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Delhi

Aino kirjottaapi..
Aliisa ja Saara halus viela menna shoppailemaan, paatin kuitenkin itse uhrata aikaa ulkomaailmaan yhteydessa olemiseen, eli nettiin.
Kaikki on siis hyvin taalla. Oltiin buukattu junaliput Ajmerista (ensin pitaa menna bussilla Pushkarista Ajmeriin) Delhiin jo Diulla. Diun nettikahvilan isanta Husein diilas meille junaliput, jotka oli meidan mielesta epailyttavan kalliit. Husein selitti hinnan silla, etta tama junavaunu on todella hieno, missaan halvemmissa vaunuissa ei ollu enaa paikkoja. No, paastiin junaan mutta ei se nyt mitenkaan erityisen hieno ollu, melkeen Suomen vanhojen pikajunien veroinen. Junamatkan alussa huomattiin, etta ihmisille jaettiin vesipulloja. Meilla oli jo tietenkin omat pullot, mutta laitettiin ne akkia piiloon jos mekin saatais vetta. No, saatiin vesipullot ja oltiin jo ihan mielissaan, mutta ei aikaakaan, ku tarjoilija toi meille tarjottimella ruokaa, ja teeta. Ihanku lentokoneessa. Oltiin valmistauduttu selviamaan pelkilla sipseilla iltaan asti. Oltiin ihan ahkyssa aterian jalkeen mutta pakkohan meidan oli syoda ku kerta maksettiinkin. Meni muutama tunti, ja meille tuotiin snacksia... Junamatkan loppupuolella meille tuotiin viela paa-ateria, ja oltiin siina vaiheessa jo aivan taynna, mutta pakko sita oli maistaa. Aloin ruokalevolle, mutta pian Saara heratti mut, meille tuotiin jaateloa. Aivan uskomatonta, oikeesti teki pahaa syoda niin paljon, taman takia liput oli niin kalliit! Ja taman takia ylaluokkaiset Intialaiset on aika usein vahan pyoreita... Paastiin perille ja otettiin riksa meidan majoituspaikkaan. Saatiin siis majoitus Aliisan kaverin Royn perheen luota, jotka on siis intialaisia.
Ollaan shoppailtu pari paivaa ja nahty nahtavyyksia, Lootustemppeli oli niin ihana!! Meilla on ollu auto ja kuski kaytossa, ja Royn aiti on jarjestanyt meille jopa oppaan, Abbyn. Kotona ollessamme perheen kokki on tehnyt meille aivan ihanaa ruokaa ja perheen palvelija on pessyt meidan pyykit. Ei siis valittamista... Ollaan oikeastaan aika hammentyneita tasta kun ei ole tottunut tallaiseen. Huomenna tehdaan paivareissu Agraan, jossa on siis Taj Mahal. Samalla kaydaan katsomassa temppeleita Vrindavanissa. Huh, kiiretta on pitanyt, ja itse ainakin odotan matkan seuraavaa laid-back-osiota koska tykkaan nukkumisesta niin paljoooooon! Tytot ei ymmarra, etta ihmisen kuuluu nukkua kymmenen tuntia yossa. No joo, kirjotellaan sitten myohemmin lisaa, nyt pitaa menna shoppailemaan..:/

So everything is okay here, we will write later more in English too, sorry!

Aino

Tuoreita vihanneksia?!

Hyvastelimme Udaipurin prameissa puitteissa. Rakas ystavamme Lounari johdatti meidat jalleen kerran mielettomaan ravintolaan, jonka jarvimaisemissa ihailimme eri valoissa hohtavaa Udaipuria. Nama LP:n suosittelemat paikat pistavat vain valilla mietityttamaan, onko tuo opus nyt sitten aivan suunnattukaan reppumatkaajille... Taman raflan tarjoilijat lievasti nostelivat kulmiaan, kun lampsimme sisaan resuisina suoraan kaupunkikierrokselta. Ravintola oli aivan tyhja, mutta meilta kysyttiin, onko meilla poytavarausta. Suostuivat kuitenkin lopulta johdattamaan meidat nurkkapoytaan piiloon muiden tulevien asiakkaiden silmista, ettei etiketti aivan vaurioituisi. Lookimme kruunasi Aliisan siniraitainen pyyheviitta, jonka tarjoilija kiikutti unohtuneen pitkahihaisen paidan korvikkeeksi.

Loppujen lopuksi meilla oli kuitenkin parhaat nakymat jarvelle ja henkilokuntakin oli miellyttavaa. Aino soi ensimmaisen liha-annoksensa Intiassa ja mina popsin lammasta. Oli muuten ehka mureinta lampaanlihaa ikina! Harmi vain, etta kauniin livesitar- taustamusiikin peitti naapuribaarista pauhaava moka- taisi olla Octopussy screenilla.

Udaipur kahdessa paivassa tuntui liian pikaiselta. Kaupunki aukesi meille lahinna eri rakennusten kattojen kautta. Periaatteessa hengailimme koko ajan katolla; soimme, joogasimme, luimme, otimme paahieronnan.. Ja koko Udaipur naytti sielta kasin niin satumaiselta. Kun astuimme kadulle, loytyi taas normi-Intia lehmanpaskalajineen ja koyhyyteneen. Turisteja oli myos ahdistukseksi asti. Mutta Udaipur seuraavalla Intian matkalla? Miksipas ei! Ainon kanssa todettiin silti, etta tanne ei tultas haamatkalle. Vaikkakin lahtoillan maailman romanttisin ravintola kynttiloineen ja kuhertelusoppeineen sai tytot romanttiselle mielelle, taisi poikaystavat pyoria kovasti mielessa.:)



Siirtyma jarvikaupungista toiseen ei sujunut ihan vaivattomasti. Aikaisemmat sleepperibussikokemuksemme olivat olleet omasta mielestani hyvia, tyttojen mielesta vaihtelevia, mutta tama kerta oli kaikkien mielesta jotain ihan muuta.
Bussin loytaminen sujui vaivatta (vanhasta viisastuneena ei tiristelyja!), mutta bussiin astuessa ei haluttu todeta sita oikeaksi. Bussissa leijaili virtsan ja tupakansekainen haju, joka sai meidat heti alusta asti voimaan pahoin. Meidan paikat loytyi bussin peralta, ja petiemme alapuolella istuskeli melkolaisen arvelluttavaa sakkia. Loyhkaan lisaantyi alkoholin vivahde. Eka kertaa koytin rinkan oikein kunnolla kiinni, ja vielapa nukuin sen paalla. Bussin pomppiessa paa osui jatkuvasti kattoon ja oksennus luikerteli jo monta kertaa kurkussa, kun alapuolella istuvat alkkikset eivat antaneet meidan edes avata ikkunaa, jotta olisi saanut edes vahan raikasta ilmaa.. Silla matkalla ei paljon nukuttu. Kukapa nukkuisi armottomassa tuijotuksessa, joka kohdistuu juuri sinuun lukuisista ahneista silmapareista. Lisaksi bussin sisalla poltettiin tupakkaa ja joku oksensi meidan alapuolella. Kun kusitaukoa ei vain kuulunut, Ainon uribagi paasi eka kertaa kayttoon. Ja tama on juhlimisen arvoinen asia: se toimi! Hyvasti tiristelyt!

Pushkariin saavuttiin taas kerran "onnellisesti" aamuyosta. Meilla kavi taas kerran hyva maiha guest housen kanssa. Jouduimme herattamaan oven edessa viltilla nukkuneen pikkupojan, joka tomerasti ilmoitti, etta huone loytyy. Aliisaa meinasi naurattaa taman arviolta 11-vuotiaan pojan patevyys, ja han kysyikin, olisiko paikalla mahdollisesti jotain muutakin henkiloa. Ei kai poika nyt voinut huoneiden luovutuksesta vastata? Paikalle saapuikin kohta paikan pomo pelkka pyyhe lanteillaan ja ilmoitti, etta menkaa vain nukkumaan siita, kaytannon asiat hoidetaan myohemmin. No, huonetta eika aamupalaa ole viela nytkaan maksettu, eika mitaan passeja kysytty. Saimme myos huomata, etta pikkupoika todellakin vastaa huoneiden luovutuksen lisaksi kaikesta muustakin, kuten tarjoilusta, lakanoiden vaihdosta, siivouksesta ja guest housen vartioinnista. Don't worry madams, I'm here 24/7!

Olemme kuulleet paljon kehuja kauniista Udaipurista, mutta Pushkar on mainittu lahinna hyvana shoppailupaikkana. Meille Pushkar taas on nayttaytynyt sievana ja rentona paikkana, jossa shoppailu on jatkuvan kusetuksen takia lahinna vain rasittavaa. Jarvi on noin kymmenen kertaa Udaipurin kuivunutta lammikkoa kauniimpi, ja ymparvoivat vuoret tekevat sellaisen lintukotomaisen olon. Taalla on paljon lankkareita, mutta ei yhta arsyttavan oloisesti kuin Udaipurissa.
Tapasimme kadulla hauskat nelikymppiset australialaiskaverukset, jotka pyysivat meidat heti mukaansa illalliselle. Jessleella ja Shellylla on tarkoituksena matkustaa ensin Intiassa ja jatkaa sitten Nepaliin. Leidit olivat hyvaa ruokaseuraa, ja halusivat lopuksi tarjota meille koko illallisen. Rakastuimme ravintolaan, koska siella saatoimme syoda ihan mita vain salaateista lahtien, silla kaikki oli valmistettu puhdistetulla vedella. Kurkkua, tomaattia ja papaijaa!
Yksi annos jai kuitenkin kokonaan syomatta, ja se sattui viela olemaan taydellisimman nakoinen sienipasta- annos. Eras meidan seurueesta oli jo useamman kerran paivan aikana maininnut oksuolosta.
Aliisa oli saanut Delhi-bellyn.:(
Ravintolan vessa tuli harmittavan monta kertaa tutuksi ja hotellilla sama jatkui. Nyt Aliisan vointi alkaa jo olla parempi, mahdollisesti kiitos siita kuuluu pahoinvointilaakkeille. Ruokaa on kuitenkin saatu jo menemaan mahalaukkuun, joten ehka huominen kamelisafari saattaa olla hanenkin kohdallaan mahdollinen. Banaania vaan nassuun, lepoa ja Ainon ja Saaran huolenpitoa!

Nyt taytyykin lahta sukkuloimaan guest housia kohti, tapaamme kohta kamelimiehen. Saamme kuulla huomisen safarin aikataulusta ja dyynikohteesta. Kulkeminen tuolla tapotaysilla kaduilla ei ole mitenkaan erityisen nopeaa, silla taalla on nyt haakausi. Olemme todistaneet jo neljan eri haaseurueen kulkua. Se ei ole mitaan ihan hiljaista hommaa. Musiikki on olennainen osa juhlintaa, ja ilmeisesti jokin Wagnerin haavalssia vastaava intialainen tablarumpuhassakka soi jo meidan takaraivossa. Juhlarummut alkavat parisemaan jo kahdeksalta aamulla ja mukaan liittyvat pian syntikka ja torvet. Elakointi jatkuu aamuyohon, ja toistuu siis ilmeisesti JOKA paiva, kunnes Pushkarin kaikki tuoreet haaparit on saatu juhlittua. Haat kestavat kahdeksan paivaa. Pahimmatkaan suomalaiset prinsessahaatkaan tuskin ovat verrattavissa tahan. :D

Juhlahumun keskelta terveiset huikkaa Saara







Here we are in Pushkar! After the scarriest and bumpiest bus ride (during which we were not only stared at by Rajasthani drunks who smoked indoors, but Aino also popped open her uribag and used it!) we made it to Ajjmer. After hastling with a difficult and persistant rickshaw driver, we spent about 30min in the freezing open-air ride driving to Pushkar. It was yet again night time, but a little boy working at our hotel was woke up and notified his "boss" of our arrival. Soon after, we were already settling into our room, falling asleep in the early hours of the morning.

After breakfast, we went back to bed and slept until about 5pm! We could have continued sleeping, but wanted to check out the town before dark. Pushkar seemed to me like series of little streets packed with little shops offering everything a tourist would want. After bargaining with a few shopkeepers we found the act in itself quite the challenge. The shopkeepers really knew how to screw with the "dumb tourist's" head. Needless to say we bought nothing that night, but instead met two Aussie ladies. Like us, they were also looking for a place to eat dinner. After a while of pondering they decided to give us a treat at their hotel restaurant. And what a restaurant it was.. :)

At this point I started to feel rather sick to my stummach, but I really didn't want to. Lovely company, beautiful surroundings.. and to top it all, all fruit and veggies at the restaurant were washed in purified water!! This basically meant that we would finally be able to eat the fresh and uncooked! We made our orders and right about that time, I hit the loo for the first time. Everything I had eaten that day came out like a roll of thunder.. Okay, I won't describe it any further, but needless to say, I wasn't able to eat the lovely meal which was offered to me. But we decided to meet the Aussie ladies for breakfast the next morn. The girls went off to the Internet cafe, but i didnt feel up to it. I stayed an vomited instead :D Could have had a better eve, yes. Text messages from mama and Puto made me smile.




Saara and Aino had a shopping day today. Aino bought earings, a bag and a scarf. Saara on the other hand found a necklace and a scarf. The walked around a huge wedding fest all day. As it turns out, we happened to arrive in Pushkar during one of the loudest events. 8 days of wedding festivities, huge orchestras playing LOUD music, same tunes over and over again, early in the morning and late at night. Phew. I was still feeling a bit ill today (although no puking!) so I stayed back at the hotel. The girls surprised me with their endless generosity. They had bargained me a pair of pants and an ugly man-shirt! I had been looking for both for ages!

Must really get going now, but what I had to say was that our tomorrow's plans (hopefully) include more shopping and an overnight camel safari in the desert! I'm almost hopeful I'll be able to join, too. Shall be an experience! But now we're off to do some camel safari planning with "the camel man" :D

-Aliisa

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Aurinkotervehdys Udaipurista

Aliisa aloittaa..

Lahdimme kuin lahdimmekin Diulta, ehkapa jokseenkin vastahakoisesti, mutta toisaalta myos valmiina jatkamaan matkaamme. Ainon vatsa voi jo paremmin, ja uskalsimme nain ollen kohdistaa katseemme Udaipuriin pain. Edessa oli 2 matkaa valtion bussilla, seka yksi matka yksityisella sleeper-bussilla. Lahdimme Diulta tiistai-aamuna klo.05:30. Guesthousemme organisoima riksa oli vartin myohassa, joten missattiin ilmeisesti aikaisempi bussi (?).. mutta paasimme kuitenkin matkaamaan kohti Bhavnagaria. Lukuisat pelottelut koskien valtion busseja osoittautuivat humpuukiksi, silla meille matkaaminen kyseisilla busseilla oli ihan jees. Saimme hyvat paikat Diulta lahtevasta bussista. Itse otin ikkunapaikan, koska olo ei ollut mita parahin. Lahtoa edeltavana yona syomani MURUKUT (jotkut ihmeelliset maustekeksit) aiheuttivat narastyksen kaltaisen oksu-olon. Jos siis luet tata, ja olet mahdollisesti matkaamassa Intiaan, EN suosittele MURUKKUJA!

Meilla ei ole tassa kamalasti aikaa kirjoitella, koska taman illan aikatauluun kuuluu viela 7. tunnin bussimatka Ajjmiriin, MUTTA koitan nyt kiteyttaa asiat (,vaikka olenkin siina aivan surkea). Reality-check Ainomme varmaan osaisi. Mutta nyt asiaan..

Saavuimme aamupaivalla Bhavnagariin, josta loysimme uskomattoman sujuvasti jatkoyhteyden Ahmedabadiin - kaupunkiin, jonne emme koskaan uskoneet palaavamme. Ahmedabadissa viivyimme muutaman tunnin odotellessa seuraavaa bussiyhteyttamme. Udaipuriin oli siis paastava. Palasimme aikaisemmin kayttamamme matkatoimiston liikkeeseen, josta ostimme liput. Itse lahto aiheutti (etenkin Ainolle) kuumotusta, silla minun ja Saaran piti viela menna meille hyvin rutiininomaiseksi muodostuneelle "tiristelylle" eli viimeistenkin virtsatippojen rutistukselle ennen lahtoa matkatoimiston vieressa sijaitsevaan ravintolaan. Ainon odotellessa matkatoimiston aulassa, henkilokunta alkoi yhtakkia viittomaan, etta bussi lahti jo!!

Melkein jo menetimme toivon matkamme jatkamisesta, mutta onneksi bussimme teki tietynlaisen kierroksen Ahmedabadin keskustassa, ja paasimme viela hyppaamaan kyytiin. Helpotuksen tunne oli suuri, ja tiristelemme vastaisuudessa harkitummin. Ehkapa paasemme pian kokeilemaan niita netista tilaamiamme Uribagejakin..

Suosimamme matkatoimiston vaki oli hivenen epaselvaa porukkaa. Kysyessamme matkan kestoa, kuulimme useita eri vastauksia. Saapuisimmeko Udaipuriin viiden, kuuden vai seitseman tunnin paasta jai hyvin epaselvaksi. Keskella yota herasimme bussib pysahtyessa vessatauolle. Kello oli 3 aamuyosta. Bussin lahtiessa liikkeelle paatimme kysya, kuinka pitka matka Udaipuriin viela oli. Olimme jo Saaran kanssa palanneet makuupusseihimme valmiina jatkamaan keskeytyneita unia. Olihan meille aiemmin sanottu, etta 7 aikaan aamulla saapuisimme perille. Yhtakkia saimme kuitenkin kuulla saapuneemme Udaipuriin - ja kello oli vasta 3.30!! Paniikinomaisesti survoimme makuupusseja reppuihimme bussin odotellessa "ulostautumistamme". Meidat jatettiin likaiselle kadulle yon sysimustaan pimeyteen.

Unenpopperoisina ja hammentyneina poukkoilimme lahimman riksakuskin luokse ja naytimme eraan guesthousen kayntikorttia. Onneksemme guesthouse oli auki ja paasimme valittomasti kirjautumaan sisaan, ja jatkamaan unia. Keskiviikkopaiva avautui moskeijan rukouskutsuun upeissa maisemissa. Aamiaisen nautimme guesthousemme kattoterassilla. Viimeistaan silloin tajusin oikeasti saapuneeni Udaipuriin. Myohemmin tajusimme myos olevamme keskella suurta turistien mekkaa. Lansimaalaisia on taalla varmaan enemman kuin Mumbaissa. Johtuneekohan tama kaikki tosiaan siita yhdesta James Bond-leffasta (Octopussy), jossa Udaipur esiintyy.. Illalla menimme elamamme ensimmaiseen intialaiseen paahierontaan. Nainen, joka oli kuulemma syntynyt hierojaperheeseen ja oppinut sen "jalon taidon" jo pienesta pitaen, osasi kylla asiansa. Ensivaikutelmalta jokseenkin kovakouraiselta tuntuva kasittely osoittautui kuitenkin rentouttavaksi ja yleelliseksi kokemukseksi. Tata lisaa Intiassa!

Tana aamuna herasimme kukonlaulun aikaan aamujoogaan. Hieroja-naisen mies oli muuan jooga-mestari, ja han pitaa joka-aamuisia joogahetkia guesthousen vieressa sijaitsevassa rakennuksessa. Aamumme alkoi siis mita ihmeellisimmissa asennoissa, mutta valituksen sanaa en voi sanoa. Aino aikoo opettaa mulle ja Saaralle aurinkotervehdyksen, ja olisi oikein mukavaa tehda se joka aamu heratessamme. Onhan matkaa viela yli kuukausi jaljella. Joogan loputtua rupesimme juttelemaan kahdelle ruotsalaistytolle, Saralle ja Martinalle. He liittyivat aamiaisseuraamme, ja antoivat hyvia matkavinkkeja koskien Keralan aluetta. Suosittelivatpa meille viela hyvaa hotelliakin! Aamiaisen jalkeen kavimme City Palacessa Udaipurin upeita maisemia ja suhteellisen mitaansanomattomaa museota tutkailemassa. Seuraavaksi vuorossa illallinen ja auringonlaskun katsastus kattoravintolassa.

Suuntamme siis tanayona Ajjmerin kautta Pushkariin, jossa shoppaajasielumme villiintyvat taatusti. Raportoimme sielta lisaa. Pahoittelen kuvien puuttumista, muistikortinlukija jai hotellille. Lisailemme kuvia siis myohemmin. Nyt jompikumpi tytsyista saa jatkaa..

- Aliisa







Aino writing...
So we left Diu and said goodbye to our temporary friends. Leaving from Diu is not that easy tough. We had to take a local bus at 5am. Previous night our guesthouse host Francesco promised us a rickshaw to the bus station. Well, in Finland if one orders a taxi at 4.45am, it is sure that it will be there exactly the time. This is India so it's not that simple, but we decided to trust Francescos word. So we woke up and went to the road side. No rickshaw. We waited some more. It was dark and dogs were barking so walking didn't seem like a good idea and we had no idea where the bus station was. We had lost our hope but then the rickshaw came! Somehow we made it to a Bhavnagar bus (maybe the bus was also late...?) and we were happy. We went to Bhavnagar and took another local bus to Ahmedabad. We had heard from other travellers that local buses are SO bad, but actually it was rather nice. Of course it was quite hot because there is no air condition there but still we had a nice sleep. From Ahmedabad we bought sleeperbus tickets to Udaipur. In the evening we went to the bus station. We had half an hour till the bus should have come and Aliisa and Saara went to toilet, I was looking after our bags. Suddenly men behind the counter started to hasstle and point at me "Bus, bus, Udaipur!". I showed them my ticket that it should leave at 10.15. They said that it leaves NOW. I was really confused, I couldn't do anything, couldn't leave our stuff there in there and get girls. I tried to call Saara but no answer.. When they FINALLY came, I just yelled, "Our bus, NOW! It's probably gone!!" ...and it was. But then a boy just said to us to follow him, and he took us to another bus station nearby and told us that the same bus comes in fifteen minutes here. It was so freaky, where does the bus go for half an our and then come to a bus stop really near..?? Well, we made it to that bus then. We had some luck.
The bus trip was awful to me. Aliisa and Saara slept like babys but I thought we're gonna dye! The road was so bad and I could hardly sleep. We were told in the bus station that the trip lasts for six or seven hours. We put our alarms at 5am. Around 3am we took a pee break and went back to bus. We were wondering the exact time the bus would be in Udaipur. I went to ask, and suddenly there was a hassle again. The driver didn't speak English, but it came up that that place we were, was Udaipur already. It was so dark, and the "bus station" didn't look like one! It was quite hard to trust that place to be Udaipur, it was so early and we didn't wanna end up in the middle if nowhere. Then the whole bus had to wait for us to gather our things..
But it turned out to be the right place and we even got a hotel room and went sleep! But Udaipur was so creepy in the middle of the night.. But we can tell about Udaipur later, it is a really nice place.
So we are leaving Udaipur already, we have bus tickets for tonight. So next destination: Pushkar
Aino
PS. I think my tummy is alright now, it was just delhibelly I had!

Happily stuck in Diu

Diun viikko on ollu kylla aivan ihana. Paa on ihan tyhja etta mista sita oikeen kirjottais ku me ollaan vaan chillailtu ja otettu rennosti. Taalta ei oikeesti haluais lahtea pois. Meidan queshouse on niin ihana, ja kaikki ihmiset keta ollaan tavattu, hiekkarannat, ruoat, auringonpaiste...
Skootteriajelut on ollu kans ihan huippuja! Skootterin kyydissa on ihanan viileaa ja tuuli puhaltaa korvissa, meri kimaltelee.. Saarakin sanoi loytaneensa vauhdin hurman taalla. Ja yolla vasta ihanaa onkin ajella, se on jotenki niin tunnelmallista. Yhtena paivana saatiin kutsu fullmoonpartyihin. Kutsuttiin sinne lisaa porukkaa ja lahdettiin yhdessa illalla ajamaan sinne, bilepaikka oli vahan kauempana meidan questhousesta. No, niita bileita me ei koskaan loydetty, mutta mentiin meidan omalle rannalle ja istuskeltiin siella jutellen, katsellen tahtia ja kuunnellen aaltojen aanta. Jotenkin ihanaa kun toisilleen ennestaan tuntemattomat ihmiset niin eri lahtokohdista kokoontuu yhteen..Ihania hetkia :).
No, jotain huonoakin sanottavaa. Eilen soin katkarapuja illalliseksi, ja yolla kun paastiin kotiin alko oksettaa. Oon koko yon ja tan paivan rampannu vessassa ja maannu huoneessa mutta nyt uskaltauduin tanne nettikahvilaan. Toivotaan etta tama menis talla ohi.

Seuraava matkakohde on viela hamaran peitossa. Joka tapauksessa mennaan Udaipuriin, mutta ehka sita ennen teemme mutkan yhdessa temppelikaupungissa. Ja katotaan huomenna, mika olo mulla on. Paivitellaan sitten taas etta missa pain Intiaa ollaan.

Aino

PS.Meidan naapuriin muutti suomalaisia! Ensimmaiset suomalaiset lentokentan jalkeen, aika friikkia..







The headline could have been Laid-back part 2. So relaxed it is here. Our normal day has been made of scooter riding in day- and night time, hanging out with Meno and Steve, eating REALLY well (not to mention Francesco's fresh tuna batties with garlic sauce. Seriously, we could make a blog just of the food we've been eating here!), going to the beach, avoiding cows&camels and sleeping. Personally I never thought of riding any kind of vehicle in INDIA, especially when I don't even have a driving license. But it wasn't so suicidecal(this is my own English word) as we thought. I had my first scooter ride here( I believe Miljan would be proud of me) and I enjoyed it so much! As did Aliisa and Aino too. We've been renting the scooters for 5 days now, as it's so cheap. We didn't even consider bicycles.. Why would we do any exercise here..?:D

Basically there's no night life in Diu. That's why we made our own night life. With these lovely people we've met here we've been to the beach having some beers and some suprisingly deep conversations. It’s so interesting how people in so different kind of conditions are gathering together. We heard many colourful stories from people who really have some life wisdom. Also had this "What are you thankful for"- circle, and we all three were happy to notice we are thankful for choosing to travel together.

Today we had quite a day. Aino had been eating prawns yesterday evening in O'coqueira. After that we though had a great night by the shore, sitting on the rocks and listening to the sound of waves. And talking about shy bladder!:D But after that we went sleeping and Aino felt a bit bad. She tried to sleep but soon she had to go throwing up. In the morning these tummy problems continued, so she had to have a rest day. Hopefully she's going to better tomorrow.
With Aliisa we still decided to go to "our beach" for the last time. Got shocked by a person, who, altough paid for our lunch, also said that Obama should be killed because of his skin colour and religion. We went silent. How can someone say things like that?!
After that we needed some cheering up so we got an idea of skinny dipping. And since we are like we are, of course we made it! It was fun until it came the time to get up from the water, and there were Indian men on the beach. Wise idea girls! Afterwards we got this sarcastic comment by Steve: I thought that you said you've been more careful after that creepy night in Mumbai hostel, but girls, this isn't working.

We finally visited the Fort a few days ago, so we are ready to leave Diu. Not that we would really be ready, but we have to. Time is running. We've spent here a week now, but for sure this would be THE place to stay for a longer time. I guess that in Rajasthan we are still in Diu in our minds. Takes a while to get over this.:D
But we do have some plans, although it was un uncomfortable to make them. Next we are heading to Palitana, if Aino's condition allows it. Udaipur and Pushkar are waiting for us as well. And on 28th of November we are going to be in Kerala! Many things to see. And many local buses to use..

Now I must head to O'coqueiro to get some food before they close. I'm taking the risk of illness, just because they have so good food there. Wish me good luck! Haven't been really sick yet (knock the wood).


-Saara

Oh and we have Finns living in the next door. Weird!

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Ensi kertaa matkalla mulla on sellainen olo, etten oikein tieda mista kirjoittaa. Oleskelu taalla on niin rentoa, etta melkein unohtaa olevansa olemassa. Ajantaju katoaa ja sita vain on. Voisin tietenkin kertoa siita, etta olemme jattaneet heratyskellot virittamatta aamuksi, kompineet aamiaiselle yhdentoista aikaan, soittaneet ja laulaneet hotellihuoneessamme pyjamat paalla kello kolmeen asti paivalla, syoneet, syoneet, syoneet ja nukkuneet. Ja tietenkin juoneet, mutta vain vahan. Voisin myos kertoa siita, etta tarkoituksenamme on jo monta paivaa ollut kayda Diun Fortilla, muinoin portugalilaisten rakentamalla linnakkeella, mutta emme ole viela muilta kiireiltamme ehtineet. Kuten myos siita, etta olemme tavanneet liudan uusia mukavia ihmisia, joilla on rento elamanasenne, ja jotka me miellamme “OIKEIKSI travellereiksi”, jos niin voi jotakuta nimittaa. Suurimman vaikutuksen meihin kai teki, etta heista jokainen matkustaa ilman puhelinta. Ja yksi kavi intialaisessa public sairaalassa, jossa operointilamppu oli kiinnitetty kasaan laastareilla. Ja toinen juo vesijohtovetta, jotta tulisi bakteereille immuuniksi. Aivan samaan me ei uskallauduta, muiden kertomukset saavat meidan silmat ymmyrkaisiksi. Huomaamatta tanne saarelle on muodostunut kutakuinkin kaksi nuorten lankkareiden porukkaa. Toinen on kiinnostunut huumeista ja toinen ei. Ei onneksi varmaan ole vaikea arvata, kumpaan me kuulumme.:) Tanaan vuokrasimme skootterit, ja hurautimme Diun toiseen paahan hiljaiselle rannalle. Saimme lahes koko paivan olla siella keskenamme, me 8, ja uskaltauduimme jopa kaymaan bikineilla uimassa. Paiva oli taydellinen leppoisaan yhdessa oloon, vaikkakin skootterilla ajo nain minulle ekakertalaiselle nostatti ensin pulssin korkealle. Se, mista nyt aion kuitenkin kertoa, on se, etta nautimme tasta joutilaisuudesta suunnattoman paljon. Ei haittaa, vaikka emme saisi aikaiseksi mitaan, niin kauan kuin vain nautimme siita. Sovimme silti varmuuden vuoksi, etta taalla olo jatkuu ainakin niin pitkaan, etta kaymme Fortissa. On vaikea kuvitella, etta tasta tulisi viela pakottaa itsensa lahtemaan takaisin Ahmedabadiin. Se on kuitenkin valttamatonta, silla sielta kulkevat kaikki yhteydet Rajasthaniin pain. Lopuksi joudun ilmoittamaan, etta tamakaan teksti ei saasty kuvaukselta todellisesta vaaratilanteesta. Lehma hyokkasi tanaan meidan paalle. Se oli syomassa pahvia meidan guest housen edessa ja jaimme hetkeksi tuijottamaan sen kummallista aantelya ennen sisapihalle astumista. Luulimme, etta se oksentaa. Jotain muuta oli kuitenkin mulikolla mielessa, silla se lahti taysin arvaamatta juoksemaan suoraan meita kohti. Onneksi refleksit pelasivat- paasimme turvaan portin toiselle puolelle. Ehka se vain halusi saikayttaa meidat aikansa kuluksi. Guest house- perheen poika Alvin arveli, etta hyokkays johtui Ainon punaisesta paidasta. Isa Francesco arveli, etta taysikuu saa lehmat hulluiksi. Ei tiedeta, mutta Aino peitti visusti punaisen reppunsa matkalla pesulaan ja tanne nettiin. Apparently it is possible to be afraid of Holy Cows! Ps. Olimme niin vaarassa Diwalista. Se loppui tasan sina paivana, kun luulimme se alkavan. Ihmiset rajayttelevat silti viela ilotulituksia! -Saara








Aliisa reporting from the lovely island of Diu.. ...I don't think i've felt this relaxed and happy in a while. We arrived in Diu yesterday morning. The trip from Mumbai to Diu was long, but now I know if was completely worth all the (pardon my French) shit.

On Friday we took a local train (of Mumbai) from the Churchgate station to Bandra. We had travelled on the 1st class coach before (with our 2nd class tickets), but now decided to go to the ladies coach instead. We were heading to Bandra, a station from which we were to depart to Ahmedabad from later on. The ladies coach had a laid back atmosphere and it was a sight we were thrilled to be a part of. All the colorful sari's, smiley faces - topped with endless babbling. We were cramped up with our huge backpacks and the entire scene was somewhat hilarious. We began chatting with some of the ladies. They aided us a bit with pushing through the crowds at Bandra station, and helped us find a rickshaw that would take us to the Bandra Terminus, another bigger station. The rickshaw ride was something we had never experienced before. We drove through one of India's biggest slums. The scene was quiet and sad, the only noise I was aware of was that of the rickshaw engine. Although I consider myself an enthusiastic photographer, snapping a shot didn't even cross my mind. All you want to do is close your eyes from the mad world and pretend everything is alright.

Once we arrived at the Bandra Terminus, the true hassle began. After about an hour of queuing, we found our our 3rd train ticket had not been confirmed. The dilemma of having 3 people and only 2 confirmed sleeper beds was apparently a common phenomenon around here, especially during the Diwali, one of the biggest national festivals of India. The lady at the ticket counter said it would not be illegal to travel without a 3rd seat, so that we did. We hopped on the train heading to Ahmedabad, found our two beds and prepareda ourselves for the long journey ahead. Since we only had 2 beds, we took 2-hour shifts sleeping, one having a bed of her own and two sharing one. Needless to say, we didn't really sleep much that night.

At around 5am, even before sunrise, we arrived in the capital of Gujarat state, Ahmedabad. Somehow it didn't feel safe to go wonder off on the dark streets so we found a ladies resting room and continued napping on the bench in turns. After 7am we felt confident enough to set foot again. Aino wasn't feeling well at all, she was rather dehydrated and began to vomit once we exited the station. Even her state of being didn't stop the Indian men from hovering around us. It didn't take Aino a long time to feel a bit better and we hopped on a another rickshaw and eventually found ourselves at a bus travel agency. We bought sleeper bus tickets to the island of Diu, but the time being around 10am, felt very exhausted and hungry from the trip of the night before and decided to check the Lonely Planet for a place to eat. We read about Green House, a restaurant near the city center. When we arrived, we realised we had been dropped off at a resort-like palace. Although backpacking is supposed to be budget travel, we didn't even think twise. We walked in the restaurant and ordered breakfast. Aino was still feeling a bit ill and she fell asleep in the restaurant after we ahd eaten! There was a long day of waiting (for the night bus to depart) ahead for us and we began wondering what we could actually do in the city, in terms of Aino's wellbeing and our sleep deprivation. We had heard Ahmedabad was a metropolitan city of beautiful mosques and vibrant atmosphere. None of it mattered anymore. We just wanted to eat and sleep, and that we did! We asked the waiter if there was any place for us to relax for a while. He nodded and guided us to this luxorious pool area of a hotel. We were in awe. We dropped our backpacks and fell asleep on the benches surrounding the swimming pool. Our little "nap" lasted 4,5 hours! :D We woke up to the sound of hotel guests taking a swim. The waiter served us with tea and brought us clean towels if we wanted to take a dip in the refreshing pool, too. Hah, IF. We swam, took long showers, ate a delicious dinner basically spending the entire day at the hotel. It was a day we will never forget. We felt re-energised and ready to hit the road again.

The sleeper bus ride was, in my opinion, the worst bus ride I had ever experienced. Well, perhaps not the worst, but definitely the most dangerous. The beds were narrow, roads beyond bumpy, and forget the seatbelts since those just don't exist. We chained our backpacks to the metal bars fencing the beds. If we wouldn't have, the bags would have dropped to the floor without a doubt. After chaining the bag, I closed the bed curtains and tried to get some sleep, but the bumpyness of the road was just too much to bear. The condition of the bus was otherwise a pleasant surprised and people were friendly and well-behaved, even for us white skinned westerners. An Indian guy did open my bed curtains at one point and yelled "good morning, lady!", but since it was about 4.30am at that point, and I was in no mood for chatter, I just pulled the curtains back and returned to my vertical position. During the journey, the bus stopped 3 times for a pee break! My dear uribag is still, till this day, untouched. We arrived in the island of Diu early in the morning and were greeted by street dogs. Having heard about our friend's bad experience with such wild predators, we were cautious. Having now spent 4 days here, I can honestly say the dogs are harmless. The entire town is.

We were so lucky for having found the guesthouse we are staying at. It is owned by a portuguese-Goan family who took us under their wing with open arms. The guesthouse owners Francesco, Alina and their son Allwyn are some of the most kind-heared people we've met around here. I'm finding it hard to describe Diu in just a few words, but the 4 days we've spent here have already proven us that simple things can make you happy. Sometimes we forget we're in India. We met some other travelers on the beach a few days back and decided to hang out again the next day. Today we rented scooters and rode to a restaurant called La Dolce Vita to have breakfast with the others. After breakfast we hit the road and rode past amazing beaches to a strip of sand abandoned by the locals. Our own private beach. All of us took a dip in the ocean and spent hours listening to music and talking about the strangest things.

For a light finish, I will now tell you about a cow that attacked us today. Once we rode back from the beach and parked our scooters, we saw a huge cow eating a piece of cardboard only 2 meters away from us. The poor thing was choking on the cardboard and began puking. For some strange reason, we were highly amused by it all. Perhaps we stared at the cow a bit too much, stood still observing it, I don't really know. Something we did flipped the cow out and it dashed towards Aino and Saara. We ran towards the guesthouse gate as fast as we could and once we were safe behind the bars we laughed hysterically for a minute or two. According to Francesco the cows go a bit mad during full moon. And of course we just happened to pick the best time for bothering a vomiting cow. Full moon.