PINOY BOY JOURNALS: travel notes india

Showing posts with label travel notes india. Show all posts

It feels different to be traveling in Rajastan. It's like a different India out here. The people are less manic, and the streets become larger but less noisy. It was an eventful train ride from Varanasi to Jaipur, and all 17 hours of it. I got the last seat in a sleeper non-AC and i thought this is going to be tough. Surprisingly, it's the most comfortable journey I've had in India. They call it the killer trip because it's a long ride, and lots of thieves. Good thing, Medical students from Okinawa, a French hippie and a couple of Indian veterinarians kept me company. I dozed off after 15 minutes.

I arrived in Jaipur, and it feels like Mexico for a bit. The colorful temples, and the vibe is definitely different than in Delhi, Agra or Varanasi. I see a lot of monkeys roaming in the city and shopping is a serious addiction here. I went to key places because i have very little time and find myself enjoying the streets leading to Hawa Mahal or the Palace of the Winds. It's so beautiful.

The next day, i woke up feeling much better. I am staying at a really beautiful guesthouse called Pearl Palace Hotel off Ajmer Road. It's my most expensive accommodation at 800 Rp. but it's well worth it and the extra nice Peacock Restaurant serves excellent food.

I walked and walked for a bit and decided i needed to explore Jaipur without any help. I went to Jaipur Central park and sang my heart out. Nobody can understand me anyway. I left painted with great memories of Jaipur.

Little did i know that my most adventurous journey would be on my way to Delhi via bus. I booked for a bus because i still have one more day. My flight leaves for Bangkok at 11:35. We left Jaipur at 2. On the bus, i had the most unforgettable experience of my life that i want to share with everyone in detail. I find myself in tears, not because i am leaving but because i had the biggest realization of my life. I gave all the food that i bought for the trip and i've never been happy seeing the little Indian man smile. I will never forget the people i've met on the bus.

Because, without saying anything, i found the answers i was looking for. And writing this, brings back memories and i am in tears again.

Life is unfair but for someone like me, what can i do. I know for sure, they will never forget me. And my memories of Jaipur are etched in my backpack which they used as a seat for the ten hour journey. How can i discount the fact that in Manila, i am taking things for granted but back there, everything is of the essence.

I arrived in Indira Gandhi International Airport and i missed my flight. I booked another airline called Kingfisher, leaving two hours after.

I will never forget India. And i know she will never forget me. I still have a lifetime to go back again and again.

It's been a long journey from Delhi to here. I slept in a three bunk sleeper bed, and i had to bend to drink water. Wow! Good thing, some peeps from the train kept me company. I have to tell you about my bunk mate who was so intense, a few minutes after, he was meditating and motionless. He was piercing me and i wouldn't be surprised if he knew what i was thinking. I always say, that people from India look at you at a very special way. When they look at you, you know you will be remembered. Good thing, my timing is perfect. There's a festival here, and i have seen tradition to the core and to the full. When i say there's lots of people here, is a major understatement. I am right here in Varanasi where i've always wanted to go. I am in the holy city of Varanasi and i think my time here is done. I've talked to many people from here, and slowly i am getting the answers i was looking for.

A wise man from India said to me last night while we sat in front of his house that i don't listen. I need to listen first, then think, feel and then i could open my mouth. Such wise words from a man who hasn't even gone to high school. His friend, who's a brilliant story teller, told me his fictional story of Kuri Kora. I am not even sure if the spelling is great but i've been eating the snack everyday. I don't understand half of his story but i knew there is talent in this man.

But one thing i will never forget is that he said to me. Your feet should be the head, the head should be the feet and the feelings/ the heart in the air. He must have sensed how ridiculously hard to understand what he said. He said to me, we've become part of the future and the change, we are left not knowing how it is to be happy and simple.

In Varanasi, the streets become narrow and i lost my money in things that i've always wanted to do. I am at a shitty internet shop in Kisha Guesthouse, directly in front of my room is the temple where they burn bodies. I woke up at around 4AM (i don't have a watch and my cellphone is useless - charging is impossible here) and i've seen smoke coming out of the temple, while the fireworks are carefully laid out one by one. I knew i wouldn't take photos. Imagine if one of your loved ones died, would you want a outsider taking photos? I am ashamed of those tourists who snap a photo for the sake. I went around and always find myself making a gesture before i take any photos.

I have to tell you that as days pass by, i am slowly becoming a part of the world here. Before, people always confuse me for somebody else. Now, people look at me and just smile. This morning i meditated in front of the biggest ghat. I have so many photos, but i am saving my battery for when i go on my next trip somewhere. Last night, i had the weirdest drinking session with three babbas and my good ol' Indian friend. They had whiskey and they were smoking joint, while i drink my Kingfisher (Extra strong at 650 ml), of course. I've spent money on unnecessary things and a lot of people are cons here, too. Yet, i felt i knew this would happen and i let it happen anyway.

Today, i'm quite unsure if i should stay here longer or it's time to move to Rajastan. My job here is done. Oh, by the way, don't tell my mother. I shaved my head today. It was a magical moment that i've always wanted to do. I shaved my head because i had to sacrifice. I want to wash away all my sins. And i knew leaving my hair near the steps of the holy river would somehow cleanse me of my troubles. I had also been blessed by a high priest and chanted words i could not understand. It's a blessing that i owe to my family. I threw a garland in the Ganga river and i left with a promise that i will be back better. I hope my simple feat, they would understand.

I miss home but i am looking forward to more exciting journeys here in India. I am changing and re-born.

Believe me when i say that everything you've heard about India is probably true. I am now in New Delhi and i cannot explain how tantric this city is. The minute i stepped outside the airport, i was already smoking with an Indian police. It's been almost three days that i am roaming around in New Delhi and i actually love it.

It's cold out here, about 12-15 degrees in the morning and at night. The pollution is just awful and i think i stepped on cow poop. I have so many photos i can't wait to share with everyone.

Everyday seems a new learning experience for me which i would like to share with you guys when i properly blog about India. A change of plan happened and i already went to Taj Mahal yesterday. I had goosebumps as soon as i walked leading towards the gate. It's like heaven, really. I've never seen a more beautiful palace in my entire life. And dare i say, India is probably the most beautiful country i've seen so far.

I've been only here a few days, but my experiences riding the butt-numbing bus, the spiritual driver i hired for a day tour and the many Israeli friends i've met have become part already of my journey. At the Taj Mahal, i felt sad knowing i could have enjoyed this amazing place with the people i love the most. I guess, in this lifetime, my job is to share it with them first.

I've been drinking Kingfisher Strong 650ml non-stop and i love it. I have a clock here and i am a bit confused what time really is. I don't have a watch nor a guide book. I ask people around where to go, and luckily i've had incredible suggestions which i might follow. This is why i don't like making plans, because if i did, my story would have been different.

I am riding the train to Varanasi tonight 18:45. I will arrive there by half past seven in the morning the next day. I am mentally, physically and spiritually prepared. I've been waiting my whole life for this moment. And i think, it's time for me to be born again.

When i have the time, i want to share with you the most unexpected but most heartfelt advice i've ever received from new Indian friend, Suraj. He said, we are all selfish. We only think of ourselves. He left the note that right at this very moment, God has paved away to bring happiness and answers to one person. I knew this would happen. To give back his kindness, i gave him my ultimate Pinoy Boy advice. He liked the Japanese girl at my back. I gave him my 1000 Yen bill and told him to ask the girl if she knows where she can exchange the bill. ha ha ha It didn't go out the way it's planned but it's fun.

The reason why people who go to India never forget the place, is not because of Taj Mahal (It's beautiful and all) and the temples but the people you see on the streets, the people you talk to... They pierce your hearts with their eyes. They see you, honest, truthful, and patient. I can never lie.