India

I am in India now and it has been...crazy. In the end, I can only laugh, otherwise, I'll have a misearable time beating myself up for being such a sucker and falling for what other people tell me and "suggest". It hasn't been easy traveling as a solo woman; there are hardly any women on the streets (if there are, they are just passing by) and all the people working outside- from cooks, to cleaning service- are all men. My natural distrust in men is really challenging me; it's hard when there are guys telling you that the other guy shouldn't be trusted, and they all seem so sweet and nice. Well, I guess that is how the first week goes..now I've become more assertive, and, sorry to say, but I can't find a better way to put it- I've become a bitch on the streets with touts (men on the streets trying to take you somewhere, rip you off, "help you out"). Does it sound like I've been ripped off? YES...



...but then I look around, and realize- man, you're in freakin India for goodness sakes, and I just smile. I spent two nights in the desert near Jaisalmer in Rajistan and I saw a bright red sunset - and even a moon set! I danced under a beautiful full moon last night. It's not been all so bad, but it has been a challenge to really do some self-talk and not let a small aspect of tourism get in the way of really enjoying this experience and opening up to genuinely good people. Here are some snippets of what I've observed and experienced-

In Delhi, there are numerous sexologist offices (Jeanette, you can find work here!) with big billboards.

Everyone on the street honks- to let you know- get out of the way, I'm passing through and I'm not stopping- not even for you, old lady and little kids.

I think I've gotten use to the smell of dirty bathrooms, or I've learned to not smell it. I thought this the other day when I went into a stall on the side of the road (basically a hole with stuff all over) - 'hm, I bet this bathroom must have smelled a lot worse four months ago when I started traveling...'

Sample of taxi driver questions: hello, how are you? Are you married? Do you have a boyfriend? How many brothers and sisters do you have? What do you do at home? How much does that pay? It's been fun making up stories- I say I have a fisherman boyfriend in Thailand and I'm just in India for two weeks.

Of course, I have not overlooked the poverty, the children, the lack education, but that deserves a more thoughtful, insightful entry than this choppy I'm-in-a-rush one. Above and below are pictures from the desert and the fort in Jaisalmer.