The train ride to Ahmedabad was great, I talked to a man and his sick mother, who he was taking home. And as fate would have it I ended up sitting next to a Canadian girl named Rachel. We chatted until bed time, and then climbed into our top bunks (similar to China, three beds on each side of each berth) In the morning we arrived in Ahmedabad. I had decided to continue with her on the train to Udaipur, but she had pre-booked a ticket and I hadnt. Our train arrived late, and she took off to make sure she got on, and I headed to the ticket window to try to find a ticket before it left.
The man selling tickets didnt speak any English, but I managed to figure out that I couldnt get a ticket.
I ran to the train to stow away, and just pay for a ticket when I was caught without one, but I couldnt find the platform because I had no idea what platform it was! I walked back to the main foyer area to find my next move, and I noticed an orange backpack peaking out from behind a barier... I recognize that pack... I walked over and it was Rachel! The train had been canceled. We where both super greatfull to see eachother.
We waited until 8am when the refund counter opened, and she got her money back from her ticket, then we bought bus tickets to Udaipur, and ate some breakfast where - yes, my friends - I drank the water. No problems so far!
We got on our bus and I busted out my headphone splitter and we jammed out to Mumford and Sons with the Dharohar Project (recorded right in Rajasthan where we where heading on our bus)
We pulled in and headed to the lake district, the most beautiful city I have ever seen... and clean!! We found a room for 150 rupees, and went out for dinner on the most amazing rooftop restaurant overlooking the lake. I decided that this city is where I want to take my honeymoon, its super romantic and beautiful. We went back to the guesthouse and chatted with the owner Jahar. He told us his life story, and we soon learned he is the coolest dude in India.
The next morning we at breakfast at another amazing rooftop restaurant, and wandered around looking for leather bags. We bumped into Jahar in the city, and told him what we where looking for. He told us that his friend owns a bag wholesale shop and he could take us there.
The three of us piled on his motorbike and we took off through the insane Indian traffic, knees grazing passing rickshaws and hearts beating like crazy.
The shop didnt have what we where looking for, but he took us to his brothers shop and he sold us some leather bound books for next to nothing.
Rachel and I headed to a shop I had seen on the way, and found just the bags we where looking for. We bartered and chatted with the owner, a 20 year old guy. We drank masala chai together, and designed the details of our bags. I got a camel leather shoulder bag, I chose the shade of leather, and had him put an extra long strap on it. Then I had him etch "Its dangerous business walking out your front door" into the flap.
Then to a turban shop, where I ordered a custom turban, and then to a tailor who is making me a Kurta set (light cotton long shirt and pants)
We headed back to the guesthouse for my birthday dinner (Jahar insisted, even though my birthday is 3 weeks away) He cooked us a incredible meal, and emptied his fridge of beer and water. A bunch of his friends showed up and we ate and laughed together! Then we headed to the roof and smoked shisha under the stars in true Indian fashion.
My back has been killing me since the bus ride, so Jaher had me lay down and gave me an awesome massage, then a head massage. Then I fell fast asleep.
The man selling tickets didnt speak any English, but I managed to figure out that I couldnt get a ticket.
I ran to the train to stow away, and just pay for a ticket when I was caught without one, but I couldnt find the platform because I had no idea what platform it was! I walked back to the main foyer area to find my next move, and I noticed an orange backpack peaking out from behind a barier... I recognize that pack... I walked over and it was Rachel! The train had been canceled. We where both super greatfull to see eachother.
We waited until 8am when the refund counter opened, and she got her money back from her ticket, then we bought bus tickets to Udaipur, and ate some breakfast where - yes, my friends - I drank the water. No problems so far!
We got on our bus and I busted out my headphone splitter and we jammed out to Mumford and Sons with the Dharohar Project (recorded right in Rajasthan where we where heading on our bus)
We pulled in and headed to the lake district, the most beautiful city I have ever seen... and clean!! We found a room for 150 rupees, and went out for dinner on the most amazing rooftop restaurant overlooking the lake. I decided that this city is where I want to take my honeymoon, its super romantic and beautiful. We went back to the guesthouse and chatted with the owner Jahar. He told us his life story, and we soon learned he is the coolest dude in India.
The next morning we at breakfast at another amazing rooftop restaurant, and wandered around looking for leather bags. We bumped into Jahar in the city, and told him what we where looking for. He told us that his friend owns a bag wholesale shop and he could take us there.
The three of us piled on his motorbike and we took off through the insane Indian traffic, knees grazing passing rickshaws and hearts beating like crazy.
The shop didnt have what we where looking for, but he took us to his brothers shop and he sold us some leather bound books for next to nothing.
Rachel and I headed to a shop I had seen on the way, and found just the bags we where looking for. We bartered and chatted with the owner, a 20 year old guy. We drank masala chai together, and designed the details of our bags. I got a camel leather shoulder bag, I chose the shade of leather, and had him put an extra long strap on it. Then I had him etch "Its dangerous business walking out your front door" into the flap.
Then to a turban shop, where I ordered a custom turban, and then to a tailor who is making me a Kurta set (light cotton long shirt and pants)
We headed back to the guesthouse for my birthday dinner (Jahar insisted, even though my birthday is 3 weeks away) He cooked us a incredible meal, and emptied his fridge of beer and water. A bunch of his friends showed up and we ate and laughed together! Then we headed to the roof and smoked shisha under the stars in true Indian fashion.
My back has been killing me since the bus ride, so Jaher had me lay down and gave me an awesome massage, then a head massage. Then I fell fast asleep.
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