India - day eight - Amber Fort

Today went to another castle called Amber Fort. Getting there was a nightmare! The guide book suggested taking a bus, but no bus has any English sign. I asked around but nobody knew what I was talking about. Later I found out it pronounced "Ameh". Arrrg. Anyway, I can't believe someone tricked me to get on a bus and went to a travel agency! Lucky some good souls eventually pointed me back to the right way. Today was so hot, I think I drank a whole litre of water without going to the washroom. I skipped lunch again becasue it was too hot.

The guide book says India is a place of contrast. I find it is true with people as well. I've met some very bad people. Yet I've met some very kind and good people. I've had people making way for me to seat because I'm traveling a longer way. I've had people provided genuine help to me.

I find people always look at me in a strange way, like looking at an odd looking animal or something. Maybe they don't see a lot of Asians here. It makes me feel uncomfortable.

I also find it strange that often the opening greeting phase is "Which country from?" I usually say China, so if they ask for money and stuff, I can pretend I don't understand.

India - day seven - Jaipur

Not much of a dessert here, just another city. But I met some good people along the way today. Without them I could have never able to get here. Its another chaotic city.

First time on a sleeper train. The space is so narrow, its almost like a prison cell. 3 beds on top of each other. They fold down to become sits. When your neighbor sit, you sit. When your neighbor sleep, you sleep. But some nice people showed me where to sleep and where to sit, and where to got off.

The hotel is the nicest so far. Such a big contrast from the street outside. It's like one of those Kowloon Tong houses!

On the way to walk around the city today, I met a Chinese, Lucy from Shanghai. It was nice to really talk to someone. She's very nice. She offered to take me to a rather less well known musuem. I've got much to learn from her. She's one girl traveling all over India. I'm complaining about things now, but she has been to places much dangerous, all on her own! When she talks to people, she talk like she has been here for a long time!

Another failed attempt to bargain. Never buy from the first shop you go into. This is exactly what I did!

India - day six - Fatahpur

Agra is the town where Taj Mahal is, and today is the last day I'm here. Went to a near-by city today called Fatahpur where an old palace is. It is surrounded by ruins. Other than the main castle, seems the entire city is built on top of the old ones, where ruins are coexisting with the new town. Where once were busy market, now desserted. Where once were nothing, now is full of people. For the first time in India, I was actually able to find a place where there were not one person! It was a ruin area behind the castle. I have not had this kind of peacefulness for a long time. The only thing lacking is fresh air.

Today had my first Indian bus experience. It was all the bad things everybody ever heard about. And I know it could be worst. There weren't Indian Karaoke at least. I have no idea how I'm gonna survive an upcoming 10 hr bus ride next week!! I hope I can get on an up class one.

I'm starting to get very tired of the word 'Hello' from the kids, it actually traslates to 'Can you give me some money' 70% of the time.

I think I'm getting used to the chaotic noises here. I find myself able to think about something else when all those noises are happening.

My room is a non-AC room where I could here all the people, cars, beeping noises plus the Islamic chanting from the loud speaker. But I'm surprised I'm able to get a decent sleep. Maybe I'm just too tired.

Tomorrow gonna catch a 6am train, and enter the dessert province of Rajasthan. I hope there will be ricksaws that early to take me to the train station.

India - day five - Tah Mahal

So that was it. I've been to Tah Mahal. Some people say they like iit up close, but I still like it more from afar. Its like a toy castle from some fairy tale. It doesn't look real, yet it is. I spent a whole hour starring at it from the hotel roof top. Today as I walked up close to it, it is really one giant marble. It is incredible.

Bumped in to a funeral preparation today. Didn't really get to see it happening, 'cause people started to come talk to me in language I don't understand. At one time some 10 teenagers surrounded me, not sure if they meant well or not, I figured it was best for me to leave. But I feel sad about it. Seems death is just nothing special. It almost seems like they were doing it on the street beside the river. Everybody just come and go. There were many body sized slots, with ashes on each one. Some still smoking. I really don't know what they are. And there was the body wrapped in colorful blanket, with dry woods on the side ready to be burnt.

I actually like a part of this town, despite some of the bad stuff. People seems to be nicer and more honest (relatively speaking) here. I like talking to the kids. They are more innocent and genuine. I compliment a kid at a crafting shop about his English and he seems thankful, in an uncomfortable way. Perhaps not many people complimented him before. But my compliment was truthful. And then I talked to Aksar at a ticket shop. His father was out, but he cared about his father's business so much, he kept asking me to wait: "2 minutes, 2 minutes"... He is such a good boy, at only age 11, seems he already understand so much...

I'm not a Japanese. Stop calling me a Japanese, and stop speaking Japanese to me :p

India - day Four - Tah Mahal

My first major Indian delay. Got up at 5am, trying to catch the 7am train. After a big rush, I got on the train successfully dispite the confusing cart numbering (It goes C3, C2, C1, D9, D8...). However the train stayed on the platform, so I started to read. After reading almost the entire history of India on my Lonely Planet book, the train finally started. However my heart dropped when my ricksaw driver told me the delay was because 5am today 2 trains collided because of a change rail mistake, he said 900 ppl died! I don't know if he was exagerating, I have yet to find out myself on the net... Life here is cheap, and suddenly I feel so humbled by it, the fact that I'm only 1 of the millions faces go across that railway everyday.

Just when my driver Arose driving me to the train station in Delhi, at 6am, we past through many row of blankets, scatered all around the side walks, the road dividers. It broke my heart when realizing that they are street people wrapped inside sleeping. They are not even sleeping under the overpass. How can so many people so ripped of their dignities. What have I done to deserve such good life and not them. I would not want to live if one day I'm in their shoes.

...

So this is it. Tah Mahal, I can't believe I'm actually here! My hotel is like 5 min walk from it and I can see it from the roof top! And its only like 10 US per nite! I'm gonna try to catch its sunrise view tomorrow! Not as much pollution here, a clear view from the roof top! And ppl do seem to be nicer here away from the city... I'm still very excited!

My stomach is acting up a bit after yesterday eating almost all the source of a half butter chicken, bad idea :( I'm letting lose too soon!

Next few days may not write any entries 'cause I need to pay for Internet here, and I need to conserve my cash, doesn't seem to have any atm here...

-------------------------------------

Sorry, I thk its this one, about the train accident:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Mewar-Goa-express-collide-near-Mathura-21-dead/articleshow/5143832.cms

21 dead.

Never trust anyone in India.

But still... I was so close...

Oregon

Just came back from coastal Oregon. I really didn't expect anything from this trip at first, in fact I wasn't sure if I really want to go until the last minute. Turns out it was full of wonderful surprises! 6 motorcycles head out to do the 101 hwy road trip along US coast, east of the sun, west of the moon.

After 700km and 1 speeding ticket (not mine) we arrived at Pacific City where we planned to stay for the night. Out of everyone surprises, we found a vacation house rental called Shorepine, 2 stories house, with plenty of room to fit all 7 of us, for only $200 a night! This place is like a paradise, right beside the long sandy beach, stretch out beyond the eye could see. It's so good we decided to go no longer and stay there to enjoy life for the next 2 days. The next day we decided to continue south to enjoy the beautiful roads and sceneries, just relax and enjoy life. Then head back to the beach and play more.

I met lots of new nice friends, this was an amazing trip.

Pictures!

to Korea

So I think my next trip will be Korea. It may not be the most exotic destination, but somehow I've always wanted to experience their culture. When I read up on the tour guide book, there really isn't one place that one must visit in Korea, but I really wanted to check out the DMZ, how one nation is divided, and take a peek at the mysterious North Korea, or even take a day guided tour there if possible. I think I'll spend a day in the prayer mountain, where lots of people have found revolution in their life there. There's an old fortress called Haemi in which many catholic missionaries got executed during 18th century. Of course there are also all the foodie goodies! There's the 300km/hr train that would be nice to try. Probably spend a day in a hot spring. Then probably spend a few days relaxing in the beautiful Jeju Do, where many movies took location.

I think the biggest challenge in this trip would be the language, especially outside Seoul. That's why I'm busying watching Korean lesson videos now. Amazingly someone uploaded a whole 60 series up to youtube. I'm up to lesson 13 now :)
http://www.youtube.com/user/ruthnp75

The flight ticket is much more expensive than before now! I hope I'll have enough money!