Adventure Around the World

On our whirlwind tour of Rajasthan in India, we realized that it was the first country where we could literally be entertained for hours just by looking out a car window, with the camera poised for all spur-of-the-moment photos. (Plus, with all the death defying driving - it seems to be an international theme - it was a bit hard to not be on the lookout!) You'll be happy to know that we succeeded in taking all of our "ideal" pictures, including a bus so crowded that 10 men rode in the roof rack, families of five riding single scooters, roadside barber stands, and cows roaming city streets. We took a zillion pictures of Jodphur, a city with all the buildings painted a light blue color and got a peek at Indian family life. But even with the fascinating world of everyday India outside the window, every 7 hour drive also means you'll be talking with each other, which is equally fascinating. Our driver, whom we called Guru (he didn't even attempt to tell us his full name) and who called us "maam" (names apparently weren't so important to him either), talked a lot about his life. (We've even got an invitation to his wedding next year, whenever his parents pick his bride.) We learned that, yes, he had once hit someone with his car, and that opium is quite prevalant in India - a truck driver offered some to us at a rest stop (not too many tourists there to say the least). Guru also suprised us in Pushkar by cutting his hair, which he had never cut before due to his religion. The turban came off and his stylish cut was his fascination for the rest fo the trip. And while he told us his father would probably not speak to him for the next 5 months, it was well worth it to look "smart" for the ladies. India blessed us both too, in our own special ways. Leslie, by one of the many local pigeons which had good aim, and Meridtih, by a roaming cow who left a present outside her car door. It brought new meaning to the word dirty.

So India ended much like our whole time there - we were feeling pretty dirty, in awe of the sights (the Taj Mahal really is more beautiful than in the pictures), and at the same time frustrated by the feeling of being scammed for money at every turn. India, while being a relatively inexpensive country, took our money. After 30 minutes of bargaining, we still spent 2-3 times more than other people on everything - point of development for us perhaps. After a small breakdown by Leslie ( I apologize to the postcard salesman somewhere out there), we enjoyed our last few days and headed off to Thailand. Indian food we will miss...

Marking somewhere near our halfway point for the entire trip, Thailand was a welcomed stop and we were all about the beaches. We spent the first 3 days in Bangkok visitng wats (Buddhist temples), a floating market outside the city, and seeing a Muai Thai match ( a cross between kickboxing and ultimate fighting). It was pretty interesting seeing 5'2" Thai men at 106 pounds kicking and punching each other, all the while thinking that I could take one of them down myself. This was until the round with the 160 pounders where with just 2 punches and kicks, one fighter was knocked out and carried off in a stretcher. Had we slept at all on the flight to Bangkok, it would have been more exhilerating, but we were fighting to keep our eyes open. (As a side note - we absolutely love Singapore Air, and not in an "I love ice cream" kind of a way, but much more deeply. Let's just say my United status got us into the lounge with food and drinks, and even coach class has movies, TV, and games on demand. Absolute English-speaking heaven and neither of us slept a wink for the overnight 8 hour flight).

So after the three days in Bangkok, we got tickets to Phuket, a island on the southwestern part of Thailand with a night-life very "active" in the red-light sense of the word. We got an amazing hotel room (a small luxury for the middle of the trip) and have spent our days on the beach, as well as on an organzed trip full of snorkeling, swimming, and visiting the nearby islands (where "The Beach" and "Tommorow Never Dies" were filmed). The relaxation was well needed, but I will admit that our bargaining skills have not improved, and we're spending way too much money here as well. Thai food has been alright (we're missing India in that respect) but Meridith has fallen in love with the watermelon shakes. Even after the escapade in Brazil, we have eaten a lot of the local fruit here and haven't been as cautious of the ice as we should be. But no problems to report on that front (that's something we do NOT miss about Indian food). So with our last day in Phuket, Leslie's planning on getting a 2 hour massage (so this will be ending shortly due to time constraints) and Meridith will be testing her bargaining skills (it promises to be a failure) and trying not to scratch her million and one mosquito bites. One more day at the markets in Bangkok (and getting Leslie's tailored suit) and off to Singapore. We're already excited for the flight - ahhh, movies on demand... (and about knowing someone in Singapore who can plan all our sight-seeing for us)!