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Archive for March, 2009

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Out of the Big Sewer

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

As I wrote before, I was not enamored with Agra.  I kept calling it Agar… isn’t that the stuff in a petri dish in which one grows mold or other cultures?  Fitting name as far as I am concerned.  The highlight of Agra was sitting above the Host Hotel enjoying a beer and watching the Taj through sunset.  Above the scum, we could enjoy the beauty of the architecture, watch the ever-present monkeys and watch the birds, most notably the pigeons controled by their young masters.  Unfortunately, my lasting images of Agra are of opium addicts, the most dangerous tuk-tuk rides of my life, the unbelievable stench of raw sewage and the little boy who walked to the edge of the wall above the hotel room, looked down at me with a scowl and proceeded to urinate towards me.  We left Agra as soon as possible on a train to New Delhi headed to Shimla in the north.

[read on]

Dust People

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

The first time I saw one, I was in Kampala, Uganda during my first walk around town.  She was sitting on the sidewalk breast feeding her infant.  It was difficult to determine the two different bodies.   Both were covered with dust and dirt and their tattered clothes were basically the same color as the dirt and dust on their skin.  I had never seen anyone so dirty except images of coal miners coming out of the mine.  I was quite freaked by how she looked and the fact that she was carrying a baby.  I turned and walked away as soon as I saw the wild look in her eyes.  Oh my!  I saw a few more in Kampala that same trip and I started thinking of them as the dust people.  They all looked just as dirty as the first one, their torn clothes were also the same dirt color and they always have the crazed look in their eyes and no shoes on their feet.

[read on]

Tiger Tales

Monday, March 23rd, 2009
The number one thing to see in India for me was tigers. India’s parks provide the best opportunity to see wild tigers in the world, but I was a bit skeptical. India’s government has been pumping up the census ... [Continue reading this entry]

The Big Taj

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
Now, I don't even know where tobegin.  The past two weeks in Rajasthan were fantastic.  We noticed a change yesterday arriving in Agra.  A new state and a new world as far as I can tell.  Rajasthan had its ups ... [Continue reading this entry]

Back on the Road

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009
Not getting to India has been nagging on me for a year.  So, I now have the opportunity and will take it.  I will be in India's north and maybe Nepal with a friend, Mr. X, March 3rd through April ... [Continue reading this entry]

License to Kill

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009
While taking a breather from Kenya, I should probably tell a few stories.  While in USA I screwed up and did not renew my international driver's license.  It's about the dumbest thing I have for travel given that AAA just ... [Continue reading this entry]