Guns 'N' Moses

This was my day today. Western Wall and more old City walking. Once again I still feel like death warmed over. Not sure what it is, but something is sucking all of my energy and appetite. I forced myself to eat at one point and then promptly felt like ass. However, I soldier on.

This place is like a circus. Build a big wall around a city, divide it into four sectors of maze-like streets, and then add in Christians, Jews, Muslims and Armenians. That is the current state of Jerusalem. Down all of the main streets are stores and stalls selling the worst bastardization of their history imaginable. Guns' N Moses T-shirts, Jesus bobble heads next to Hassidic Jew bobble heads. On the walls, graffiti protesting a Free Gaza and Palestinian state.

However, I still like it here. The history is undeniable. I am staying in a hostel on St. Mark Street and my dorm room is an old cathedral of a long defunct Christian Church.

The Holy Land

After a hellishly early flight from Delhi, I arrived at Amman Jordan finally. My trip is winding down and I am having mixed feelings about it. I'll start by saying that I love the Middle East. The people are friendly, the food is pretty decent and the views are amazing. The down side is that the cost is relatively high.

I stayed in Amman for a few days, mostly due to the fact that after I settled into my hotel I had a bout of the traveler sickness. I am fully blaming it on India. After I had that wrapped up it was off to Jerusalem Via the King Hussein Bridge (and through the West Bank) The crossing really wasn't as bad as everything I have read made it seem. Sure there were infinite passport checks, big guys with bigger guns and a plethora of searches, but in all I made the trip in about 4 hours.

So here I am, sitting in a hostel in the old part of Jerusalem, spending three days here and then off to Ramallah in The West Bank for a couple more before hitting Jordan again for Petra, The Dead Sea, and Wadi Rum. Till next time...

Last Day In India

A common sight in Pahar Ganj and all of Delhi, a cow lazily relaxes while daily life goes by without concern.
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I didn't give Delhi a fair shot. I will be right upfront about that. I came here are a very good time in South East Asia and was riding the high of good travel with friends. I came here and it was not what I was expecting. It was dirty, busy and full of touts.

After hanging out with Brent for a couple days, I realized that not all of Delhi is like Pahar Ganj. There are parts that are actually nice. And even some of the local people are really cool and not just out to get your money. For example, on the bus ride back from Jaipur I met a local who shared a taxi with me to Pahar Ganj and when I offered to pay for it, he rufused to accept anything.

I was close-minded and it led to me having a bad few days. Here is to the real Delhi. Chalk full of cows, cars and garbage. In all its fun glory.

India-argh

Well, I am in India. I've been here since the 11th. I started in Delhi and am now in Jaipur. It is hot. Really hot. But it is a different hot than South East Asia because the humidity is way lower.

My initial reaction of India, based solely on Delhi was that I hated it. It is by far my least favorite place that I have ever been. It is busy on a scale that I have never seen (and I was in China on New Years), the streets are made of dirt and garbage, there is cow shit everywhere as the cows roam the streets at night, the people are superficial and only look to sell you stuff. That was Delhi. Jaipur is better but I still have the feeling that most people are just trying to sell stuff. Think of Bangkok's Khao San Road but pushier touts and the streets full of cow pies.

I am trying hard to like it here. I really am. It is hard though when as soon as one walks out of their hotel, they are approached by people instantly asking where you are from, calling you friend and basically getting too personal.

On the food side, it is just ok. I am finding most of the food on the bland side. To get authentic, I have been doing everything that my health officials told me not to do. I have been eating at street side markets and hole in the wall places.

On the bright side, I leave for Jordan on the 27th. The downside, I leave at 5:30 am and since it is international it means I have to be at the airport at 3:30 am.

Solo Again

Common transport in Bangkok. Not recommended however...
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This guy was raving like a mad lunatic. That however, is pretty much standard for the streets of Khao San Road. Depravity reigns supreme. Tuk Tuk? Ping Pong? You want it, you can get it.
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So I have left the beaches of Vietnam, the cheap ($40) tailored suits, the even cheaper beers. I am back in Bangkok, waiting on my India visa. After I grab a hold of that, I'll soon be on my way to Delhi. Ever slowly I am making my way back to Canada. Then I have to go about figuring out what I will do with myself. Maybe I'll be a bum.