Pictures-

I've got lots of amazing pictures to share with everyone, and they're coming I promise. Not like the empty picture promises I made in Guatemala either. The computer I'm using doesn't seem to be interested in uploading pictures right now, but I'll try again in a few days when were back in Delhi. Until then, Beth was lucky enough to grab a working computer, and she's posted some pictures on her blog, a few of which even feature me.

erica

Free Tibet!

Hello World.

Since we left off (I believe) I left Delhi for Amritsar, which is the Sikh holy city to the north. We had quite the train ride with new pal James (ex-Englishmen, current Boulder resident) and found ourselves in another packed and hectic city, this one with slightly more Sikhs. Amritsar is the home of the golden temple, which is a bit like the Vatican only more Sikh. And more golden I suppose. Anyway, the golden temple provides free dormitories and meals for visitors, so we stayed inside of the temple complex where the atmosphere what actually quite calm. On our first day there we ate in the temple, and after we ate one of the volunteers that keeps the place running insisted that we come see their brand new chapatti making machine. They were all very excited about said machine, so we took lots of pictures and made lots of oohs and ahhs, and planned on heading down to catch our first glimpse of the temple itself. Before we had the chance to break away, we were whisked up a flight of stairs and we found ourselves on a roof overlooking the temple and it's surrounding holy lake at sunset. Breathtaking. Both Beth and I started to cry, which we couldn't explain very well to our tour guides, and many a picture was taken.

After a few nights in Amritsar we hopped a bus for Diramsala (a slightly painful 8 hour ride), and it's adjoining village McLeod Ganj, where we're staying now. We only planned to stay for one night, but tonight will be our third here. I love it here. McLeod Gang is the residence of H.H. the Dali Lama, and the rest of the exiled Tibetan government. It's more of a village than anything, and it's more Tibetan than Indian. The food is amazing, and the views of the Himalayas are unbelievable, even for a Boulderite such as myself. This place is what Boulder wishes it was like. Lots of ex-pat hippies and Buddhist monks walking the streets. I'm just excited to be out of the crowds. We visited the temple complex where the Dali Lama lives today, and I learned quite a bit about the current situation in Tibet, as well as the history of the conflict in a museum that's been set up there. Warning- when I get home I may be sporting that classic Boulderite mark - the Free Tibet bumper sticker.

Next we're headed back to Delhi for a day, then on the Rajastan. Very exciting!

erica

Boycott Delta

India is crazy. It's so many things. I could write a list. It's crowded and busy and loud and polluted and beautiful and stressful and amazing. I'm still adjusting- it's going to take a while.

Getting here was such a nightmare from beginning to end. The trip ended up looking like this- Denver-Atlanta-New York-Hamburg-Dubai-Delhi. By the time we got to Delhi, it felt like we'd been gone for weeks. Delta is the worst. Our first flight was delayed, and when they rebooked us for a different flight because we weren't going to make our connection to New York, they put us on a flight that was scheduled to land after the New York to Dubai flight was set to take off. I would think they would check for things like that, but I guess I would be wrong. Luckily, we noticed. They ended up pushing us back a day, so we ended up leaving on the 23rd. If only that was the worst of it. Apparently when Delta canceled our bookings for the 22nd, they forgot to rebook us for any of the international flights on the 23rd. Thanks. The New York-Dubai flight we were supposed to be on was full, so we had to take a later flight that stopped in Germany, and took much longer. Because of that we didn't get to leave the airport in Dubai because we didn't have long enough. Luckily we have another long layover there on the way back, so hopefully I'll get my fill of indoor ski slopes and seven star hotels then. On top of all that, every Delta employee we came into contact with was a jerk. Maybe if they had been trained in any way they would enjoy their jobs a little more and they might be in a better mood. Just something to think about, Delta.

When we got to Delhi, our bags didn't. This didn't come as much of a surprise after everything else. It was still a huge jam up though. To my shock and delight, we both got them back today at the hotel. Such a relief. I had resigned myself to never seeing it again. Item I was most excited to see again- polar bear pajama pants.

As I said, India is amazing. We're staying in the middle of a bazaar, so there's been a lot of walking and looking at stalls and carts and a little shopping. I'm trying to save that part until the last few days of the trip, but it's hard when everything here is so cool. I want one of everything for sale on the street. Maybe it's me roots in Boulder, but I love the clothes, bags and art I see here. I love it all.

The food is delicious. The chai is delicious. There's a lot of it.

Beth has a blog also, so you can read all about our Indian adventures from her perspective at http://Beth-india.blogspot.com

I've got a digital camera this time so I'll be posting pictures soon. I miss everyone. Send me some email and let me know how things are at home.

-erica