Hello from london

well India has been and gone, the last few days daisy and i had in manali we spent shopping and eating German Twsists (like a jubilee twist but with chocolate hazelnut and coconut we consdered it a bargain at only 80c but i think we had a few bargains too many!) we hung out a bit with our Gap rep and her children just talking and eating, she gave daisy and i each a present i got a lovely necklace made out of coines she thinks from Spiti.

saying goodbye to celia and phillipa was really sad, to have become so close to people and then to leave. hopefully ill see phillipa when she finsihes travlling and hopefully ill go and see celia next yaer in sydey. celia was like a best friend to me during the placement and we were both nearly in tears saying goodbye. the good thing about gap is that iv been able to meet such wonderful people and i hope form friendships that will last.

the overnight bus to delhi was not exactly teh same luxury as it had been to Chandigarh. daisy and i shared a double and along with our 4 bags were pretty much on top of one antoher the whole night. we actually did get quite a bit of sleep suprisginly. delhi was somewhat cooler than we expected but still as crowded as ever.

we decided the YMCA would be the best option as far as cost and location to stay at so after much arguments with touts we got there with my cleanly washed pack still 90% clean! we then went to the East west clinci to have my final rabies shot and then headed out to the MGM Emporium. I must admit as far as shopping malls go the INdians dont disapoint. after a very expensive cous cous salad and lemon ice tea for lunch in the turtle cafe we headed out to window shop. although we were not in the cleanest of states or wearing the cleanest or nicest clothes doors opened outiside of every shop for us including all the big name brands. i must admit had i been anywher else in the world i think that shops such as MAC might have turned me away before i even got in the door.

after a lot of window shopping we headed out toe the Nagar Market back to where we first bought our original Salwaar Kameze. we needed some decent clothes so decided on 2 Koulta (the long tops) each and then found ourselves in a shop selling converses. although we didnt need a pair each we decided that at only $15 for a pair of red high tops you cant by pass a bargain like that. so with our purses somewhat lighter we headed yet again back to Nirulas for icecream. i decided it was time to invest in a pair of Reeboks to shape up you could sya. and lose some of that extra chapatti and rice that had appeared overnight in various parts of my body.

the next day we went to see Humayans tomb which was amazing, the architecture of teh buildings from teh MOghals (i think) was increible, however we fell for the scam of some women sittin gon teh grass wanting us to take their picture. normally an indian who asks that is simply being friendly but these women wanted money so we quickly hurried off in the other direction. we went to the underground market in Conaught place that evening and somehow i ended up buying 10 seasons of friends plus a few more dvds. i dont even watch friends but daisy and the man seemed to convince me it was a worthwhile investment! we found ashop selling loads of classicsm everything form teh great escape to TO kill a Mockingbird. the store owner however wnted the ridiuclous price of $4.5 each (and i now regret it) so there was no way we were buying it.

the next day we ventrued out at 530 to the Delhi Train Station to go to Agra. now this particular train was not exactly what i had imagined we were going on . complete with a newspaper, bottles of water, tea and cofee, breakfast and a reclining chair it wasnt exactly how your avearge indian travels. we were bombareded by touts at the Train station and some man finally convinced us to tkae a day tour with him.

THe Taj Mahal was truly amaizng, exactly how i imagined it from far awaay but up close the details of teh floral inlay was amaazing! it really was quite sepectacular! the next stop was a mosque with some amazing paintings in gold all over teh celing. the baby taj mahal although not as grand as teh big one was still spectacular with all the inner walls covered in floral pictures. luckily there werent as many tourists at it so it was somewhat more peaceful.

lunch was at a restaurant that clearly all the rickshaw drivers had a deal going with but after refsuing to pay the price of the food the waiter whisprd to us he could do a special deal. in fact the thali was not wirht the $2 we paid for it.

we then went on a 'cultural tour' ie to all the shops that have the rickshaw drivers take their customers to in order to make more money. it was quite interestin gseeing the rugs made and the pieces of marbal with teh same floral inlays of teh taj. somehow daisy ended up buying a chess board and i ended up buying a ruby at a jewlry store to be made into a necklace.

the red fort from teh outside was amazing but due to wokr being down inside all but on eof the areas was closed. the view over agra was qutie spectacular though. finally our day drew to a close and we caught teh train back to delhi exhausted!

the next morning i had several arguments with teh guards out teh front of the airport because i wasnt allowed in because i didnt havea papper ticket. they clearly did not understand the concept of an E ticket and after much argument and me storming though barriers and much shouting after me i go tinto the terminal only to find i wasnt booked onto teh flight. 2 hrs later i was still waiting after the gates had closed and 15 mins before the flight leaves they rush me to the plane.

soo on the second of july i arrived in london completly exhausted but went out to a wonderful dinner with a family friend. i spent the next 2 days wandering around london, getting lost in Soho, seeing teh Tate Gallery, The tower of London, the market on Portabello road and yesterday we drove to Kent and stayed the night. i saw teh sea for the first time in 4 montsh and iv since had many serves of fish and chips.

well india was an amazing experince. and despite my placement not being that great i would still recoment GAP to anyone. the friendships you make not only with other gappers but also with villagers and teachers were amaizng. i now not only have family in Australia and the Uk but also in INdia, so anytinme i come back there iv been told not to stay in a hotel i need to 'come home' to one of teh 5 teachers houses.

so i decided to make a list of 10 things taht happened in INdia;

1. ONe dog bite

2. Two Lost/stolen credit cards

3. Three Childrens highschool educations paid for

4. Four Salwaar Kameze

5. Five teachers who call me part of their family

6. Six other Gappers who i can call close friends

7. Seven Hello to the Queens (hot banaana in a bowl topped with crusshed biscuits several scoops of vanilla icecream lathered in hot choc sauce and topped with cashews)

8. Eight Elephants spotted in teh wild

9. Nine people crammed into a 5 seater car teh size of a Getz

10 Ten Indian meals i can now cook

iv loved almost every minute of india despite the challenges along the way i can't wait to go back. but now im moving on to the next adventure of europe. all i need to do is to find a job and everyting will be fine

so thanks for readin gmy indian blog and im not sure if i should continue to do it in the UK..

well ltos lf love from alex