Your Mum(bai)

Ok, things are definitely looking up.

Just moved hotels. This one is ten times (!) cheaper. Fair enough, it's a shared dorm, and there is no TV or airconditioning, but it's fine as I've already befriended four of the people in the room, and who comes to India to watch TV? Not I.

Dealing with beggars and touts is becoming so much easier. It was my first concern. People always hassling you for money. Of course the minute you give a moment's attention (let alone a penny) to one, you will be swamped. So they try once, they try twice, probably a third time. Then they go. By all means I can feel sorry for them - heck I can even get involved in voluntary work (later, mind) but I can't give them shit.

North or South is the question. Goa (South) is the first option. My two current buddies, Paul and a Canadian guy called Charles (the ultimate well-travelled, Canadian, reformed-stoner, Road Trip! kinda dude) are going to Goa. So, I would have company, but they want to go in the next couple of days and I'm quite enjoying Mumbai. Besides, everyone I have spoken to so far has already been north and can recommend various things. Varanasi, for example, is apparently big on music. Guitar buying and singing tuition is available. And that is what I want.

One thing I am struggling with somewhat is general chit chat. All the travellers I am meeting, despite being lovely, talk about two things only. One - their travels. And two - politics (the economic situation in bits of Africa I know nothing about, some killing somewhere in a place I never knew existed...etc). Now, this is cool. But it makes participating in such conversations quite difficult. What can I contribute?

"Yeah, man, the preparations for the trip went ok. And I had to say bye to everyone. Which was hard. And the flight - shit, that was fine. Guess what, got jetlag though. Couldn't sleep a wink! And, Mumbai's nice. You guys seem pleasant." And so on. Doesn't make for interesting banter.

And as for politics and world affairs - ok, it shows a gap in my knowledge. The world. There is a gaping chasm in my knowledge - the entire planet. But jesus, bear with me. I haven't subscribed to the New Internationalist and I don't enjoy getting angry reading political blogs. Does that make me a bad person?

Hmm.

I just want people to stop taking themselves so seriously. Don't take me seriously. However spiritual and karmic and full of shit I become from this trip - I hope I am still able to cast ironic glances at myself. "Ooh, look, you're in India. Wooooow. You're sooooo cooooooool." Etc.

I don't need to find inner peace. I just wanna learn some stuff. Singing, cooking, massage. Sitar. (Yes!) And see some things. Meet some people.

Right. Ok, I am aware that this blog is becoming slightly rambly and incoherent. But I am under a lot more pressure to do it quickly. I have my two buddies waiting for me. They look well bored and would rather walk around in the sun.

Fair enough.