10.4.2008 I'm an Indian Man I wrote this whilst waiting to board a plane from Varanasi to Mumbai on 1st April 2008, a tribute to men of India "I'm an Indian man, born into a family of many children. Although I was fortunate enough to go to school I didn't get very far. I was always more interested in playing cricket, throwing stones at birds, pulling cows' tails and beating up boys who dared talk to my younger sisters. I was always in the streets until I ...

10.4.2008 I have the s***s No journey to India can be complete without stomach cramps, regular runs to the toilet and sore arse, so in my last 10days this must be a blessing to send me off well to developed countries. Purification from all the toxins I may have accumulated. It all started a week ago but with my poor management i.e. weak control over food, it got worse rather than better. So tomorrow I'm on water only to flush this crazy think out. Anyhow, if ...

22.3.2008 Holi Festival When we set out for the trip in Rajasthan I had no idea we would be in the middle of the Holi festival, until I read the guide books. Holi (the festival of colours) is celebrated in North India, marking the climax of spring. There are bonfires the night before symbolising the end of winter and conquering of evil. People throw colours at each other and anything that goes past them. We have been warned about the festival by the locals wh...