Ardh mela and more misadventures
Sunday, January 21st, 2007When we last left off I was all fired up for a mission to the Ardh Mela, the biggest religious gathering in the world.. Well I started all fired up only to be a little shot down by the 100km train ride that took 9 hours, a interesting (read freezing) night in the park, and a bout of dysentery, yes folks this can all happen within the span of 24 hours, Ahh the lovely joys of travelling. Despite the cold and sickness the Mela was a sight to behold. Millions of pilgrims camped out awaiting the most auspiscious time to bathe in the Ganges, At day break we headed down to the bank, swathed in blankets sniffling, looking like some badly mistreated western refugees, I think we fit right in. Thousands of people took the plunge with more and more arriving by the bus load, With our health deterioating by the second, we made the move to get back to Varanasi.
I thought I was Little Miss Iron stomach, eating all the 15 rupee thali, and street food any Daba could throw my way, well I have been defeated. I am not little miss Iron stomach. I have been renamed little miss poopie pants, I would love to spare you all the details of this foray, but really it is quite funny that little “stomach problems” in addition to a head cold can lead to the demise of a week. I haven’t had Thali, or a beer in over a week now, good for the clarity of mind, but not so much for entertainment now that Nurse is on his way to Pakastin and Ninja Adam is wooing all the hoimies in London with his monkieness.
Saying so long to my travelling buddies from London, I find myself alone for the first time in weeks. A whole room to myself, I can tweak out everything I own and have it strewn about, I can dance in front of the mirror in my panties, and I can even read a book until 3am if I choose, sometime this solidarity thing has alot going for it. Not that I am really ever alone, I am making new friends every time I step out the door. I don’t like so much the tales I have to tell these lovely Indian people like my “husband” is waiting for me at the next town, or yes my four children are with their grandmother, Here in India I wouldn’t say you have to lie, but it does make life alot easier. I have a good story that I stick to and if I happen to have a man around he is my husband…
I am in Puri now, I made it to the Ocean, well the Bay of bengal to be exact. The air is salty, the fish is fresh and the town itself is Shanti (peaceful) I spent the day riding a old clunker of a bike around town, getting lost and wooing electric fix it men into repairing my water heater for free YAY Grrrl power!
Also I am happy I met a Pharmacist that actually has the cure for my dysentery. WHoopie, Thali and a beer even maybe in the not too distant future, Heading south to Chennai (madras) by the end of the week, I have 52 more days in India, got to make them count.
and for all my homies in Chicago who give one poo about them
Go Bears!!
don’t blow it..
love, hugs, and sunshiney days
jessica
jessica