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Tales of the Travelling Princess
What is all this nonsense that India is a difficult place to travel around? Ok, people stare. But this happens everywhere - the hair attracts attention. The pollution? Only experienced it in Delhi and it isn't really different from most other big cities.
People had me really worried about coming here. Nat and I argued over who would wear the money/colostomy bag but there hasn't been any need for it. Nobody has even attempted to feel my breasts which is actually quite disappointing (although a small child accidentally brushed against my bottom). Lots of people shout "Hello" and "What country you from?" but just an ordinary night in the Irish, to be honest.
We had two nights in Delhi which is definitely enough. We were in the Main Bazaar which is described as the dodgy area where naughty people hang about but we unfortunately didn't see any of them. Not quite sure if we missed something in Delhi but there isn't an awful lot to do. The cows do start to piss you off (if not on you) after a couple of hours.
We are now in Shimla, a hill station in the north (2200m), which is brilliant. Plenty to do if you're into trekking (surprisingly this is not for us) and some good places to eat. Don't recommend the tourist office bus tour. Golf courses, apple orchards and deer aren't really photo material for us. Had fun imagining I was back in the Alps though. Not the season for snow but believe it or not there are a couple of ski resorts.
Unsurprisingly, the town is quite hilly (Nat would say mountainous) and the climb to our hotel for the first night nearly broke Natalie. She was right about it being a dive and so today we left and opted for the YMCA. No cowboys or policemen to report but there are a few Indians around.
It is holiday time for Indian schools and so the town is packed with rich families (this is the Switzerland of India, apparently) buying all the tacky souvenirs and making the most of their camcorders and cameras. I have decided to start charging for any photos they take of me and Nat since yaks and horses charge, too.
We have met hardly any backpackers as they seem mostly to be in couples (although obviously desperate for conversation with someone outside their "bubble") and we have instead stuck to Indians who have been really helpful in answering all my questions about their education, health and political systems.
Yes, Natalie is desperate for some backpackers to talk to so that she doesn't have to listen to my s***. I'm also moaning about a broken knee and something stuck in my eye for 2 days but she tells me that I don't have anything serious. This comes from the girl who had food poisoning for 12 hours and thought she had dengue fever...
Best dash. Off for a pizza.
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