Last night I formally was the only white guy! Indians love to stare and we went to a Model & Air Crew party at a 5* Hotel courtesy of a friend here...I was the only white guy and that was a novelty for all the Indians! The place was amazing though and it was poolside so we lounged around until midnight on pool side beds listening to techno music....very conservative India!
Today, Emma and I visited a Cave Temple....not the usual boring Temple...this was amazing! The tunnels were about 3 feet high so I was stooped down crawling past ancient idols and things in a fit of Giggles because Emma said I looked like the people in Charlie & The Chocolate Factory where they go through that tiny door in the long corridor....it makes sense to me! Anyhow it was slightly rude to laugh in the temple but it was too funny!
We also found this amazing park and fell asleep whilst watching a crow drink water droplets from a sprinkler - what an amazing time I am having! Then it was off to Mocha...the best Coffee place in town for a Black Forest Gateaux Milkshake and a Massive Slice of Chocolate Cake mmmm!
Bye for now!
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
Monday, 25 February 2008
Mysore...
Yesterday we visited Mysore (a city about 140km north of Bangalore) on a tour bus that was bright pink and attracted too much attention.
Anyhow, we left the guest house at 6am which was bad enough and it was freezing...we stopped for breakfast (in my case just coffee as there were about 25 flies per person in this restau....no shit hole!).
On the way we popped into this little town where there was a 1000 year old Temple which I didn't go in...they're all the same and there was a sign where Tipu Sultan (someone the English killed) was found dead. Exciting stuff.
Our first stop in Mysore was the Maharajah's Palace which is amazing, it's so luxurious and perfect inside but it was built by a English architect. You're not allowed footwear in any of these places so we had to walk across the boiling hot paving to the palace....so much so that all of our feet got burnt and Emma even lost some skin eugh!
After this we went for Lunch again at a well decorated and great upstanding establishement....I wish!
In the afternoon we visited an amazing Church, Chamundy Hill (which has another Temple on - I didn't go in, but instead fed monkeys and cows bananas) and then in the evening visited some gardens with fountains and ate some amazing popcorn which was spiced.
We got back at 1am and then I was up at 7am to go to school...yey!
I'm off to some swish Mocha place for Dinner but before that we've planned a trip to a Temple....I think I'll go in this one...maybe..... :)
Anyhow, we left the guest house at 6am which was bad enough and it was freezing...we stopped for breakfast (in my case just coffee as there were about 25 flies per person in this restau....no shit hole!).
On the way we popped into this little town where there was a 1000 year old Temple which I didn't go in...they're all the same and there was a sign where Tipu Sultan (someone the English killed) was found dead. Exciting stuff.
Our first stop in Mysore was the Maharajah's Palace which is amazing, it's so luxurious and perfect inside but it was built by a English architect. You're not allowed footwear in any of these places so we had to walk across the boiling hot paving to the palace....so much so that all of our feet got burnt and Emma even lost some skin eugh!
After this we went for Lunch again at a well decorated and great upstanding establishement....I wish!
In the afternoon we visited an amazing Church, Chamundy Hill (which has another Temple on - I didn't go in, but instead fed monkeys and cows bananas) and then in the evening visited some gardens with fountains and ate some amazing popcorn which was spiced.
We got back at 1am and then I was up at 7am to go to school...yey!
I'm off to some swish Mocha place for Dinner but before that we've planned a trip to a Temple....I think I'll go in this one...maybe..... :)
Friday, 22 February 2008
City Update...
Bangalore is officially the worst city I have ever visited for traffic add to this the extreme charges from rickshaw drivers and their inability to drive you to the destination you want and it's all about right!
We had a driver today who thought it was a great idea to add a few KM's to the journey by weaving us through the side streets - when we complained he pulled over and demanded an extra 20rs (about 10p!) we argued and he got angry so we paid and ran away!
The pollution is just as bad too and I have had to duck for cover from clouds of dust as well as wipe my forehead to get rid of a horrible orange dust that settles on me each day.
A few other nit picks...are street children who don't understand the word "No" and one child who thought he could just hang of my knee....wtf :)
Finally the fruits, flowers and everything else about the city are amazing....I'm having a great time :)
We had a driver today who thought it was a great idea to add a few KM's to the journey by weaving us through the side streets - when we complained he pulled over and demanded an extra 20rs (about 10p!) we argued and he got angry so we paid and ran away!
The pollution is just as bad too and I have had to duck for cover from clouds of dust as well as wipe my forehead to get rid of a horrible orange dust that settles on me each day.
A few other nit picks...are street children who don't understand the word "No" and one child who thought he could just hang of my knee....wtf :)
Finally the fruits, flowers and everything else about the city are amazing....I'm having a great time :)
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
School Time...
Second day of school today and I'm really getting the grasp of the sign language they use here - even if it is that literal that flapping your hands means bird, butterfly and any other flying thing and making a circle means Dosa (a bread pancake thing mmm), drawing and circle!
The kids are all great and I'm teaching a 10 year old class, there are only 10 of them and Harasha one of the little boys is very clever - he has also taught me lots of sign language so now they can keep telling me they're hungry and that I can go home etc.
I've made some great friends with other volunteers here - Emma who is from Cambridge (and also sat next to me now) and Niysha from Sydney who came shopping with us both today on Commercial Street to buy Pashminas and stuff for my headache :)
Tonight we had Pizza for tea, very Indian indeed and Chocolate Cake to follow. We had Cookies at lunch and it's so nice once in a while to have some western food or a taste that you recognise - otherwise it's just tiny small Indian Bananas and lot's of Dhal.
Another blog post soon, but I'm nearly 6 hours ahead here so we need to go and buy fruit before the sellers go home (it's 20:15 here!).
Comments welcome and finally I got on Facebook :)
The kids are all great and I'm teaching a 10 year old class, there are only 10 of them and Harasha one of the little boys is very clever - he has also taught me lots of sign language so now they can keep telling me they're hungry and that I can go home etc.
I've made some great friends with other volunteers here - Emma who is from Cambridge (and also sat next to me now) and Niysha from Sydney who came shopping with us both today on Commercial Street to buy Pashminas and stuff for my headache :)
Tonight we had Pizza for tea, very Indian indeed and Chocolate Cake to follow. We had Cookies at lunch and it's so nice once in a while to have some western food or a taste that you recognise - otherwise it's just tiny small Indian Bananas and lot's of Dhal.
Another blog post soon, but I'm nearly 6 hours ahead here so we need to go and buy fruit before the sellers go home (it's 20:15 here!).
Comments welcome and finally I got on Facebook :)
Monday, 18 February 2008
I'm here...
Hello from Bangalore...
I just arrived and today I met the other volunteers and the two people who are going to look after us all - Asha & Meera; they're both amazing people and Asha has a lovely house where she serves good coffee...unlike the coffee you'll hear about at a later date!
We had lunch at AJ International Hotel which was a nice introduction to the food I'll be eating for the next few months but it all tasted great and much like Singapore...they sure love to feed you.
Anyhow, the weather here is too hot (Yes I know I am always cold!) but the pollution in Bangalore city stops you from burning so I am slowly fading to a more tanned colour.
More updates soon!
I just arrived and today I met the other volunteers and the two people who are going to look after us all - Asha & Meera; they're both amazing people and Asha has a lovely house where she serves good coffee...unlike the coffee you'll hear about at a later date!
We had lunch at AJ International Hotel which was a nice introduction to the food I'll be eating for the next few months but it all tasted great and much like Singapore...they sure love to feed you.
Anyhow, the weather here is too hot (Yes I know I am always cold!) but the pollution in Bangalore city stops you from burning so I am slowly fading to a more tanned colour.
More updates soon!
Sunday, 10 February 2008
150 Hours...
Not long now, just '150 hours' until I board the plane to Dubai, then Bangalore.
I've started packing finally...well I say I've started I've actually grouped a few items like shampoo (again courtesy of Mum!), picked a few tee's out and started to group a few pairs of socks etc - so nothing too much really.
Aside from me, Emma left for her travels this morning (3am) and she popped round last night to see me, that was a little weird - as I know now that in 6 days I'll too be leaving just like she did but it'll be amazing I'm sure and I bet she's loving it already...no doubt she'll keep us updated on her blog here.
Right, I think they'll be 1 more update before Saturday and then they'll be posted all the way from India, bye!
I've started packing finally...well I say I've started I've actually grouped a few items like shampoo (again courtesy of Mum!), picked a few tee's out and started to group a few pairs of socks etc - so nothing too much really.
Aside from me, Emma left for her travels this morning (3am) and she popped round last night to see me, that was a little weird - as I know now that in 6 days I'll too be leaving just like she did but it'll be amazing I'm sure and I bet she's loving it already...no doubt she'll keep us updated on her blog here.
Right, I think they'll be 1 more update before Saturday and then they'll be posted all the way from India, bye!
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Rucksack Attack!
My brand new rucksack arrived today courtesy of Mum :) - It's a 65 liter Regatta Survivor so it's built for the job and has loads of pockets/space etc which will be useful I agree...but how on earth I am meant to cram my 10 weeks worth of stuff into a space not much bigger than 2 pillows I am not sure!
Anyhow, packing hasn't really been started just yet and I've not really thought about all the smaller items either - saying that I know I've got a few essentials to pick up soon and I'm sure it'll all come together in a flurry of panic a few hours before I need to leave.
Another update soon!
Anyhow, packing hasn't really been started just yet and I've not really thought about all the smaller items either - saying that I know I've got a few essentials to pick up soon and I'm sure it'll all come together in a flurry of panic a few hours before I need to leave.
Another update soon!
Saturday, 2 February 2008
Post Departure - 14 Days...
14 Days to go...that's just two weeks!
I've got so much on at the moment that it feels a little weird that I'm going to be gone for so long in such a short period of time. I've got my Visa, Teaching Placement and all my Vaccinations sorted so it's just packing it all up into my rucksack and that's it!
This is going to be the place I'll keep you all posted on, so bookmark me and hopefully you'll all be able to keep a good eye on this blog to see where I am and what I've been doing.
Bye!
I've got so much on at the moment that it feels a little weird that I'm going to be gone for so long in such a short period of time. I've got my Visa, Teaching Placement and all my Vaccinations sorted so it's just packing it all up into my rucksack and that's it!
This is going to be the place I'll keep you all posted on, so bookmark me and hopefully you'll all be able to keep a good eye on this blog to see where I am and what I've been doing.
Bye!
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