Sunday 24 September 2017

Blog Post #45 - Last Stop, Punjab

 A fun-filled summer (combined with a busy work schedule) has meant a long delay for this last post from India. It honestly feels like a life time ago since I was there (March / April / May 2017), and I have only finally started to transition back to a diet of naan and curry here in Canada.

Punjabi people make up an overwhelming majority of Indians in Canada. Many came as refugees in the 1980s after Indira Ghandi was killed. The presence of Punjabis in Canada has also translated to a visible Canadian connection in Punjab. You will see the maple leaf in Punjab more than any other international flag. I also met many young Punjabis while there, and most had aspirations to eventually study in Canada. They are sure to bring not only the smarts, but also the loud music and dance party.

Amritsar

Punjabi music and bhangra are my FAVORITE! Lots of energy and smiles

The holiest site in the Sikh religion. The Golden Temple

Never did confirm if they are sweeping for insects or just dirt?

I learned a lot about Sikh traditions.
People were always very pleased for the opportunity to share

I lucked out with an overcast day that was NOT 'India hot'

Hot enough for a midday swim though

Guards with big spears everywhere

Can never complain about my job again

Wagah border with Pakistan is a must see if you are visiting Amritsar. Thousands of Indians chanting, yelling, dancing, singing the anthem, and doing everything to make themselves feel better than the Pakistanis on the other side. Honestly, it came across as a bunch of children on a playground with self-esteem issues. Scary to think they have nukes pointed at each other.

The Punjab police stopped my rickshaw and jumped in for a ride

The constant requests for pictures makes me relieved not to be a celebrity

Chandigarh

Probably the most Western-looking city I saw in India. Large streets, traffic circles and some space on the roads. Was only there for one night, but stayed with a friend's parents. A beautiful family that showed me a very nice local experience in a not-so touristy city.

The rock garden in Chandigarh makes for a relaxing afternoon (despite the heat)

I am not an overly art-inclined individual, but thought these two were pretty cool

I had hours to wait for my flight and the young guy was nice to chat with.
My running shoes have never looked so unnecessarily clean.

I hope you have enjoyed the posts from my time in India. Eventually I will share some stories from a short trip through Jakarta and Bali, after I left India. And hopefully I will soon have pictures from new exciting adventures. Let me know if you have ideas!

<3 Jesse

Sunday 23 July 2017

Blog Post #44 - Hangout in the Himalayas

No doubt one of the most satisfying moments of my trip in India was leaving the craziness and 45C heat of New Delhi, and escaping to the mountains of Himachal Pradesh (HP). It was my first time ever in the Himalayas, and they brought back memories of my home near the Rocky Mountains of Western Canada. At that point of the trip I had not been home in seven months, and the mountain oasis was exactly what I needed to feel a bit less homesick.

My journey in the state would involve one to many cramped night buses, but definitely worth the discomfort to explore the cities of Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie.

Shimla

Just like across the rest of India, every few hundred kilometers there were noticeable changes in the culture, dress and food of the people. I loved HP because the cities were much smaller and there seemed to be a stronger sense of mountain community. People were polite to give way on the narrow mountain roads, they often waved and smiled, and I often got asked to join in for a dinner, trek or camping.

A retired Indian man invited me to sit at his table when I entered.
He asked a lot about Canada and then kindly offered to pay for my meal

The main square in Shimla was always bustling while I was there

This monkey stole my glasses.
It was quite the test of problem solving to get them back....while slightly blind

A gigantic statue of Lord Hanumaan at Jakhu Temple (monkey temple)
 
The beer gives a range from 4-10% alcohol content

These police officers were impressed to hear that the officers in Calgary wear cowboy hats.
I was more impressed with their hats.

The summer capital for the British ruling India

The cows here eat well

The food is always better with company and expert advice for orders

I was not the only victim of monkey crime.
These monkeys managed to trick a local shopkeeper and stole his receipts book
Manali

Unfortunately I had to visit the hospital in Manali when I first arrived, so I spent a couple of days relaxing in Old Manali and making new friends. I would have loved to do some more adventurous trekking, but I will save that for the next visit! 

The cafe and food scene is amazing, with no shortage of expats that have endless stories from their years in the hills.

many many dog photos. This guy at the temple was really sweet

Hard work carrying all that weight up and down the hills

No room for error


My spirit animal




Dharamshala
 
The home of the Dalai Lama and a large exiled Tibetan community. All the monks reminded me of my time in Laos. I had missed seeing them around. They add a vibe of tranquility.

Spin for good luck and fortune...I think

We need more ads like this in Canada


The view from my hotel balcony

the Dalai Lama's monastery
(this monk had a striking resemblance to the legend himself)

No way I was missing out on the momos
Dalhousie

Often referred to as the Switzerland of India. I met some locals here who invited me camping. It was an amazing experience and probably a top three highlight of my time in India. I am so appreciative of the hospitality they showed, and wish more people follow their lead to be kind to strangers.


Great beer!

sunrise views from the campsite

No shortage of statuses dedicated to Ghandi

Khajjiar is thought to have been created from a meteor
 
Masala chai to wind down for the day


The campsite (I had to do very little work)



The last post for the India series will be PUNJAB!

Sunday 9 July 2017

Blog Post #43 - Laid Back in Southern India

The second leg of my Indian adventure took me on a flight from Delhi to Trivandrum. The city is the capital of the southern state of Kerala. 

Some of the highlights include:
  • Seeing a wild tiger at the end of a safari outside of Mysore
  • Taking a houseboat with a group of Australians and introducing them to the card game "Exploding Kittens"
  • An amazing sunset at the top of the monkey temple in Hampi
  • Grooving to trance music at the spiritual home of DJs Above & Beyond, Anjuna Beach!
  • Body surfing in the big, warm waves of Varkala
  • Getting my future predicted by magical shells and a crazy man in a back alley of Kochi

Varkala

A relatively quiet beach. A much needed first stop after the streets of Delhi
talk about a front yard view!

The backwaters of Kerala

The cows even take over the waterways

"I am the captain now!"
Boats with cows should watch out 
A nice parking spot

Nice evening drive with bae
Kochi

Cheating with some big nets
Lots of cool graffiti and art installments in the city

Mysore

"buddy, you're drivin through the wrong neighborhood <insert gang sign here>"

some mean looking dude yelled at me when I took this picture...so I ran haha

Mysore Palace, not a bad place to call home, but you'd need an army of cleaners
Hampi

And I thought Calgary traffic inched along


He's busy working in the heat and I am relaxing in the shade...

....but can you blame me! :O

submitting this one to Nat Geo

So far my favorite sunset. Had to work for it.
Tough climb in the heat.

Some beautiful old ruins in Hampi.
Over 500 years ago this was the capital for much of the Indian subcontinent

The good thing about 40+?
Only the tough tourists and locals are out and about

I love the people stories. This woman and her husband are two of many travelling nomads that roam the paddy fields with their goats. The farmers love the natural fertilizers and the goats love the rice. Who doesn't?!


Goa


The locals are the only people working hard in Goa

The Kite Runner will be an especially memorable book
(amazing even without the drink and beach!)
cheers to new friends!

Standard "chill" beach in Goa

Nailed the colourful outfit

Revisit the blog in a week for probably my favorite part of the India adventure....Himachal Pradesh (the central Himalayas) and Punjab! <3

For any friends from Calgary, have an awesome stampede week (or enjoy relaxing away from it)!!