Our trip from Amritsar and onwards mainly consisted of government-run buses. These are pretty much tins with seats, but were the only option available and actually not as bad as they sound. Just a bit crowded at times, which always makes me a bit stressed about how the hell we are going to get out with all our luggage. Fortunately we were for the most part the first ones on and the last ones off. We slowly made our way up into the mountains to Dharamshala/McCleod Ganj which is Dalai Lama's home away from home so to speak. This is where Dalai Lama is located in exile along with thousands of tibetan refugees. The tibetan presence was very noticable, which was nice for a change. Lovely, friendly people and we spent some well-deserved lazy days there before continuing on to Haridwar. Haridwar was a place that supposedly was meant to be like Varnasi, but as soon as we got off the bus we both got a bad vibe from the place. Can't say exactly what it was, but we just didn't like it very much. Didn't help that down by the Ganges river we were cornered by "official"-looking donation ushers! We were pretty much coerced into making a donation to god-knows-what. (Later we found out that it was for feeding homeless people) Believe me, I don't mind making a donation for a good cause, but not when it's enforced like "either you pay or else...." kind of thing. What was even worse was that the donation-collectors complained and laughed at the money we gave even though I know that the amount was good for at least one meal. Slightly annoyed and insulted we decided to move on already the next day. Our last stop before returning to Delhi was the Corbett National park. Even if we were told that sightings of tigers had been frequent the last few days, we saw no tigers or much of any other animals or even animal droppings. A bit disappointing, but hey that's the way it is!
Back in Delhi, both Dan and I was surspised to find that we thought it seemed much cleaner and less busy than when we first arrived. We concluded that there could only be two explanations for that: 1) either they had hired a new cleaning crew over the past few weeks (and we swear that we now saw street sweepers that we hadn't seen previously) or 2) we had become de-sensitized. Either way, Delhi was definitely less unappealing than the first time. As we walked there and marvelled at this new-found charm to Delhi a motorbike came driving in the narrow street that we were on. This is usually not a problem and you just step to the side. As I did this, I noticed a black plastic bag in the street. It was slightly broken and the contents was undoubtedly brown and suspiciously similar to poo. I was thinking that if the motorbike hits it, the contents will go flying and I'm in the firing line. Shit (literally)!! I had just finished the thought when "whoosh" the motorbike hit the bag spot on and the "brown stuff" splashed around. A nice speck of (what I was now convinced must be poo) landed on my shin, about the size of a US quarter. Breathing heavily trying to calm down I walked to Dan (who had no idea what had just happened) and asked him for some paper that we usually carry around for a different kind of emergency. A quick wipe and a long, thorough washing later I was finally able to relax again. Dan amused himself by speculating from which animal (or human!) it may have been from. In my opinion it doesn't matter. Once it comes out that end it is all the same anyway. It was a bit ironic though and so much for a cleaner Delhi :) To make matters worse, the next day a bird landed a big one on my shoulder. I know that this is supposed to be good luck, but I'll be happy if this luck extends only to not being shit on again :)
Back in Delhi, both Dan and I was surspised to find that we thought it seemed much cleaner and less busy than when we first arrived. We concluded that there could only be two explanations for that: 1) either they had hired a new cleaning crew over the past few weeks (and we swear that we now saw street sweepers that we hadn't seen previously) or 2) we had become de-sensitized. Either way, Delhi was definitely less unappealing than the first time. As we walked there and marvelled at this new-found charm to Delhi a motorbike came driving in the narrow street that we were on. This is usually not a problem and you just step to the side. As I did this, I noticed a black plastic bag in the street. It was slightly broken and the contents was undoubtedly brown and suspiciously similar to poo. I was thinking that if the motorbike hits it, the contents will go flying and I'm in the firing line. Shit (literally)!! I had just finished the thought when "whoosh" the motorbike hit the bag spot on and the "brown stuff" splashed around. A nice speck of (what I was now convinced must be poo) landed on my shin, about the size of a US quarter. Breathing heavily trying to calm down I walked to Dan (who had no idea what had just happened) and asked him for some paper that we usually carry around for a different kind of emergency. A quick wipe and a long, thorough washing later I was finally able to relax again. Dan amused himself by speculating from which animal (or human!) it may have been from. In my opinion it doesn't matter. Once it comes out that end it is all the same anyway. It was a bit ironic though and so much for a cleaner Delhi :) To make matters worse, the next day a bird landed a big one on my shoulder. I know that this is supposed to be good luck, but I'll be happy if this luck extends only to not being shit on again :)
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