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Those of you who know me well will also know that I can break into a sweat as a Pavlovian reaction to the mild spices in a bottle of HP sauce - on certain curries, even at home where temperatures are sensible this reaction extends to the near need for a shirt change. Because of this I have been mocked a bit about my total exposure to Indian cuisine for up to six weeks including Sri Lanka which is to follow our stay here in India! Just to let you know I am surviving well despite the extreme temperatures which extend well into the evening. However, my first obsevation is that I now know why Indian labourers both here and in the UK wear a pashmina style scarf either around their heads or necks. These guys eat spiced food for breakfast lunch and dinner and as the temperatures here range from a mimimum of low 30's to a maximum fo low 50's it is an essential item of apparel to keep a dry brow. There has always been a question about my origins due to the ease at which I tan so maybe I have come home and need to join the club! Goodness knows what they smell like at the end of the day let alone at the end of a week!!
Jackie and I took our first train journey in India yesterday and prior to this we were warned that we would not avoid the use of a porter at our departure station. As we arrived, sure enough we were swarmed and for the equivelant of £2 we chose a guy (with pashmina on his head) who Jackie described as looking like Topol but a wizened version with sparse brown stained teeth from chewing tobacco or betel! We found out why his scarf was on his head. Our combined luggage excluding our ruck-sacks which we carried, weighs 45 kilos and the temperature was in the high 40's. One case went on his head and the other under his arm and he then proceeded to negotiate the station forecourt, an x-ray machine, two very long platforms and two staircases without a stop. At the end, and before he loaded us on the train he stopped and got a bottle of water at a kiosk which he nearly finished and then paused to offer me the bottle for a drink. After some thought I declined - but my thought is that maybe I should train on curry before my next bike challenge!!
We have both noticed whilst in India that nobody puts a bottle to their lips when they drink water probably due to the possible contamination of the bottle prior to sale. They have a knack of holding a 1 or 1.5 litre bottle about 3 inches from their lips and just pouring it down. Our train journey was about 7.5 hours and we had just bought some water from a street trader for the first time so decided to follow the trend - it's good that it was only water and evaporated very quickly in the heat as most of it finishes up down our front and in our laps!! With the toilets on Indian trains, especially when on the move, there could have been some questions.
India is a very interesting country and also very sad at times but should not be missed if you have a hankering. If you are considering a trip you should always have a 'back pocket' even if you are going all inclusive which we clearly are not! Local taxes on food and drink are not included on advertised prices and can amount to 20-25% on top. On top of that you need also to consider tips which need to be negotiated. Whilst on the subject of negotiations, when you purchase from traders, tuc-tuc, taxi or rikshaw drivers the price you first negotiate is not the end of the deal. There is always the last stand as the money changes hands!!
Happy days! Thanks to you all for following our trip, and for all your comments. We hope that you are well and look forward to seeing you all in a month or so.
- comments
Kate Had a good curry last night, bet it was nothing like what you are eating. X
Hollie Hi Jackie !! Looks like you're having an amazing time! Your adventures sound fantastic and I hope you both continue to have a safe and lovely time :). We miss you here at red hill ! Love Hollie xxx
Steve Sweat- what's that? Rain here last night one months worth in 6 hours! Too bad you missed the referendum it was so.....................tedious. We await results tomorrow. Sounds like you're having a great time in India. I'm sure you'll enjoy Sri Lanka too. Thanks for your blog. Really enjoyable to read.