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Teva's Travels
Hello from Goa.
I have added plenty of Pictures, and thought I should add a few words to keep you all updated. I have thought of it meny times, but after waiting for the pictures to upload the last thing I want to do sit in front of a computer when the sweet sweet sun is calling my name. I swear these are the slowest computers in the world, which is fine, as there are far more importent things to be doing with my time. None the less, let me tell you whats been happening.
So, arrived in Bombay with nothing but my wit and charm (for what thats worth), a desire to see India, learn the culture and not get ripped off. Easier said then done, but I'll give it my best. The two hour taxi ride from the airport was my first taste-the cars, trucks, bikes and carts who all use he same road seemed to weave amongst each other in a seamless flow that would appear to be complete chaos were it not for the fact every time I was convinced the vehicles would colide, a gap would appear from nowhere. Don't get me wrong, cars do crash, often, and such mishaps are always solved with a good old fashioned lynching. Should the police try to intervine, it is likely they will end up in casualty with the rest of them. I bricked it for about 15 minutes, then let my fear go and allowed my self to trust this little fellow driving the taxi. He knew what he was doing, and that was enough for me.
I stayed in Colaba, the tourist hot spot of Bombay, got my bearings and started to study up on the old Lonely Planet, a blessing a curse all in the rolled up 1000 pages of information. Essential for any plans to materialise, but restricting at times- it becomes your little tour giude, but also for the other 50 thousand visiors as well. I planed to stay in Bombay for a day or two, but on the first night a movie scout offered me a days 'experiance' on a Bollywood film set, all transport and food covered, plus the handsome wage of 500 Rp. (about 7 quid). These guys are good-spot the new tourest in town (pale skin, clean cloths and a big gullable grin gives it away every time) and makes an offer you can't refuse. Should you ever find yourself in my shoes, say no, walk away and enjoy a extra day of your life.
I can only decribe the set as something from a primary school christmas pagent, the dancers couldn't dance and the star was a british born Indian who's idolised Peter Andre and serenaded us with N'sync's back catalogue at any oppertunity. Twat.
however,we westerners entertained ourselves by really getting in to charactor and making the most of what little parts we had. I should add we were all being paid half the going rate for Indians-I guess it makes up for all the forigners in the uk on minimum wage. Karma gets us in the end. But by the end of the day it was beyond a joke-14 hours at 50p an hour, i suppose in this business you have to start somewhere.
I spend the rest of my time in Bombay exploring the back streets, finding great beauty in these very poor areas. It is easy to see past the dirt if you don't have to live in it. But the people are happy, always smiling and, as these wern't tourist zones, there wasn't the constant offer of useless goods and illict services. Seriously, what I am I going to do with a six foot luminous belloon, eh? And theres only so meny times you can refuse a little 'smoke, smoke'.
Any way, three days of seeing the sites was enough for me. Bombay is a beautiful city, its buildings are stunning, a constant reminder of the British Raj, its people friendly and once you get past the touts are extreamly pleasent to be with. But I needed quiet, and to relax for a while, So to Aurangabad for some culture and goa for some Chill.
To be continued, that sun wants me and i want her back.
Cheers for now
Teva
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