4 weeks are over, drove 5000km, crossed 7 states (Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal & Sikkim) and 2 union territories (Delhi & Chandigarh) and - most importantly - had an amazing time. Thanks to Rana for showing us the real India, even places tourists usually don't go to, and for letting us stay with his friends and family. Being part of an Indian family for a couple of days is what really helped me to understand the Indian culture a little better. During the trip I also remembered one thing my parents always told me when I was traveling with them during my childhood days: The destination isn't the journey but what you do to reach the destination is what your actual journey is... So true...
So this is where my blog is supposed to end? Na, I don't think so. India won't get rid of me that easily. South India is calling... somewhen...
Sonntag, 3. April 2011
Mittwoch, 30. März 2011
Cricket mania sweeps Chandigarh
India is going crazy today and we're just in the epicentre of craziness! The semi-final of this year's cricket world cup is taking place in Chandigarh (Mohali) today. India vs. Pakistan - the mother of all matches! Not only the teams are in the city, also the Prime Ministers of both countries are staying in Chandigarh. "Cricket without boundaries" - let's hope people do forget political issues for a day and enjoy the match.
return journey
Decided to spend one more day in Darjeeling before starting our return journey from there. Took a joy ride on the toy train and enjoyed the rather cool weather. Spent the next four days on the road, going "home" to Chandigarh via Muzaffarpur, Lucknow and Delhi. Were lucky to experience true Indian hospitality when we stayed at Rana's friends'. Homemade Indian food is simply the best! Were also taught yoga by one of the couples hosting us. Meditation can be sooo relaxing... Stopped in Delhi to get our shopping done - ethnic stuff was difficult to find in the East - and was more than surprised to bump into one of the AIESECers from Chandigarh in one of the world's biggest cities. Small, small world... Finally made it back to Chandigarh, "the city beautiful".
Mittwoch, 23. März 2011
Gangtok - Tea Estate
Sind seit gestern auf einer Teefarm mitten im Nirgendwo. Um uns herum nur Tee. Wahnsinn! Einer von Ranas Freunden ist bei der Indischen Armee nicht weit von hier stationiert. Er hat alles fuer uns organisiert: Uebernachtung in einem leerstehenden Bungalow, Decken, Essen und Angestellte, die fuer uns kochen und sich um das Anwesen kuemmern. Kostenlos. Ein wenig unangenehm ist es fuer Annika und mich schon, zu wissen, dass diese Leute nur fuer uns arbeiten. Vielleicht der erste kleine Kulturschock der Reise.
Since yesterday we've been staying on a tea estate in the middle of nowhere. (Don't even know the name of the place.) Around us there's nothing but tea. It's amazing. One of Rana's friends from the Indian army is posted in this area. He organized everything for us: Accommodation at a bungalow, blankets, food and servants who cook for us and take care of the house. Free of cost. To be honest, Annika and I feel a lil uncomfortable having servants working for us. First culture shock of the trip for me.
Since yesterday we've been staying on a tea estate in the middle of nowhere. (Don't even know the name of the place.) Around us there's nothing but tea. It's amazing. One of Rana's friends from the Indian army is posted in this area. He organized everything for us: Accommodation at a bungalow, blankets, food and servants who cook for us and take care of the house. Free of cost. To be honest, Annika and I feel a lil uncomfortable having servants working for us. First culture shock of the trip for me.
Kalimpong - Gangtok
Unser naechstes Ziel war Gangtok, die Hauptstadt Sikkims. Auslaendische Touristen brauchen ein inner line permit, um die Grenze zu ueberqueren. Von Gangtok aus sind es nur noch 60km bis zur chinesischen Grenze. Permit bekommen, Stempel im Pass ebenfalls. Die meiste Zeit in Gangtok auf "The Mall" verbracht. Alles ueberraschend sauber und westlich. Annikas Geburtstag mit einem guten Fruehstueck und zufaelligerweise deutscher Bundesliga im Fernsehen begonnen.
From Kalimpong we went to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Non-Indian tourists have to get an inner line permit at the border. Did not only get the permit (a simple piece of paper) but also got another stamp on our passports. Spent the afternoon and the night roaming around "The Mall" in Gangtok. Gangtok itself is surprisingly clean and western. Found a nice cafe to celebrate Annika's birthday with a continental breakfast and German Bundesliga shown on TV.
From Kalimpong we went to Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Non-Indian tourists have to get an inner line permit at the border. Did not only get the permit (a simple piece of paper) but also got another stamp on our passports. Spent the afternoon and the night roaming around "The Mall" in Gangtok. Gangtok itself is surprisingly clean and western. Found a nice cafe to celebrate Annika's birthday with a continental breakfast and German Bundesliga shown on TV.
Darjeeling - Kalimpong
Haben einen Tag in Darjeeling verbracht. An Holi sind wir nach Kalimpong zu Freunden von Rana gefahren. Eigentlich macht man nichts anderes als sich gegenseitig mit Farben und Wasser zu bewerfen. Leider geht die pinke Farbe nicht mehr ganz aus meinen Haaren raus...
Spent one day in Darjeeling roaming around the streets before pushing off to Kalimpong. Celebrated Holi with one of Rana's friends and his family. Celebrating Holi basically is all about throwing colors and water at other people. As it turned out those colors are not made for blondes... My hair is still pink...
Spent one day in Darjeeling roaming around the streets before pushing off to Kalimpong. Celebrated Holi with one of Rana's friends and his family. Celebrating Holi basically is all about throwing colors and water at other people. As it turned out those colors are not made for blondes... My hair is still pink...
Samstag, 19. März 2011
Bodh Gaya - Siliguri - Darjeeling
Haben Bihar, den am wenigsten entwickelten Bundesstaat Indiens durchquert. Die Armut sieht hier anders aus. (Fast schon idyllische) Lehmhuetten wie im Dschungelbuch statt der ueblichen Slums aus Muell und Plastik. Die Strassen sind weitgehend gut, Moeglichkeiten zum Anhalten (Restaurants oder Toiletten) gibt es keine. Spaet in der Nacht in Siliguri angekommen und nur mit Muehe noch eine Unterkunft gefunden, da alle Hotels dort um 9 schliessen. Den naechsten halben Tag in der Autowerkstatt verbracht, um die Klimaanlage reparieren zu lassen. Die letzten 100km hoch nach Darjeeling waren ein wenig abenteuerlich. Superschmale Serpentinen schlaengeln sich durch Teeplantagen, Doerfer und dem Himalayagebirge. Massarbeit, wenn ein Auto entgegenkommt. Dennoch, wir haben's geschafft! 2600km auf Indiens Strassen liegen hinter uns. Doch nun heisst es erstmal Entspannen und Tee trinken.
Crossed Bihar, the least developed state of India. And yes, it's true, poverty is everywhere, but it looks different from poverty in the north of India. In Bihar people live in small huts made of mud and straw. Compared to sheds made of garbage and plastics those mud huts look clean, neat and well-maintained. Don't get me wrong, I don't wanna create a romantic image of poverty, but the countryside really reminded me of "The Jungle Book". Even though the streets are surprisingly good in Bihar facilities such as sanitary arrangements or simply clean restaurants are very difficult to find. Made it to Siliguri late at night and were surprised to find that all hotels close at 9. Somehow found a place to stay and spend half of the next day at a car service station to get the AC repaired. The last 100km up to Darjeeling were breath-taking - not only because of the beautiful countryside (tea, tea, tea) but also because of the road conditions. My heart was beating twice as fast as usual whenever a car drove towards us and had to pass by. Every centimeter counts on the winding roads up to the Himalayas! 2600km on the roads of India are behind us. Time to relax and to enjoy Darjeeling!
Crossed Bihar, the least developed state of India. And yes, it's true, poverty is everywhere, but it looks different from poverty in the north of India. In Bihar people live in small huts made of mud and straw. Compared to sheds made of garbage and plastics those mud huts look clean, neat and well-maintained. Don't get me wrong, I don't wanna create a romantic image of poverty, but the countryside really reminded me of "The Jungle Book". Even though the streets are surprisingly good in Bihar facilities such as sanitary arrangements or simply clean restaurants are very difficult to find. Made it to Siliguri late at night and were surprised to find that all hotels close at 9. Somehow found a place to stay and spend half of the next day at a car service station to get the AC repaired. The last 100km up to Darjeeling were breath-taking - not only because of the beautiful countryside (tea, tea, tea) but also because of the road conditions. My heart was beating twice as fast as usual whenever a car drove towards us and had to pass by. Every centimeter counts on the winding roads up to the Himalayas! 2600km on the roads of India are behind us. Time to relax and to enjoy Darjeeling!
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