North then

Well, after some deliberation, I have made the arbitrary decision to go north! I'm getting a whopping twenty hour train journey to Jaipur - another 'bustling, smoggy city'. But apparently near by there is interesting stuff to see. I'm going with Canadian buddy, Chuck. Which means I can ease the pain of a potentially dazzling experience of trying to navigate my way through a confusing rail network.

The more I talk to other travellers (especially those heading home, or those on short trips who get really jealous) the more I am getting excited about the trip. It is starting to take shape. Not to the point of having a route - but to the point of actually having some places to get excited about with ideas of what to find there and where to go. I want to go everywhere. The bug has bitten.

Plus, the bugs have bitten. I have some tasty mosquito bites. Yum. Mosquito repellent doesn't do shit. What a rip off.

What generally amuses me about Mumbai is the pace. As you try to navigate your way through the city, you risk your life every time you cross the road. Everyone is in such a rush! Taxis speed past you, beeping their horns constantly to remind you (in case you had forgotten) that it would hurt if you were in the way of one. People on bikes and people running all over the shop.

However, get in doors and it's a different story. You try to buy a train ticket - there's half an hour you'll never see again (not that you would want to). Everyone moves at half a mile an hour. You have to get very patient. Which is cool - I can be patient, but please let there be air conditioning!

Anyway, I need to go prepare for my first of many long journeys. Let's hope I don't get all my shit stolen this time around.