Smokin da Tailpipe
Well…Bhopal was more like bo-HELL!! We arrived, it was raining, everything stunk and it was so polluted we felt like we were smokin da tailpipe of a 1950’s bus!! we got a hotel room and hibernated in it. Lisa was just about ready to give up on India….
We got up in the morning, got charged for our included breakfast (typical), and headed out of Bhopal with our bandana’s over our mouths. We took the train for about 5 hours to a town called Jhansi. From Jhansi we caught a tempo, which is a bigger rickshaw, and rode about 40 minutes to a town called Orchha. Our entire view of India changed.
Orchha was a wonderful. It is a small town, that has not been ruined by tourist. No one ran up to us and tried to sell us stuff, no one hassled us, it was wonderful. The children on the street all yelled out hello and ran up to shake our hand. They were all so cute. We spent two days exploring the old palaces and castles of Orchha with the village children. One boy unlocked a temple for us and led us up narrow stairwells to a roof with a wonderful view, complete with wild monkeys and parrots. He asked us all sorts of questions about America, the most memorable being “how many tennis courts are there in USA?”. Another boy led us through feilds of mud to a bunch of temples, along the way he called every animal a monkey, including the bats inside the temples that really freaked Lisa out. Like we wrote above, the people in Orchha really changed how we feel about India.
From Orchha we hopped on an awful bus ride to a town called Khajuraho, also a sleepy village. This place is a little more touristy, so we have to deal with all the hussle, but in between it all we are meeting some great people. Todd had befriended the owner of the restaurant next door to our hotel. He has invited him to help in his kitchen and learn Indian cooking.
Khajuraho is well known for it massive temples from around 900 A.D. The temples have outrageous sculptures all around them (see attached photos… hopefully).
This connection is to slow…. more to come later!!!
Tags: Travel
Lisa and Todd-Blogmasters
Not sure if you get your regular email, since you haven’t answered me, so I thought I would post this here too. We have a new postdoc who is from India. Her name is Sharmilla Raman. She has given me her father’s name and address. He is a retired professor. She says that she is sure you could stay with him if you like, as they have plenty of space. She is going to email him about you. She says you should definitely try to make contact with him. She also has a relative in Bangalore and will be getting some more addresses for me.
Here is her father’s contact info. I have no idea where this is (somewhere outside of Mumbai about 3 hours away I think) :
Dr. Siva Raman
111 Anand Park
Aundh, Pune 4111088
Maharashtra
Tel: 91-20-25886626
Love,
Dad
If you attached pics, I don’t think they loaded…
Your first India entry had me more nervous than a turkey in November, but this one sounded much better. I am so jealous of your monkey interactions. Lisa, bats are cute little insect killers! They are your friends in Malaria-land! Toddie, get workin’ in that kitchen. I expect feasts laden with Garam Masala and gluten free Naan when you get back to the states! OOOOH! I am starting to have Sari and Bindi filled fantasies–“Monsoon Wedding Part 2–Bollywood comes to Nanjamoy!
Your unemployment sounds so much more exciting than mine. I watched ten episodes of Rugrats last night and ate a peanut butter and Fluff sandwich…
Love you lots,
Jen
It sounds like you two are having some kind of wild adventure. I’m jealous! The photos didn’t show up on the blog, so make sure to get some new ones up. We’re living vicariously through you both. I hope Todd’s feet haven’t scared you out of this marriage, Lisa. Surely there is an ancient secret lotion that will clean those nasty things. Surely there is, Lisa, surely.
Lisa and Todd!
We’re waiting for the Indian food treat – yes, bhindi, sag, etc etc. Do we need to eat with our right hands? Have you gone native enough to be “using your left hand??” Looking forward to photos.
Will you be going to Dharamsala? We have friends there – our Tibetan ex-nanny connections would fare you well. They seem to live in Toronto, Charlottesville, and Dharamsala, go figure.
Love,
Us
I am sooooo very glad to hear that you’ll are alive and well. Was really starting to get worried. What excitement and adventure you both are having! The WOLFPACK won their 1st game to Eastern Kentucky. Next week comes UNC…sorry Todd, I will not be pulling for Carolina. Our tailgating group is planning a brunch and after we beat Carolina, we are planning a fine dining feast!!!!
Take care. Unllike Judy and David, I do not know anyone or have any conections in India! The mainland is still full of Bush, Katrina and Iraq.
Glad to hear all is safe…seems like it was a bit of a culture shock to go from staying with friends to getting into the wild of India but, I know you both can handle it and from what you said, it seems like you both are recovering well.
That toilet in India sounds a lot like some of the apartments that I have been looking at in NYC! 🙂 We are going to be moving soon, will keep you posted and can’t wait to hear about the next set if bats, rickshaws and crazy cuisine!
much love,
Amy & Nick
Wow! I haven’t been keeping up with your travels. Now I know who to go to when I want to know where to go and where not to go in India. Thanks for the fabulous postings. Happy Birthday Lisa-I know it’s not yet. Much love and I’m glad you’re safe.