Been a little while since my last post. Not much to report and not much enthusiasm at the moment. I thought that making it through Varanasi and the toxic waters there I was in the clear, but I ended up getting sick in Darjeeling. Horrible. Definitely was the one crying in the corner of the bathroom "I want my mommy!!!!" Thankfully I have made some great friends who were there to bring me lots of medication, chocolate, mango, toast and comfort. So, Sikkim was postponed a day.
However, before the dreaded sickness occurred we had some great times. Took a comedic ride to grade 4 (really was more of grade 3 I am told by my Kiwi friend....then again what do they know ;)) white water rafting in Darjeeling, complete with popped tire en route. Note: If you are coming to India expecting luxurious rides...prepare to pay or get prepared. All of our jeep rides so far have found a way to manage at least 12 people per jeep. Three up with the driver, four in the middle, four in the back. And of course there is always the occasional 2 on top. Along the way we passed many signs saying "it is always time for safety time" which was quite ironic considering that we were 3 people sitting on the top of the jeep inside the raft, 5 people jammed in the back of a jeep, me with only a wooden peg locking me in (which actually fell out so was replaced with a TWIG from the side of the road....sorry mummy... I survived). Oh and did I mention that one of our guides rode the rest of the way (after the tire was replaced using a rock as a jack) on the hood of the car holding onto a rope.....along high mountain paths with no guard rails........going at least 50 kmph ....with only a horn to warn people coming the opposite direction. Bermudian roads are going to be a tame after here. Another note, indicators here are not used for the traditional purpose of indicating a turn. No, here they are used to indicate to the person behind you when it is safe to pass....along with a casual hand out the window to warn if something is barreling around the corner. Ridiculous? Nah....this is India!
Anyways, white water rafting was lots of fun, especially making fun of our two 15 year old guides. One with his less enthusiastic commands of "fooorward", 'back foorward" and the occasional "hard forward". Always given in a monotone calm indian-accented voice. I think he caught on when we started mimicking him so he eventually jumped over and shouted "SWIMMING" with much more life. Great fun. Swallowed a bit too much water I reckon, though.....which is probably why I got sick. Ugh.
Have had tons of tea in Darjeeling, and the best momo's EVER! The kind little lady at the end of the street in Chowrasta with a little pull up bench in front of her stall. The ladies there making their chowmein buns with ketchup sauce, their paranthas (veg), and momo's. Handmade, these momos melt in your mouth. The woman could clearly see how delirious with happiness I was as she kept smiling and nodding at me eventually even telling me the ingredients. I WILL replicate these at home.
Finally made it to Pelling today after another packed jeep ride with me in the fetal position most of the way. Two days here and then Yuksom and then Gangtok. Come on mountains!!!!!!
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