Lisa in India (5)

Namaste!

Have just returned to Kathmandu from the Nepalese jungle of Royal Chitwan National Park. Chitwan was quite different from the Himalayan regions - jungle like, palm trees, hotter and wetter....the locals grow rice and I was fascination with the rice fields since I have never really seen much of this before. I am so ignorant about where my food comes from since I am so far removed from farming and subsistence farming is such a way of life in so many countries (but not mine). It is embarrassing when I have to ask my guide, "what are they growing" and I find out it is something I eat everyday...rice, barley...

It was really only tourist vehicles on the roads today due to the General Strike under the Maoist radicals. We had the road to ourselves other than the pedestrians and cyclists. No motor vehicles or goods and services are curren! tly moving. One of the guys staying at the Chitwan Jungle lodge with us had his bus trip and ticket cancelled because the only mode of transportation available is air travel. There is a strong military presence everywhere and frequent checkpoints which is unusual for Nepal. This has gravely affected tourism which is so unfortunate because I really don't feel unsafe or concerned. Our little 20 seater plane was full today because the only way even a budget backpackers could get out of Chitwan was to fly.

We had a lovely relaxing few days. The highlight was most definitely the elephant safari and chasing the Asian black rhino. I saw lots of white rhino in Africa but very little of the black rhino since they prefer taller grasses. From the height and vantage point of elephant-back, we could watch a mom and her baby rhino and then we followed a male for a while. It was quite a thrill. Both the elephant and rhino are such fascinating animals. Rhinos are so prehistoric looking and have funny looking bums!

The lodge has a one year old baby elephant and it is wonderful to go right up to them and touch them, play with their trunks. We watched them go for a swim and then a dirt bath.

This Asian jungle safari was not quite like Africa's Serengeti but still enjoyable and relaxing. We also saw monkey, wild boar, deer, crocodiles, lots of birds....and I always love the sounds of the jungle.

Tonight is our last meal together, the 5 of us who have been together for now 28 days. Now we have to say good bye to our Nepalese guide Vishnu too. Both our India and Nepalese guides were absolutely fabulous so we have been most fortunate. I have had lousy guides for vacations before and they can make or break ! ;your enjoyment during a holiday.

Furthermore, I will have to say good bye to my Aussie buddy, Michelle. This is our 3rd travel adventure together in the last 7 years. We figure we have travelled now 21 full weeks together if you include Africa, South America and India/Nepal. Sniff sniff. We will just have to go visit each other soon, I guess, but I keep saving the easy one for last.

I know you are probably all thinking, "Is she sad to go home?"

I am starting to get used to being without my comforts - those things that make me a very spoiled rotton Westerner. Yes, I miss my daily hot shower, warm comfy queen size bed, fresh salads and vegetables like broccoli and asparagus, beef (yes, lots of cows here but cows are sacred, not dinner food!), oooohhhh, and I miss my car and driving a fast 120 km/ h! our on roads where people stick to the rules and drive in proper lanes (My favourite Indian sign was: "Lane driving is safe driving" and no Indians stick to any lane; they drive haphazardly and I now have a greater appreciation for why Torontonian taxi drivers drive like friggin' lunatics!!!)....and I miss clean clothes and good freshly ground coffee beans and brewed coffee (Nescafe sucks!!!) and cold milk (hot mild in cereal really bites too)....there are many material things I miss and the comforts which this little Princess has grown accustomed to, so yes, I am looking forward to going home in that respect.

Most of all I miss my little fur babies (yes, I am a freaky cat lady) who curl up at my feet at night. Family and friends, that goes without saying. You know I could never leave Canada because everyone I love is there. It is my home.

What incredible countri! es and cultures are both India and Nepal. You must put both of them on your travel list. I would not hesitate to return to both again. Most important to me is what I have learned about Indian culture. And I only saw this one very tiny little piece of it!

I will be home on Sunday March 19th. I have requested that my good old bro Greg cook me a roast beef dinner including some broccoli and I will be cracking open a bottle of red wine if anyone wants to join me. You should let Greg know though so he can cook enough!

Back to work Monday morning, sharp. And I must take the GO Train since this GO Ho misses her Go buddies!

Cheers,

Lisa xo