New York, New fucking York!

Hey team.

I had written a really long post in my book last night, but I think I will save it. It involved cows and Indian wisdom.

I will keep this short. I am finally leaving Jaipur about a week earlier than planned. The reason? Well, that French guy I met who I got on with? It turned out he is actually leaving today and going to Pushkar and then North to Dharamsala which is the two places I wanted to visit. He is very knowledgeable about both areas (I can leave the Lonely Planet in my bag) and can take me to friendly faces, jam sessions and cheap accommodation. Plus it gives me someone to travel with on these lonely bus and train journeys.

Teena was quite upset. It was obviously out of the blue and a bit shocking. She actually had tears in her eyes, bless her. It is hazardous spending too much time in one place - it makes it harder to leave for you and the people you befriend! Most of you can probably recall the drawn out process of my leaving England! It took about two weeks to say bye to everyone, and I didn't even manage it.

So I told her first thing this morning. We abandoned the music lesson, and as a gesture of good grace, I spent the lesson helping her with her English vocabulary. I then had to go to her house to say bye to her family and pick up my passport (which I decided was safer there than in my hotel).

After this, I leave today for Pushkar (unfortunately missing the camel festival), then planning to go to Delhi for Diwali, then up to Dharamsala. That is the plan, let's see if, for once, I can stick to it...

I guess I wasted too much money on my tuition considering I didn't take full advantage of the time, but I feel like I have learned the warm up techniques which improve my voice, and I have some basic rudiments for tabla. And, despite being expensive for India, it was hundreds of times cheaper than learning back home. Plus, I have been dying to leave this polluted, unfriendly city for ages and get some peace. MSN conversations with Clare and Bailey helped spur me also. Thanks for that.

Just read an email from the Morden Tower, Newcastle. A Hawk and A Hacksaw and Alisdair Roberts are playing. In a room of about 40 people. Shit! It's not enough to bring me home...however, I believe Dirty Three are playing soon in Newcastle? Someone tell me they are going! It will be awesome.

Ok, until the next time.