India 2005!

mind your own business!

2006-01-21T09:00:00.000-08:00

Neeta and I are both back in Toronto. I got a bit of food poisoning the last few days and have just recovered woohoo!! One thing I really wanted to let you guys know about traveling in India is people in India do not believe in the unstated rule of North American life which is to: Mind your own business!!

In North America if somebody is in line ahead of you and they are arguing with the person selling a ticket- well you might look at your shoes, or the sky or your watch- but never would you walk up to the person ahead of you- stand beside them with your shoulders touching- practically cheek to cheek and listen to the conversation and then join in adding your two cents!!

In India this is normal and not unexpected- at any time someone can stand beside you- very close to you- and join your conversation with someone else!
The rule of life in India is to mind everyone else's business!! This is a good rule!! (sometimes). We enjoyed listening to many peoples conversations! By the end of the trip, I was one of those people who would walk up to a random stranger ahead of me in line, stand shoulder to shoulder and listen to their conversation! They never seemed to mind (I think).

Tip: If you're in trouble
If you're ever in trouble and start talking loudly a crowd will surround you- people will be in your business in a flash! They will join in to whatever is happening, they will not ignore you! This is a good thing, it kept us feeling pretty safe.

I'm coming home soon!

2006-01-13T07:20:00.000-08:00

thanx to everyone who has read & posted comments on the blog. I will be arriving back in Toronto on January 18th! I am leaving New Delhi tonight and will be on the road until I get to Mumbai on January 17th..I will try to upload a few more pics and interesting tid bits...Bye for now, my midnight bus to Jaipur leaves in a couple of hours and I need to pack and get ready. The bus ride is only 6 hours! I will be taking a bus from Jaipur to Mumbai on January 15th and it will be longggggggggggggggggggggggg! It will probably take 18 hours! ahhhhhhhh.....oh well. It will be the last long journey in India until next year.

India has the most vegetarians in the world!!

2006-01-13T07:03:00.000-08:00

For those of you who are vegetarians or like vegetarian food, then India is the place to be! India has the highest percentage of vegetarians in the world! Since I am a vegetarian, I am really really happy about that! I discovered the best vegetarian corner in Delhi. Bangla corner, it has 6 restaurants and they are all vegetarian! Can you believe that! I don't think there are 6 veg restaurants in Toronto! For most of you this probably doesn't seem like a big deal. Trust me it is! I have been struggling all my life to find good veg food! India has it everywhere! They always give you the option of veg or non-veg on trains & flights! Ok, here are some pics of my favourite restaurant in Delhi! They even have an assortment of egg free desserts!

how products get from place to place!!

2006-01-12T10:49:00.000-08:00

While I was sitting on a bicycle rickshaw in a traffic jam trying to get to Old Delhi, I realized how paper, books, pipes ect. get transported across the city! Bicycle rickshaws deliver them!! What a hard, hard job!

Response to Tina's comments!

2006-01-12T10:43:00.000-08:00

Tina, I have to say that it sounds like you have been detained by female border agents! If so, I have never heard that story!! Do tell! Thanks for the tip! I have asked around and it seems like the local Indians agree with you! So ladies, never cry if you are questioned by a female officer. According to Tina and others this will make the situation worse!

Lahore Pics

2006-01-12T01:11:00.000-08:00

Border Crossing - India to Pakistan!!

2006-01-12T01:06:00.000-08:00

Lahore Rocks!!

2006-01-11T02:16:00.000-08:00

Many of you know Tariq! He is a ex Torontian who is now living in Lahore. I went to visit him last Friday and just got back to New Delhi yesterday. There is only one authorized land crossing between India and Pakistan and it is located in Amritsar, Punjab. I got to the border 15 minutes before it was supposed to close. The border agent told me I was to late and I would have to come back the next day. I didn't know what to do! I had spent the entire day traveling and to be rejected and that point was to much for me to handle! I started crying and couldn't stop..Once the border agent saw the tears he had a change of heart and said that I could go if I ran. I never cried in public before! I couldn't believe that my tears had that effect on him! I was so happy! Tip for the ladies..If you are ever in a bind, think about crying..It might just work. Especially in South Asia! I ran from India to Pakistan..I never imagined running through customs of both countries but I did it! I was exhausted and tired but thrilled that I made it to the other side!

Every day since 1947 when the two countries were created an elaborate show is performed by the soldiers on both sides to signify the closing of the border. We watched the closing of the border. The flexibility of the soldiers is unbelievable. They can kick their legs over their heads and still look graceful!

I am having problems uploading the pics but they should be uploaded by tomorrow!

Two week update!

2006-01-11T02:07:00.000-08:00

I have not updated the blog in a while..Lata has gone back to Toronto and I went to Lahore Pakistan...We have not updated due to lack of internet access..really sucky! When Lata and I were planning our trip I dreamed of all the exciting places that we could spend new years..I thought maybe Goa! or Mumbai, Delhi, Jaisalmer...We couldn't decide because we were not sure of our plans..I knew that which ever city we choose we would have sooooooooooooo much fun dancing the night away..when new years hit we were visiting my grandmother in Gujarat...not that it wasn't fun but it wasn't how i had imagined spending new years! i stayed away till 12 and we cracked open a 200ml bottle of 7UP and wished each other a happy new year!! by 12:05 I was sleeping like a baby..next year i hope all of my friends can come and celebrate new years in goa!

Everybody is a Entrepreneur!

2005-12-22T12:23:00.000-08:00

The following pictures represent a variety of entrepreneurs that can be found in India!! It is amazing to see so many people running their own businesses! The pictures are of bicycle & auto rickshaw drivers, fruit vendors, watch repair guys & food shops!

Dying Clothes - Streets of Delhi

2005-12-22T12:10:00.000-08:00

Do you have a favourite shirt or skirt that fits so well? Are you tired of the colour? Do you want that old favourite to be new & different?

All you have to do is take your clothes to this guy! He will dye your old clothes to a new amazing colour! Sweet! There are shops all over India which can also perform the same service! All for the incredible price of 30 Rupees ($1).

2005-12-22T00:24:00.000-08:00

Neeta and Lata drinking chai and lemon-ginger-honey tea

Jama Masjid Mosque- largest in India

2005-12-21T23:41:00.000-08:00

Jama Masjid
Location: Old Delhi
Built By: Shah Jahan
Built Between: 1644-1656
Significance : Described as the most beautiful mosque in India

Mohammad Ali Shah started the construction of this splendid mosque in 1640 but his wife Begum Malika Jahan finally completed it after his death. It is the country's largest mosque, built in 1656, where 25 thousand Muslims offer prayers.

The great mosque of Old Delhi is both the largest in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees.

Built in yellow sandstone, it combines the best of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture, standing on 260 pillars supporting 15 domes at varying elevations.

People of other religions are not allowed in between 12-30-2-00pm. One is allowed to enter the mosque bare-footed, head covered and wearing lungi, - these are the norms visitors have to follow

Cool, Funky, Crazy Artwork!

2005-12-21T23:27:00.000-08:00

Yes, in the depths of backpackers alley you can find some crazy and funky artwork. Not sure where the artist came from but they are intersting pictures! These pics are located in the restaurant in our hotel! It has a 24 hour internet cafe and restaurant! The hotel has a good mix of foreigners and Indians. I would recommend it to those of you visiting New Delhi and want to experience a backpackers life in India!

Crazy Locks!

2005-12-21T23:22:00.000-08:00

These are they types of locks that are used to lock many, many doors in India! These pictures are of our hotel room!

Santa Clause discovers India!

2005-12-21T23:17:00.000-08:00

Yes it is true, sad but true! Santa Clause has invaded the malls of India! The kid in the picture doesn't seem to be impressed! We have become a global world!

Pictures - Manufacturing Jackets

2005-12-21T23:06:00.000-08:00

A lot of the manufacturing of textiles in India is still very much grassroots. Many companies have small factories that produce textiles! These are the guys at work!

December 22 - New Delhi (Day 16)

2005-12-21T22:44:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everybody who is reading and posting comments on the blog. I get excited every time I see a new comment! The last 7 comments were posted by my nephew, Neil! He is only 17 but already he is an amazing writer! Your aunties are proud! We love you! Thanks, for adding some humuor to our blog!

We will be leaving Delhi tomorrow and heading to Jodhpur for a couple of days. I will be glad to leave, I need a change! Unfortunately, due to our late planning there are no train seats available! We will be taking a overnight bus, which takes 12 hours..It will be cold and bumpy! I keep reminding Lata that it is part of the adventure. As long as we have our blankets we should be ok. (I hope!)! The bus costs 250 Rupees ($6.75 Cnd), the train cost 750 Rupees ($20.27) and a flight costs 5500 Rupees ($148).. Based on these prices and the lack of available train seats, the bus it is!

November, December and January are peak tourist months in India. If you want to book train tickets you better do it in advance. Otherwise like us you will have to suffer traveling hours and hours on the bus. These buses are not greyhound! No bathroom and they seem really, really old!

Later, Neeta

Survival Tip #1 - Indian Style!

2005-12-19T21:49:00.000-08:00

For those of you who would like to take the plunge and backpack through India like us! Here is a tip that Lata and I would like to share to make life easier on the road!!

How to cross the road....doesn't sound hard but trust us this is a critical part of getting around insanely busy streets, which have no street lights, traffic is moving in all directions with cars, rishshaws, motorcycles, bicycles, trucks, buses, dogs, cows and people!

There have been many times that we thought our lives were in jeopardy!! Last year I was in Jodhpur and wanted to go to a famous ice cream shop! I had read and heard so much about it and I could see it but i never got there :( why??? it was across the street!! i didn't know how to cross the street and missed out on all the yummy treats. That's why we are writing this tip, to help those of you that might one day be in the same situation...

Here we go...Crossing the Street in India

Always, always, always find people that are crossing the street. this is not difficult in india due to the 1 billion people that live here! there are people on every corner, just wait a couple of minutes and they will show up..no fear of ever being alone :)

spot that person or preferably a group of people..not foreigners! this is soooooooooo important! otherwise they might get you killed!!! i'm not kidding!
so now you have spotted your unsuspecting indian guide.
stand so close that they wonder who the hell you are!
imitate their every move..i'm not kidding (again)
they take a step, you step, they run, you run, they stop, you stop..please always imitate every move!

please be willing to give up all of your independence! we are trying to save your life!

we will be providing more survival tips in the upcoming weeks..stay tuned..lata & neeta

December 19, 2005 - New Delhi

2005-12-19T05:07:00.000-08:00

hello!

lata and i want to wish nimi a happy belated birthday!!!! i hope that you had a great day. we will celebrate when we come to winterlude in february.

lata and i are still in new delhi..all i have to say is i love south india, i love the weather and the beaches. our new hotel is much nicer! no more ants, cleaner sheets but not 100% clean and a much improved bathroom.

i realized today why lata was always freezing when she took a bath..it is because she was bathing using a bucket instead of the shower! i have to say the bucket method is much slower. today was her first shower in india! go lata!

lata returns

2005-12-18T08:35:00.000-08:00

hi everyone! yes, I have returned to new delhi to join neeta for more adventures in north india. I spent the last 8 days in rishikesh at a retreat. i stayed at an ashram, which was simple and nice. there were about 180 other people at the retreat as well.

rishikesh is an amazing place but it's freezing in the mornings and evenings (there is no indoor heating- so i basically slept with a hat, gloves, sweater (over my pajamas), socks and a scarf! I also had two wool blankets over me. i hated taking a bath, because being naked in that freezing indoor temperature was just so darned uncomfortable - i did though- most days at least (-:

the ashram is right on the bank of the ganges (ganga) and the view of that plus the himalayas was breathtaking. unfortunately no pics, my backpack was stuffed and i couldn't take the camera. rishikesh is only about 5 hours from delhi by train, so the ride there and back was pretty easy.

upon returning from the ashram i found that neeta was being very budget conscious and had downgraded our hotel room inorder to save 200 hundred rupees ($6). i was appalled by the bathroom situation, so the next day we found a new place, luckily for only 400 rupees ($12) which is way nicer and has this 24 hour cafe with web access on the first floor- so there should be more blog updates from us.

over and out for now! hope you guys are having a good december!
lata- sunday dec.18th 9:30 pm

December 16, 2005 - New Delhi

2005-12-15T22:10:00.000-08:00

Some of you have been asking about my exam. I wrote the CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) exam in New Delhi on Saturday December 10. I was supposed to write it in Toronto but since Lata and I were coming to India I was luckily able to change my test centre. The exam was hard and long. I found it difficult to tell how I did. I prayed. I hope that helped! I will find out the results in late January.

Lata is coming back to New Delhi tomorrow! We are looking for products to import into Canada and I am excited for her return. It is hard work but hopefully it will pay off in the summer of 2007. You guys have to come and visit us at Harbourfront!

I am off for another day of adventures! I will update it this evening when I have some more exciting news to share..

December 15, 2005 - New Delhi - Pictures

2005-12-14T11:33:00.000-08:00

here are some pictures that i thought were interesting. the picture of the internet cafe is where i am sitting now...

December 15, 2005 - New Delhi

2005-12-14T10:47:00.000-08:00

I am going to try and update the blog on a regular basis. (I know I said that last year but I will really try hard). I am staying in an area called Pargangh in New Delhi. It is close to New Delhi train station and you will find mostly backpackers looking for cheap accomadations. The cost of the room that I am currently staying in costs 300 Rupees a night, which translates to about $8.00 Canadian dollars. Let's just say you get what you pay for, for those that require clean sheets, flushing toilets and the absence of tiny ants this would not be the place for you..but I never thought it could be a place for me either! There is hope! For those of you that require more of the comforts of home, India has hotels that range from $8.00-$1000. Depends on your budget!

India is a land of extremes from poverty that would make you cry to wealth and luxury that I could never imagine! It is also a place that celebrates diversity. The Indian government recognizes Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Buddist religions by having national holidays that represent significance for each religion. I think there are 24 national holidays each year! Sweet! I love time off. Indian people seem so relaxed and seem to have more time for their families and friends but they work generally 6 days a week and 12 hours a day! I never feel like I have enought time to do anything in Canada! Maybe it is just me.. I haven't figured out why they are more relaxed. Maybe the weather? If anybody has any theories on this, please post a comment..

I have pictures of Connaught Place which is one of the fancy areas of Delhi. You can find Benetton, Pizza Hut, Rolex ect...Any high end shopping can be done here..My favourite places are Jain Book Store, Pizza Hut and the yummy sweet potatoes you can buy on the streets.
I also have pictures of Paragangh, which is the exact opposite of Connaught Place!

December 14, 2005 - New Delhi India

2005-12-13T22:56:00.000-08:00

Hello!

Lata and I arrived in New Delhi on Monday night at midnight..since we spent most of the night packing we slept for about 14 of the 16 hours on the plane. We only woke up to eat!