to watch the sunset and drink a couple of beers. I also got a crab dinner for $5 (just to rub it in). Tonight we are going to go look for some young people as Goa so far has been a little on the grey side (if you know what I mean) it's like Flordia here. Tomorrow some of Shawn's friends come from Bombay and the partying begins.

Picture count: 996 (it was a beach of a day)

The road to Goa

It was only a matter of time until it happened, but who knew it would be an American favorite. Since arriving in India, I have expected to have some stomach issues adjusting to the food. With that said, six days in and the old stomach was taking it like a champ, when behold the one lazy night we order Pizza Hut (yeah I know, most American thing you can do while in India) and the next day I have a tummy ache (who would have guessed). Spent most of yesterday just hanging out nursing the stomach and resting, but in the evening Shawn and I went to the fort in Jaipur (not as cool as in Jodhpur, but still nice) and they had converted one whole wing of it into the India version of Starbucks (hahah), much like the Starbcuks in the Forbidden Palace in China. After that we went to this place that Shawn's cousin (of all people) said was the best place to go in Jaipur. We didn't really know what it was till we got there and the best way to describe it would be a themed restraunt, the theme you ask, traditional Rajasthani (which is the state in which Jaipur is in). So there was lots of traditional dancing and singing. I of course participated in all of it making me look like the biggest tourist of all (not like I care). The food was good and I got to wear a turben and was adorned with a tikki (the red dot on the forehead). Shawn got a video on me dancing and the only way to describe it would be that it's like watching children cry. When we got back we watched Obama's inaugeration (yawn) and went to bed. Today was going to Goa (tropical state to the south). Most of the day was consumed with travel (yeah no flights crashing), but Shawn and I managed to get down to the beach and have a couple of $1 (yeah thats right, jealous Ray) beers before watching the sunset. It is nice and hot here, bought a bathing suit for tomorrow as Shawn and I are going to rent a scooter (motorized) and ride around the coast, maybe even some jetskiing. More to follow, wish you were here.

Picture count: 968 (almost to 1000!)

The pink city

For those non-Indian people reading this that would be Jaipur that I am speaking of. Shawn and I had to get up at 5:00 (yes you read that correctly) 5 this morning to get to the train that took us to Jaipur. Needless to say, I went right back to sleep once we got on the train and didn't wake up till we were almost there. The train was late (on don't know how that happened considering it is on a track) and so by the time we got to our hotel and had some lunch it was 2:00 (oh and Shawn took a half hour stroll to find an atm that was supposed to take five minutes and I almost that I was going to have to call the police and report a missing persons report). Shawn needed to do some house cleaning today with his job ( and seeing as he has been here before) I took off to see the city (yes by myself). I went to the city palace (very nice) where the ruler and one time had the idea for the pink city (and yes it really is pink). Then I went to the water palace, which is out on this lake, a very beautiful site. Now this is where the trip goes downhill. The rickshaw I took saw me coming from a mile away becuase I find myself in a textile factory (along with about ten other white people) being sold fabric at dicount prices and being asked if I want a suit or carpets or bed shams (the list goes on). Excusing myself ever so politely, I finally get back to the hotel and end up spending the most we have spent on a cad ride yet (which is still really cheap if you think in dollars). Today I find out what would happen to me if Shawn wasn't with me (thanks lucky stars and worries about the two days alone in Delhi). Tomorrow more fun and adventures await.

Picture count: 918 (travel day).

Nathaniel of India

Today we went to the fort here (bright and early) which was really cool. Lots of nice colored glass windows and you could see all of Jodhpur (blue city), which is really blue. After this Shawn and I went to go on a camel (no not like cigs) ride in the desert. That's right, ultimate tourist thing to do and I got Shawn to go along with me. Needless to say, I know that all of you may think that camels are the fastest form of transportation, but there not. They move quit slow actually (not seeing how Lawerence did anything in Arabia, hence the title). We had a hour and a half ride to this remote house, where we had lunch and chilled for a bit and then rode back. Now I'm not saying that the camel seat was uncomfertable, but after a couple of hours on the back of that animal and you bum hurts like nobodies business. Plus the saddle hits in your man parts and that seems to be sore as well (ah the prices you pay for tourism). The other funny thing of today was trying to find sunscreen (of which I forgot to bring). You see Indian people don't need sunscreen and thus they never buy it, so the only bottle we could find was like two years old (yes most likely useless), but its seemed to do the trick. Tomorrow it is off to a new city and more lovely forts.

Picture Count: 891 (moving up there)

Sleep Train

For the third day in Delhi Shawn and I went to India Gate (a giant arch in the middle of the city) and we walked there (which in Delhi is a feat in and of itself). After this we stumbeled around for a while trying to find the national museum (of which everyone told us different directions) but we finally found it and went inside. Needless to say it was a nicely run government museum (and list one thing that governments do well), but there we some nice exhibits and this really cool one on Faberche (I have no idea how to spell this but it's the Russian egg thing). Following this we went to this really cool market that has food from all over India and a bunch of stalls with craft wares. This was soon to be replaced by hookha smoking (oh yeah) where they run the hookha smoke through redbull instead of water (very interesting taste). Our train was not until 10:30 so we had time to kill and were gonig to see a movie, but no times worked so we ended up in the swanky mall kiloling time (much like everyday of high school). Finally it was time for the overnight train to Jodhpur. Never been on an overnight train before and it does take some time to get used to the constant moving back and forth but when I woke up we were in Jodhpur. Got to the hotel (no easy feat) and are staying in the Golden Hut room (interpret that as you will), there are mirrors on the cieling. Today we went to a local palace and then hung around a market (lazy day I know) but we are both trying to get over colds and have been going non-stop since I got to Delhi. Really exciting day tomorrow, but you will have to wait and find out on the next post. Goodnight , and good luck!

The whitest Indian

Sorry for not writing in a couple of days, but our hotel does not have internet and there is not really and internet cafe right around the corner. OK with that said lots of stuff to post and trying to condense it a bit. Last day of Ireland went to see St. Patrick cathedral (no there was no Irish car bombs there) and then went to an exhibit on yeats (most famous Irish poet), went to the national museum and then it was time to head back ot hostel and catch plane to London and then on to Delhi. The flight to Delhi was not crowded at all (and yet) I still got the gu who reclines his seat the whole time in front of me and a drunk guy behind me that snored the whole flight. Still got some sleep on the plane and then was served breakfast before the flight landed. Here is where the story takes a horrible turn for the worse. All thoes flights I have been on with people throwing up anf finally it was my turn (yes I know). In my defense it was not motion sickness it was food poisioning (at least I think it was) becuase I got sick right after I ate this egg dish (like immediately). The only saving grave was that I was able to make it to the bath room (though there was this grandma in there who had forgotten to lock the door) and had to wait a bit. Needless to say, threwup, did not stink up flight, felt better, going to sue Vrgin Atlantic for loads of money. Got to Inida, Shawn was there we got to our hotel, I took a shower and then we just went exploring around the hotel, me trying to get used to the hussle and bussle of India. That night we went over to his cousins house for a drink and ended up staying the night (glad we paid for a hotel). Yeah they are like hella rich so we got to drink nice wine and got this giant meal 9of which I am still full from). Plus they stay up until like 2 in the morning (with their baby) and with me not getting really much sleep on the plnae, Shawn and I both slept in. Yesterday, went to the red fort (really kind of more like a palace) and then to this market place before heading to Univeristy of Delhi and then to one of Shawn's friends houses (where we were again served a gaint meal). So far in India i haven't had to pay for dinner. Since this post is getting quit long I am going ot save today's activities for tomorrow, or in a day when I can next get to a computer or Shawn and I stay at a place with Wifi. For now I bid you goodbye.

Picture Count: 825
P.S. Mom I got your bengals.

Inida and other adventures

I am not going to do a long post today, but tomorrow I will fill all you in on whats been going on. I made it to India and found Shawn. All is right with the world.

Last hoorah

Dublin has been a great city (very happy I saved it till the end of the Ireland leg of this journey). Yesterday I got to go to one of my meccas (the Guinness Storehouse), which is a really good tour in my opinion. You end the tour up in the gravity bar (a 360 degree view of the city) and it was beautiful and sunny yesterday as well (also you get a "complementary" Guinness to help you enjoy the view). After this I took a stroll in Pheonix Park (at least three times bigger then Central park and the biggest city park in Europe). After this it was time to go to the Jameson distillery (which after the Guinness storehouse was kind of a let down), but I got a free Jameson so that smoothed things over a bit I guess. Following this was the Christ church (biggest cathedral in Ireland) and I tried to get into the National Museum and St. Cathedral (yeah like that St. Patrick), but sadly both were closed (boohoo). Got back to the hostel and everyone in my room (strangely enough we are all flying out of Dublin airport to London today, but all at different times) decided that we need to have a room party to celebrate us all leaving. We went to this Irish Bar that had a traditional band playing and then had Irish Dancing (yes like Lord of the Dance). Very good way to end the Ireland part of the trip. We ended the night by singing Wild Rover with the entire bar (which included a blow-up doll curtesy of a bachelor party). Deffinetly met the best people so far here in Dublin and it was nice to go out a drink with them. Today it is a little more site seeing and then off to the airport bound for India. Shawn you better be at the airport or I am going to die (not literally), but yes literally.

Picture Count: 760 (just as a gauge to put this in perspective I took 600 pictures in Europe (14 days), 450 pictures in Brazil (3 weeks), 700 pictures in New York (7 days). I just attribute that to the fact that New York is so iconic that everything you have to take pictures of.)

Knocking on wood list (doing as I write all these):
-Haven't been robbed
-Haven't been lost (horribly)
-Haven't not had a place to stay
-Haven't had to take a cab
-Haven't been rained on (like pouring rain)

Something like rain

Well the best thing about free tours is that they are free. It was a three hour tour that went around to all the sites in Dublin and the tour guide was very knowledable. Saw Dublin castle (not really a castle), the gardens, old Norman homes etc. I went with some people from my hostel, plus as I said the tour guide was really cool. So it started to rain half way through the tour and then got really bad near the end of it. So after we high tailed it over to the national gallery (to get out of the rain) and hung out there for a while (finally stopped raining). Then the next best thing to do when its getting dark is to go to a pub (with your tour guide) and have a couple of pints (plus Manchester United was playing Chelsea, MU won!). At the first pub I asked the bar tender what the best beer was and he said Beamish (so thats what I had) and the other thing is that it is made in the brewery I tried to tour and he said it isn't giving tours anymore becuase Heineken bought it and is closing it down and they are no longer to make Beamish (so I drank a dying beer). The other pub we went to had the biggest selection of beers you can imagine (with lots of Irish micro brews), very much up my alley (for Mac and the Brazil trip guys they had Brama and it was like $7 haha). After this went back to the hostel and just chilled. Today going to the Guinness store house and the old Jameson distillery. Only today and then tomorrow it is off to England and India (that just hit me). Look out Shawn, I'm on my way.

Picture Count: 692 (forgot to include this in original post)