First week in India. And the first time i've actually managed to sit down at a computer and finally start writing. So much has happened, its been absolutely mental so im going to write a few memorable points that happened in the last week.

Basically im too hungry to go into vast details..we were up at 4am hiking to a hindi temple this morning so sort of messed up when we ate and that. But enjoy, anyway...

The roads are actually insane. Every single driver swerves across lanes, fingers constantly on their horns. At Junctions, people pull out infront of each other, bumpers almost touching. There are three lanes painted on the road, but around five rows of traffic, constantly changing. Its absolute f***ing chaos, but oddly it seems to work really well. I can't believe i havn't witnessed an accident yet, but all the drivers are pretty alert. Definately organized chaos.

Poverty here is obviously unavoidable. Walking down streets foreigners are constantly hassled by locals, increased in more developed towns. Its extremely difficult to say no without a feeling of remorse or guilt everytime, especially when approached by young children rubbing there stomach gesturing to the mouth, or women carrying underfed infants. Its suggested to give bread to people who beg, but it isn't possible to do this to everyone on the street. I think this is the biggest 'culture shock', all the other differences have been somewhat an enjoyable experience.

All apart from the odd stomach pains. Jay got very ill over the last few days and felt like "football hooligans were inside his stomach kicking the walls in". Thankfully, after a day and some pills it turned to nothing more than a "young man cheering for his team at home".

We spent the last couple of days in a small village where meat, eggs and alcohol are banned. Visited a restaurant last night and our tourguide managed to sort us out some on the sly. "Mr james, your special tea is here". The waiter lay down a cup+saucer and a teapot full of beer so it was all good. As if beer is illegal!!! We got to this place by bus, and managed to convince the driver to let us sit on the bus on the way up here. There was nothing really to hold on to and we had to duck for the telephone wires/branches but it was worth it to wave at the locals shouting "NAMASTE" to see the either delighted or horrified look on their face. Women were usually the former.

I know this isn't much, but basically India is insane. But in a good way.
The food here is delicious, the people seem friendly (with an extremely strong incentive of cash,for which i don't blame them) and parts are pretty beautiful.
I do miss a thick medium rare sirloin but the veggie curries are just as good. More to come. x