It's Not Personal, Just Driving

You may remember my mentioning how nuts Vietnam was for driving...I take it back. Vietnam is tame. Driving in India is by far scarier. Yesterday was my first real driving experience in India (in the daytime) - We took a rickshaw to the bus and then a 3h bus ride to Allahabad to take the train - and I have to say, I had no idea traveling could be so stressful! There is no centre line here (at least in the minds of drivers). Our bus driver (we nicknamed him "Stone Cold" for his expressionless/no fear driving) would drive for minutes on end in the opposing lane, honking madly, forcing smaller oncoming vehicles to the side and then swerving at the very last second back into our lane when challenged by vehicles the same size or larger. If two cars so narrowly missed each other in Canada, the drivers would pull over and thank their lucky stars they just survived such a near death experience. In India, it's routine. If a vehicle wants to pass another, you drive up behind it and honk madly and repeatedly until they move over. If they don't move over, you pass them in the oncoming traffic lane. No hard feelings. Our driver tried to pass another, he was honking madly for some time but the vehicle didn't make room, eventually we passed it on the sidewalk side (I also wouldn't want to bike here, you are playing with your life biking along a road in India) and instead of getting mad at the guy for not moving (in Canada this would have warranted at least a glare, if not a "wtf" look or possible finger), there was no acknowledgment whatsoever! As if, no hard feelings, it's just driving. The driving madly up behind someone and honking repeatedly, just safety. India definitely is incredible.

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View from our Rooftop Restaurant

Taj Mahal, No big deal :)

Da da dada... The Taj Mahal

We made it! (and were lucky enough to see it in the morning before the massive swell of tourists took over).

This place is even more beautiful than in photos: the white marble and the mosaic details are incredible, and combined with the gardens and the water fountains, this place made me happy just walking around it. And it smelled like fresh cut grass! Such a welcome smell in India!

I need more Malcolm Gladwell!

This book caught my eye in a train station in Thailand and I can't put it down it's so good. In it Malcolm Gladwell talks about how success isn't solely a product of individual perseverance and skill, but has as much to do with family upbringing, cultural background and when you were born (month and birth year - and no it's not hippy psychic stuff). So interesting! Now I need to find "The Tipping Point" and "Blink" :)

The Ganges From Our Rooftop Terrace

Our sunset tour guide

Our Ghat

Munshi Ghat. Our guesthouse is behind this one about a 2 minute walk. It's not really a guesthouse but a not for profit that allows people to stay in its rooms. It's really cool and has an clearly awesome location, free breakfast and lunch, free wifi, library, yoga in the mornings and a cafe an restaurant upstairs :) it's called Kautilya Society I believe?