Road Tripping, France, August 2010

Despite being allergic, I love oysters and couldn't resist
these fresh-as-you-like specimens!

It had already been a lengthy journey and we were still at least four hours from our destination.  My best friend and I were holed up in her Micra, Jimmy, to escape from the mundane routine that had been our summer so far.  It had been a spur of the moment decision, (so spontaneous in fact that we had left without checking my Tesco tent was fully equipped; it wasn’t, the pegs had mysteriously gone walkabout).  We had managed to enlist the company of our travel companions from the previous year’s Asian adventure, who also shared our passion for discovering local delicacies (much cheese eating and boozing would ensue).  The motorway was stretched out in front of us, leading to a horizon which glistened in the scorching afternoon heat. Despite the Saharan conditions inside the car we were both smiling as we sped through the golden French countryside, bristling with anticipation.

Dinan

We hadn’t planned anything; deciding we were grownups who could 'figure it out' when we got there- wherever ‘there’ happened to be.  Arriving at a campsite and negotiating a pitch at the height of the summer season proved more difficult than we thought, it would seem the French are a nation who camp.  Unsurprising really when you consider the perfect weather, striking landscape, and extortionately priced pensions.  La Rochelle is a typical coastal resort; a comfortable mix of historical buildings, seafood restaurants and sandy enclaves.  The wind was deceptive and we lived up to our ‘Rost Bif’ reputation in a more literal way than usual.

After a couple of days we headed northwards along the coastal road, or at least what the 10 year old road map, gifted from my parents, sold as a coastal road.   Vannes is hillside settlement, with winding streets and attractive architecture.  We were lucky enough to catch the weekly food market so could observe the locals bustle through their daily lives, literally arguing over the price of fish.  They evoked a passion for fresh produce that is lacking in the supermarket food halls of the UK.  We were addicted to this ideology and as we sat in a café, soaking up the morning sunshine, we hatched a plan to return; the travelling Olde English Tea Shoppe was obviously a plan that was destined for instant success.  

Dinard

We had agreed to meet a friend in St Malo, so our pilgrimage towards the Brittany coast continued.  We stopped inland at Dinan which boasts a beautiful and well preserved Roman aqueduct, a crumbly medieval town and a quaint riverside marina.  Here we discovered that cider, (our university tipple of choice) is actually traditionally served warm, out of wide brimmed mugs.

Dinard is stuck, magically, in the 1900s.  Blue and white striped beach tents flap along the sea shore, as briny sea froth crashes, rustling and hissing, onto the grainy yellow sand.  Seagulls cooing overhead.  Everything is sand castles and candy floss; you can almost hear the organ grinder echoing through time. 

Cathedral at Bayeux

It was then a race against time to get back to Dunkirk to catch the ferry; barely squeezing in the Bayeux Tapestry and the D-Day beaches until we raced up the gangway into the bowels of the ship.  We were exhausted but content; 6 days, 1200 miles, and more history than you could shake a stick at.

6 months, 2004-2005

When I was 18 I went travelling for the first time.  I went for 6 months and was thoroughly, and joyfully unprepared.  I hadn't even looked at a guide book, but that just added to the adventure.  Now everyone seems to be jetting off for exotic escapades, but things have changed.  The facebook phenomenon ensures that I know exactly what people are doing at any given time (and in any given time zone), as well as the regular emails and text messages.  I sent just 3 emails in 6 months and had not too many more conversations with my parents on the phone.  Telecommunications just didn't have the capacity they do now and to top it all were expensive, so I had to keep it short and sweet. 

Peru: land of the Incas

I flew into Lima but didn’t spend very much time there overall.  First, I travelled to Cusco to hike and see Machu Picchu; eventful to say the least, the bus journey was 24 hours and unheated.  When I was on the trail I managed to fall through a bridge, and when we got to Machu Picchu it was raining and I couldn’t see anything!  After that we missed the train back to Cusco, bribed a security guard to get us on the next one, and spent the whole night learning the perils of drinking at altitude. Then it was down to Puno and Lake Titicaca which is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been, the lake actually sparkles.  Not forgetting the local joke, the titi's on our side the caca in Bolivia!   Also, Pisco Sours,  which consist of Pisco (the local spirit), lemon juice and egg white, like the alcoholic version of a lemon meringue pie.

Bolivia: cheap, cheap, cheap

I only spent 4 days here which isn't really enough. La Paz is the highest capital in the world but it’s a bit too sprawling for my liking, Copacabana on the other hand is everything you'd want of a lakeside resort.  It’s also on Lake Titicaca but its warmer than in Peru.  I travelled around with an Ozzie for 2 weeks which was cool but he went back to America after Bolivia.

Ecuador: could anything else go wrong?

Basically, it was a disaster from beginning to end. I didn’t get stamped across the border so spent 8 hours at immigration in Quito, I then had to bribe a bus company to give me a ticket to prove I didn’t come across illegally (which I didn’t by the way). In Quito, I got my drink spiked but luckily was with friends so all was well...eventually...when I finished throwing up. There was an upside to the trip, I stayed in the jungle, taught English at the local school, swam in the Green Waterfall and made chocolate!

Brazil

Rio is amazing; the beach is actually full of body builders which are just hilarious to watch as they strut around in Speedos looking ridiculous. I only spent one day here as the Iguaçu Falls are 24 hours away and were supposedly a must-see. They were SPECTACULAR, the most incredible things I’ve ever seen in my life EVER!  Niagara eat your heart out, everyone must MUST go see these in your life time; they are huge and there are miles of them.  We went on a speed boat under one and got completely drenched and I walked around in a towel for the rest of the day but well worth it!

Chile

Santiago is a huge city with lots of hills and not much else going for it. The nightlife is perpetual but it’s nothing like the rest of South America, it’s just too like Europe. Although, they did invent the hot dog, not just your average frankfurter in a bun, oh no, add onion, avocado  mustard and ketchup and you have yourself the Italiano! 

Sydney

Apart from nearly getting arrested for narcotics smuggling the excitement here was minimal.  The Opera House isn’t even white, which completely scarred me; I think they must use tip-ex or something on the postcards.  Plus when I arrived they were meant to be in a drought that had gone on for the last couple of years, as soon as I stepped off the plane it rained continuously for a week (this is a pattern I’ve been noticing I think I should loan myself out to farmers- freak weather conditions follow me around)!  Even the infamous Bondai wasn’t that great- its tiny.

New Zealand: dancing dolphins and wondrous whales

I thought seeing as it was so close it would be wrong of me not to visit and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made so far. It is so beautiful...I can’t even begin to tell you about the landscape or the people or anything because you just wouldn’t believe me! I only did the South Island and was only there for 10 days but I packed in dolphins, whales, a skydive, hot springs and a night at Dunedin Uni.

Brisbane: to be sure, to be sure

Even though it rained for a lot of the time I still love Brisbane.  It’s got everything a big city has without being a big city (I’m starting to sound like a tourist information desk- sorry).  I stayed for ages and for most of the time was the only English person as the rest were Irish.

Byron Bay: surfs Up

I learnt to surf which has been one of the highlights, I wasn’t very good but a good surfer always blames the board, the wind conditions or the sea, well I blame all 3!

East Coast: backpacker paradise

In true backpacker tradition I travelled up the East Coast with the rest of the lemmings, but had an utterly insane time. Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world (I think) and there are no roads, so you just drive around in a 4WD and camp on the beach.  It’s also the only place with pure bred Dingo’s (a fact I'm sure you'll never forget).  Then it was off to the Whitsundays; a group of islands in the Great Barrier Reef national park.  They were untouched and it was the most relaxed 3 days of my life- we stayed on a boat and snorkelled.  I did a dive, another thing I’m not very good at but it was fun all the same.

Adelaide, Melbourne and The Great Ocean Road

I flew into see Ben (as in Goldfish) and found he was in the middle of some exams so thought I’d leave him in peace and bugger off to Melbourne (it sounds close, it’s not, it’s a 12 hour bus ride).  No one I spoke to could say a bad word about Melbourne and although it was nice I didn’t really find much to do.  To get back to Adelaide you can go along the great Ocean Road which is spectacular, built by WW1 vets (an impressive feat as all they had was shovels) and it takes 3 days.

Bali

It all started in Bali, where, despite everyone’s good advice it all went a bit tits up- the weather was crap (it was the rainy season), there were no other back packers (well none where I was) and I was trying my hardest to bargain but to no avail. Everyone was generally being un-cooperative but other than that Bali is great! I finally saw rice paddies cut into the mountains which were beautiful and sunrise from the top of Mt Bator was breathtaking.

Thailand: land of the smiles

I lost my nerve a bit after Bali so decided to invest in a Lonely Planet, I know I’m such a hypocrite after all I’ve said about but it seemed like the only way I would survive.  Luckily all my fears were misplaced as Thailand is one of the most backpacker friendly places I’ve been.  Bangkok was insane; its busy, dirty and noisy but has excellent shopping and more beautiful Buddhist temples than you can shake a stick at...I was utterly templed out by the end.  I started by going up to Chaing Mai in the north where I climbed the highest mountain in Thailand (not a great feat), elephant trekking, and bamboo rafting. As you can imagine the views from the top were amazing and the bamboo rafting hilarious, I don’t know how we stayed so dry!  I then headed down to the islands to warm up. Koh Samui was like something out of a dream, I had an A-frame bungalow actually ON the beach, I could open my door and watch the sunrise while I was lying in bed!  I spent Christmas and not forgetting the full moon party on Koh Pangang. Although the party was great it was tinged in sadness and worry for some because it was on the night of the Tsunami, I was so lucky no one I know was hurt and that I was over the other side of Thailand, I wish everyone could say the same.

New Delhi

I travelled back to Bangkok and flew to Delhi which is another kettle of fish completely.  At first I really like India, Delhi has loads to do and see and its nothing like anywhere else in the world however, it was hard work being constantly pestered to buy things, or talk about different cultures or just generally being unashamedly stared at because you’re a western female travelling alone. A lot of the time I just felt threatened.

Varanasi: city of the dead

Varanasi is the strangest place- those who have died are ritually burnt here on the banks of the Ganges and even though there’s a constant stream of dead bodies being carried through the streets it all seems quite normal.

Agra: ode to love

Whoever says the Taj Mahal is 'just a building' obviously hasn’t been and doesn’t have a clue what they're talking about. Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building, in fact anything that isn’t the Taj Mahal palls in comparison.  It gives me faith in men and love but also the general brilliance of some people to create something like that!  Unfortunately my camera also decided to give up the ghost!

Jaipur: The Pink City

Jaipur, The Pink City...or not. It was decidedly orange, I wasn’t too impressed, as well as suffering with food poisoning which I’d acquired in Agra, the rickshaw drivers seemed to see me as an easy target so I thought my last week needed to be more relaxing so I headed to Goa, a 2 day trip on the train.

Goa: beach, beach, beach

Goa is gorgeous but also full of English tourists, and generally not the best kind. Prices are seriously inflated because of the holiday makers but still nothing beats getting up at 5.30 am to see the fishing boats come in. Bartering over the price of fish and then cooking and eating your purchase on the beach.

So then it was just a case of getting back to Bombay, doing the last bits of shopping and getting on the plane home.  It’s so weird to be back but I’m glad all at the same time...India was beginning to get me down a bit but I still wouldn’t trade the experience for anything!

Flower of Scotland

Twice a year I spend a few days in Scotland visiting relatives.  Despite having never lived north of the border, there is an atmosphere reminiscent of a homecoming about the trip.  Maybe it’s because everyone sounds like my parents, or maybe it’s something altogether more spiritual; a feeling that here, in the land of my forefathers, I belong.  There is a particular routine that I adhere to which adds to the sense that I’m a local.  First it’s to Miss Cranston’s Tea Room; the upstairs café’s warm yellow walls brighten even the grimmest Glasgow afternoon and the tinkle of cutlery and friendly chatter lulls you into a cosy and familiar tranquillity.  Everything on the menu has a maternal homeliness; from the miniature scotch pies to the light and airy fruit scones.  I always have the same thing: haggis and clapshot (aka neeps’n’tatties) bathed in rich, silky gravy.  Haggis gets such a bad rap, it has as much to do with sheep’s stomachs these days, as sausages have with pigs intestines.  I am on a mission to educate people of this scotch classic of spicy mince and barely, not dissimilar to shepherd’s pie (only a thousand times tastier).  Saying that there is nothing wrong with spinning the tale that the haggis is a small, squirrel like creature, with two legs longer than the others to make running round the hills of the highlands that much easier.  Unsuspecting American tourists beware. 

After lunch my day of gastronomy has only just begun, but I have to earn the fish supper with potato fritters that’s coming my way later.  I take the clockwork orange (the metro system’s affectionate, if not somewhat disconcerting nickname) to Byers Road, the district encircling the university.  The streets here are lined with boutiquey vintage shops and tea rooms.  I love to rummage through piles of bric-a-brac and clothing, in drafty warehouses, hidden down side streets to find that buried gem; an antique silver ring, or a vintage evening dress.  Today it is raining.  Rains that, I will find out tomorrow, have caused the Clyde to burst its banks and caused general travel chaos.  The smooth, flat paving stones that are typical of Glasgow city are swimming with torrents of cascading water. 

So onto Motherwell which, according the recommendations of no less than Rick Stein, has one of the finest fish restaurants in Scotland.  I, however, never frequent this particular establishment and instead opt for the Chinese-fish shop-take away located at the entrance to my Grandma’s  tower bloc.  If I’m feeling gluttonously indulgent I may even chose a deep fried mars bar (yes they do exist) accompanied by vanilla ice cream. 

Last stop, Edinburgh.  Always a fleeting stopover before I catch my flight.  Another excuse to sit down with tea and cake.  Then a mad dash to find boxes of Edinburgh rock, filled with sugary, pastel coloured morsels that melt on the tongue. 

Two Weeks in Turkey, October 2011

Blue Mosque

When I told people I was going to spend a fortnight in Turkey I was met with a certain amount scepticism.  To be fair to those who thought that I may prefer an altogether less tame option, I could see where they were coming from.  According to the Foreign Office, Turkey is the holiday destination of choice for over 2.6 million Brits.  The coastline is littered with resorts advertising beautiful beaches, as many activities you could shake a stick at, and most importantly cheap alcohol; the polar opposite of my wish list when looking to relax.  I’d had a couple of recommendations; both of these from Yorkshiremen, the county's reputation was on the line…no pressure.

I’d read the minimal before arriving in Istanbul, I hate ruining the surprise, and booked a hostel in the shadow of the blue mosque and Aya Sofia, in the old town of Sulthanemet.  I woke up to streaming sunshine and a spectacular view of the minarets, set to a backdrop of flawless blue sky.  Breakfast on the terrace: a Turkish standard of a creamy feta-type cheese, cold hams, boiled eggs and weak coffee, meals throughout the day only improved.  I headed towards the mosques which are both gargantuan.  The inside of the blue mosque (which is free to enter) is beautifully decorated with intricate florals and stained glass; which lent the atmosphere a soft and inviting glow.  Despite the hubbub from the thousands of tourists swirling around you, the height if the domed ceilings seemed to absorb the commotion, it’s not hard to feel a sense of calm. 

Next I headed down the hill into the maze of streets which would lead me to the shores of the river Bosphorus.  The bridge which links the two sides of the city is a tumult of activity:  restaurants buzz on the lower level while amateur fishermen hang their lines from the upper.  There was more than one occasion I had to duck to avoid walking into a fish being hauled up from the glistening waters below. 

The mountains of Cappadocia were next on my itinerary.  After an erratic bus ride, (these coaches boast wifi and personal TVs and yet no toilets, the bus stops every few hours for a loo break; frustrating if, like myself, you can easily sleep straight through an overnight journey) I awoke to a moonscape.  The geology of the region is unique; a combination of soft basalt deposits, harsh winds and extreme temperatures have caused rippling undulations  to traverse cliff faces and towering spires of rock to majestically rise from the valley floors like the discarded columns of ancient temples from some prehistoric race of giants.  There are so many points of interest there was nothing for it but to join the hordes and book myself on a day tour.  The highlight was undoubtedly the underground city which was a labyrinth of tunnels burrowed as deep as 60m into the earth.  There are more than 20 subterranean refuges in the region, which would conceal the indigenous population from invading forces for up to 6 months at a time.  They come complete with churches, wineries (yes, more than one, although it is hardly surprising if you have to hide underground for months on end) and livestock stalls but, as seems to be a theme in Turkey, no toilets. 

Another nocturnal drive later and I was stood at the bottom of what looked to be a mountain of brilliant white meringue.  The pale, early morning sunshine highlighted the glimmering azure water that was cascading down the slopes and gathering in terraced pools, a stark contrast from the surrounding valley of rust blushed hills.  The spa town of Pamukkale has been lauded for the healing properties of the hot springs since the Romans; who, incidentally, have left many things lying around which are certainly worth a look.  I was through the entrance gates before 8am and as a result was able to luxuriate in the pools in solitary peace.  I was surprised to discover that much of the mountain has been artificially constructed to protect the natural travertines; however this doesn’t take away from the sheer magnificence of the experience. 

I don’t think a holiday is ever truly complete without a couple of days at the seaside.  Unfortunately my timing is anything but impeccable, within 24 hours of arriving I  n the coastal town of Kusadasi the heavens opened and rain battered the shoreline.  I considered traveling north in search of sunshine but the forecast was anything but encouraging.  Kusadasi is nice enough; the beaches are OK, the bars and restaurants are suitably touristy, the nightlife is loud, the souvenirs expensive.  I discovered it is possible to get burnt on a cloudy day but other than that slouched around the hostel, watching films with the two other residents who were also weathering the storm.   

Shit, I’m swimming in the Amazon, Manaus, August 2008

Dear Jess and Kelly, alto cinqo.

Manaus is muggy.  Really muggy.  You can almost see the water droplets forming in the air in front of you.  I had flown in at dusk and as I waited for the airport bus the cloud filled sky changed from pink to purple.  Now I was on the ground I was confused; from the plane window all I saw was rainforest.  Just a vast expanse of green.  So now I was sitting in a concrete bus shelter, on a concrete road, outside a concrete airport with not a tree in sight, I was starting to question my sanity.  I mean, I knew Manaus was a city in the middle of the Amazon, but I hadn’t really expected a city.  More a large village.  Maybe even a small town at a push. 

The hostel was also puzzling, for a start it was packed.  I was sleeping on a mattress in a hallway.  Where had all these people come from?  Manaus is not easily accessible; one solitary road leads from Bolivia in the south, through to Venezuela in the North.  The boats that run along the river only leave every two days and the flight is ridiculously expensive.  At breakfast I did some detective work and discovered that everyone was there for a conference, a herpetology conference.  I recoiled.  Herpes required a whole conference?    No, don’t be ridiculous, herpetology is the study of amphibians and reptiles.  Of course.  I knew that.  The kind, if slightly pitying man who explained all of this to me was an American who specialised in frogs.  Conversationally I was up the creek without so much as a current, let alone a paddle, but he was on a role.  Who knew of the obstacles that poor field scientists such as himself faced on such a regular basis when trying have their extremely rare and previously undiscovered frog recognised.  The plebe in me couldn’t resist, I asked him to name his next new species after me, the Amandicus Rosicus or something along those lines.  I figured after the lecture I had had to endure for the past 45 minutes I was owed this much.  He laughed nervously.  Maybe not.

So onto the purpose of this trip.  The Amazon.  The mighty river we all learn about in school and the plight that the rainforest surrounding it faces.  I pictured myself, Indiana Jones style hacking my way through ancient creepers to the centre of the untouched jungle.  Of course I then proceeded to book myself on a very tame and touristy 3 day tour which involved a guided stroll and a boat trip.  Although not plush, the ‘retreat’ may as well have been 5 star luxury compared to some of the hovels I had been accustomed to previously; beds not hammocks, three square meals a day and a jetty from which to jump.  Yes that’s what I said, jump.  I was a little taken aback at this revelation.  “Jump” I questioned… “into that?”.  The river looks like something Oliver may have asked for seconds of, not to mention the beady marbled eyes of caiman, sloping lazily by, no doubt eyeing us up for their next meal.  I had been given all the assurances and I wasn’t going to be accused of packing my bikini for nothing.  So standing on the edge I took a deep breathe, closed my eyes ready to leap from the edge.  Then, out of the hut behind me ran three skinny white boys yodelling at the tops of their lungs, they passed me in a blur and catapulted themselves into the water.  Well, I thought, what a way to ruin a dramatic and life defining moment.  Now there was nothing more to do than preserve my dignity and hop in behind them.  The water was a lot warmer than I had expected, like a bath.  Probably due to the silt suspended around me as a floated, everything felt smooth and thick against my skin.  Then it suddenly struck me, here I was, in the middle of the rainforest, swimming in the Amazon.  Do things get better than this?  

Ode to Autumn

Autumn, the king of seasons.  Royal golds and regal reds set fire to the trees.  The weak morning sunshine streaming through the slit in my curtains is transformed to a warm glow.  You can hear this season, it whispers through cracks and under doors, or roars at you in open spaces.  You add you own accompaniments, the parched leaves shattering underfoot with a familiar crunch.  I live beneath two ancient oak trees and they release their acorns in one fail swoop every year.  Outside my front door lies nature’s answer to bubble wrap, the satisfaction of each step is toe curling.  Suddenly all I want is coffee; coffee while I’m sat in the sun, outside a café, snuggled into my hat and scarf.  Cheshire cat grin, squinting towards the sky.  Scarves.  What a revelation.  I relish the moment when I leave the house and think, ‘oooh now, that’s a bit fresh, better get a scarf’.  I have an entire draw devoted to this humble accessory (when you have limited wardrobe space this is excessive, trust me).  An addition to this addiction has been hats.  I lived for a long time under the impression that I wasn’t a ‘hat person’ (I am also not a sunglasses person, or a dog person) but I must overcome my fear, as frankly, hats are cool. 

As the months grow darker Autumn has not just one, but two festivals to lift your spirits.  As a child I would look forward to Halloween with all the excitement of Christmas.  Hours would be spent fantasising about my outfit.  On my first ever Halloween, my mother bought me a clowns costume.  There was a yellow and white plastic polka dotted bow tie, comedically oversized in comparison to my three-year-old head.  A wig of rainbow colours and obviously the obligatory face paint.  I must have cut a fearsome figure as the two little boys who arrived for a trick-or-treating excursion burst into tears when they saw me.  I am still somewhat contented with this memory.  Only a few days later you find yourself strategically choosing layers to ward off the frosty night air as you stand in a field, craning your neck upwards as explosions of colour shimmer against a slate black sky.  Is there something morbid about celebrating the failed attempt of essentially our first terrorist?  Burning effigies certainly have something of the macabre about them but I am quite happy to put these qualms aside if it means steaming bowls of chilli con carne eaten al fresco.  

Goodbyes

Goodbyes, an inevitability.  The stubborn bedfellow of freedom.  The shadow that looms on every horizon. 

I sat at the kitchen table watching him prepare breakfast.  Boiling water for tea, bread in the toaster.  The bright city sunshine streamed in the windows, lighting the room from all angles so nothing was in shadow.  The soft words and gentle sleep from the night had left him and he was once again a pillar of self-control, a wall as thick as concrete between us.  As he laid down a plate in front of me I looked up, searching his face for the emotions he had conveyed as we lingered on the darkened streets only a few hours ago.  His eyes darted and he took defiant strides away.  Where was that dream we had built, of hot and dusty cobbled alleyways, of shimmering shorelines, of shuttered rooms where only we would be?  I concentrated on a mark on the table, willing myself to accept that I had known this conclusion before this moment.  Did he sense the aching in my core?  He knelt beside my chair, his hands twisting my body so it was his turn to look up at me, his eyes were pleading, willing me to forget, not to remember.  Suddenly he stood, moving around in agitation, picking up this thing and that. I readied myself.  This was the beginning of our end, it was inevitable.  I stood patiently and he came to me.  The embrace was long; I clung to his neck as his hands grasped my frame, moving the length of my back.  My lips brushed the soft skin on his collarbone and I felt his breath by my ear.  I lowered my stance so my face nestled into his chest, arms round his waist wishing I could step back and let go.  I could feel the moistness of my eyes and hoped he wouldn’t see how I was struggling.  As he released his clasp he changed his mind and put his hand to my face, drawing it up to his.  I knew what he was doing, and knew I should stop it but I couldn’t.  His lips found mine and I just stood for a second, numbed by the action that took us so far from where we had been before.  We couldn’t control it or comprehend it so we gave in, timid at first and then wholeheartedly.  We broke off dazed, lungs vying for air, skin tingling. It wasn’t enough, would it ever be enough.  I had to stop, it had already too far, every fibre of my being wanted him.  I tried pushing him away, a feeble attempt but enough to remind myself I was in control I could stop.  I wouldn’t be a slave to the heat of my emotions.  I twisted beyond his reach and grabbed my bag, I regretted it instantly, but one of us had to.  Back to back we paused, the silence in the room grew heavier as the realisation of what had passed between us dawned.  He drew himself up, calmly with an elegant composure I envied.  How could he switch off, how could I not?  We finally walked through the door and traversed the street in silence.  A fork in the road, how fitting, his path one way, mine the other.  This time we didn’t wait, a rough kiss on the cheek barely acknowledging each other’s presence and he was gone.  Just like that he walked away.  I watched him for a second hoping he’d turn but his moves were certain.  And so I stood there alone, hating goodbyes.  

One Day, 15th July

My friends have found a new obsession.  In the past these phases have been centered around the strictly make believe; wizards and vampires.  I too have been swept along, swooning over R-Patz and idolizing Emma Watson, but this year’s fixation is getting under my skin, in all the wrong ways.  One Day by David Nicholls tracks the life of two friends over the course of a lifetime, by narrating the events of the 15^th July every year.  It sounds like a brilliant concept, even a brief description of the characters and plot line had me excited to get started.  Star crossed lovers, missed opportunities and gut wrenching endings are right up my street.  I have no problem bawling my eyes out at books, films, music, well anything really and I was guaranteed a good old cry.  Or so I was lead to believe.  I have shed tears, but only of frustration that I have embarked on this disastrous journey.  Put it down if you hate it, I hear you yell, but unfortunately this is not an option.  Once I start, I must finish (a mantra for all things).  I admit, maybe I’m a bit bitter.  Romance in real life is just not how it is in the movies (or novels for that matter).  Do men ever come good?  Do two people who have been skirting around each other for years really get it together?  Not a discussion for now.  There was one redeeming feature, it got me thinking…

15^th July 2004

10 days to go.  I’ve been waiting for five years for this and now it’s the final countdown.  I don’t know how I feel, I’m sure I will on the day.  The last two years have been a struggle; A levels, university applications, Milo.  Milo Milo Milo.  What will happen to us?  Of course we won’t last, but maybe we will.  I love him but he’s  a law unto himself.  I’ve spent hours of my life being stood up by him, speaking to his Mother about how he’d lost his phone…again, crying because I don’t understand why he can’t just put me first, just once.  I turn over in the dark and try to imagine myself in South America.  I haven’t even looked at a picture, or read a guide book.  Then I transport myself to Thailand, India, the Taj Mahal.  Will I meet people, will I get lost, will I meet someone else? 

15^th July 2008

Last day in Buenos Aires.  I love this city, I love this country, hell I love this continent, I want to live here forever.  Woody’s last day.  I am sad but it’s his own fault.  He chose his job over me.  Mendoza tomorrow, and then onto Santiago.  I remember Santiago from few years ago, or should I say I remember Paulo...  This trip took months to plan, this time I didn’t want to miss a thing, so I have an itinerary planned to the minute.  Next year will be stressful; finals and job applications so this summer is all my own, just to have fun.  Brazil was beautiful; the Campo Grande national park was teeming with wildlife, unfortunately only the backside of a capybara but supposedly they’re now in Edinburgh Zoo. 

15^th July 2009

Hoi An, Vietnam is so peaceful, an oasis of still and calm.  It is only Abbey and myself, this is the first time we’ve spent alone in a couple of weeks.  But what a fortnight it’s been.  We stroll down the river which is lit with the soft glow of Chinese lanterns strung across the fading paint of the colonial buildings, beer in hand, reminiscing.  It started in Vang Vieng, Laos on our friends Gemma’s birthday.  We sipped cocktails in the sunshine while floating down the river.  Later that evening, at dinner, Gemma rushed in to squeal my degree result at me; a first class honors with an award to boot.  I suffered for the celebrating, but Luang Prubang, with its glittering gold temples and flame red walls restored me.  I prayed, I’m not religious but it seemed the right thing to do in this pious town.  I thought of Wesley a lot, my partner in crime while I was a teenager, had died in January, suddenly.  He had always worn a St Christopher, like the one I wore now.  Then it was onto Halong Bay, Vietnam.  The Colombian, Nico had stolen the show despite the raw beauty of the rugged rock skyscrapers jutting majestically from the blue green depths of the sea.  We giggled conspiratorially at this, perched on a bench and opened another beer.

15^th July 2011

The ward is dark and silent.  Every now and then a nurse silently pads past my curtained cubicle.  I can hear her, but not see her.  The canulator in my wrist itches, and the tubes running out of it are getting tangled despite my stillness.  I had spent the week counting down the minutes for the weekend to finally arrive.  Instead of picking up my old friend Cheryl at the airport, and heading for Windsor for some royal history, or Oxford for Pimms on a punt, we had headed to hospital.  We hadn’t seen each other since Senegal in 2009, but I suppose there’s no better way to bond than 6 hours in a waiting room.  Luckily she’s a student of public health, and I was desperately trying to sell this as a learning opportunity.  And then there was tomorrow, it might still be redeemed.  He had seemed concerned on the phone, he had been away, I hoped he’d missed me. 

“Don’t die” he said, “or you’ll have me to answer to”. 

Rioting, London, England/Potosi, Bolivia, August 2009 and 2011

Destruction in Clapham.
Photo courtesy of friend in Clapham

If the media frenzy is to be believed, London has been in the clutches of violent rebels protesting against the iron grip of the British regime.  While this may not be completely accurate it is certainly fair to say that there has been unparalleled levels of anger expressed at all levels of society.  The question that permeates throughout is why?  Why did hundreds of young people choose to go out onto the streets of our capital and wreak havoc with baseball bats and pyrotechnics?  Disengagement has been cited, a generation of disaffected youths desperate to make sense of their worlds that are void of opportunity and increasingly ignored by the state.  Does this justify the millions of pounds worth of damage and the shattered lives of those who have lost everything?  In my opinion no it does not.  A friend of mine went into Clapham the night it was raided and describes the event as one of the most exciting occasions he’s witnessed.  This is unsurprising.  War zones are exciting.  Adrenalin is a drug and it is highly addictive.  I can only imagine the atmosphere created by hundreds of hormonally fuelled teenagers surging en masse, a multi headed hydra enveloping the deserted streets.  His most poignant observation was the looks of sheer joy radiating from the eyes of the masked marauders, like this was the greatest night of their short and uneventful lives.  For me this is just further proof that human selfishness knows no bounds.  I am a firm believer that in desperate situations people will act desperately especially if they feel they have no choice.  Are we to believe that in this case a new pair of trainers will solve the supposed entrenched insufficiency of these adolescents’ lives?  Or was the looting merely symbolic of a larger problem; neo liberalist consumerism being endemic within society?  No I don’t believe that either.  Whatever it was it was not desperation.  I have seen desperation and it isn’t sated with electronics and footwear.

Potosi, Bolivia, 2009. It was two days before the general election.  The people’s hero Evo Morales had thrown his hat into the ring for a second term in office.  Every spare inch of concrete had his political slogan scrawled across it.  Just as Pro Evo engenders every boys dream in my country, it also held within it the hopes of a nation.  Hopes that the rich ruling classes may be forced to distribute their wealth more evenly, to allow a chronically poor country to provide those basic needs such food and water to its stricken population.  Potosi is a silver mining town and for a small fee tourists can explore the labyrinth of tunnels whittled deep into the belly of the mountain, which was my reason for being there.  As I ascended the hillside with my guide, the town was readying itself for a party.  Coloured bunting was strung from balcony to balcony, the staccato rehearsals from brass bands, and everyone out on the streets in their Sunday best.  Whisky bottles tucked away in breast pockets, cigarettes lazily rolled between fingers.  My guide had tough, weather beaten, tan skin, and sparkling white teeth- Andean to a tee.  As we walked towards the bus stop he recounted his experiences of the mines.  He was an ex-miner who had seen the all-consuming nature of those who tirelessly work miles beneath the earth, carving out early graves.  He explained that despite the jubilant appearance of those on the street, tensions were rising and he advised that I could do worse than get on a bus to La Paz as soon as the tour was finished.  I didn’t understand and therefore didn’t listen.  Instead of being dropped back off at my hotel as my guide begged me to allow him to do I headed for the main square.  It was packed, the band I had seen earlier could be heard in the distance, heading up a parade that was moving away from the central plaza.  I zig zagged my way through the crowd assuming the festivities had begun.  I was wrong.  They weren’t euphoric carnival goers this was an angry mob and I had managed to get in the middle of it.  Luckily they were too busy chanting to take notice of me.  People were angry.  Really angry.  Clenched fists in the air accompanied a fury of words. As I was swept up the street the air began to fizz.  It was as if storm clouds were gathering on a blindingly hot summers day.  Right on cue the thunder roared except this was not Mother Nature but dynamite being blown up in a side street.  The crowd surged sideways away from the explosion which was followed by another and then another.  Onlookers ducked for cover and in the commotion I found myself on the ground struggling to get up.  I crawled and when I could, ran with no idea where I was going.  I caught my breath up against the wall of a boarded up bakery while others whizzed past my refuge.  My Spanish is minimal and my map was lost, there was nothing for it I had to go back the way I came.  I tried to skirt around the edges but with the possibility of exploding buildings I wasn’t sure if this was safest option.  I re-entered the main square at the same time as the band.  An official looking man in a suit and sash was walking up on stage and the crowd settled.  I was amazed that such a tense situation seemed to have dissipated when moments ago I thought I was witnessing the start of some sort of civil war.  Then I understood.  When your government isn’t listening and you’ll die before your thirtieth birthday from lung disease caused by your atrocious working conditions what can you do?  Nothing.  So instead you set off dynamite, shout at the top or your voice and wave your fists in the air because maybe someone will hear and maybe someone will listen.  That is desperation, desperation is hopeful and hope is free. 

Surprise Sierra Leone, March 2011

So I’m guessing when I say Sierra Leone you immediately think of blood diamonds (or conflict diamonds as sometimes referred to) but there is much more to Sierra Leone than just its horrific history.  It’s not really a surprise that these negative images spring to mind.  The film was brilliant but bloody despite the dodgy South African accents, and how could we forget the famous court scene with Naomi Campbell, who is seemingly embroiled in a high profile case concerning Charles Taylor and aforementioned rocks.  The subject of diamonds and their shady origins is emotive, I have several friends who refuse point blank to wear anything resembling bling out of principle and there are definitely worse things to take the moral high ground over but there is more to African conflict than just gemstones.  We live in a highly technological society and it is not uncommon for millions of people across the globe to replace these electronics frequently without any thought to recycling the old product.  What has this got to do with anything you may be asking, well quite simply everything.  Within most electronic products, whether it be your mobile phone or laptop, there are certain minerals which are predominantly found in Sub-Saharan Africa.  Armed groups will often control the mines and the people that live and work there with extreme violence, pressuring children to fight and women and young girls into indentured ‘marriages’.  There is no regulation of these minerals and there is no onus on electronics companies to keep supply chains clean- they simply want the cheapest product at the right place at the right time, and we as consumers allow this. 

The first thing I noticed as the plane descended onto the tarmac was green; lush emerald forests, marooned between sapphire deltas, surrounded the runway; not at all the arid wasteland I had envisaged.  The airport is situated on an island 20 minutes off the coast of Freetown so once I’d navigated the turbulent boat ride I was thrown into the heart of a bustling African town.  Rickety shacks lined the streets between once grand colonial mansions, interred behind imposing concrete ramparts.  There seemed to be people everywhere and the taxi moved only at a snail’s pace or maybe it was just that I hadn’t yet adjusted my internal clock to ‘Africa Time’.  I was given the weekend off before the real work in the mining town of Makeni would be starting so I headed straight for the beach.  The road was long, dusty and navigating it like a skier across moguls was slow.  Fruit stalls nestled into the trunks of trees, escaping from the blinding heat and children ran along the side of the 4x4 until their Mothers called them away.  Everyone was interested in a friendly chat, not because I was white quite simply just because I was there.  I was surprised by the honesty with which they spoke, no topic too uncomfortable and no anecdote without a lining of humour. 

We turned down an unmarked track through leafy forest until we parked up on the sand dunes.  The water was clear turquoise, and I could have been on a South East Asian island rather than West Africa.  The small restaurant adjacent was roasting lobster and shrimp on an open barbeque, the aroma of lime and chili wafting through the dusky air.  The sky was turning gold’s, reds and purples as the burning sun descended into the rippling water.  Along the shoreline, concealed and abandoned, hotels cast long shadows into the mangroves.  Most noticeable was the silence, we had the place to ourselves. 

Single in 2009...and 2011

So let’s start with the background I was 22 when I wrote this article and yet it is as relevant 2 years later as it was at the time. 

Single is an altogether new experience for me, as soon as I could have a boyfriend I did have a boyfriend, and in fact did not stop having a boyfriend until very recently.  This time, I thought to myself, things would be different.  I would not settle for ‘alright’ the thought ‘but we’re such good friends’ would not cross my mind and most importantly this time I knew he definitely wouldn’t change.  Sex in the City eat your heart out because I was going to have it all from outlandishly romantic dates to passionate uncomplicated sex with strangers.  Reader, you may have already guessed it but this is not exactly what came my way, in fact I was thrown into a twilight zone known as singledom, attempting to traverse the vast chasms between what I, the single female, wanted and what he, the single male was willing to give. 

Now to the outsider it would seem I live in an extremely privileged bubble, I have a lovely family and a tight knit group of friends however one key point separates me from them, they are all in stable and loving relationships.  Why is this so terrible I hear you cry from the stalls?  Is it merely that you are entrapped in a bitter cycle of man hate and self hate wishing destruction to all those around who dare feel this alien emotion also know as happiness?  No.  Quite simply no.  No from the tops of sky scrapers and the bottom of the sea.  I am quite happy to bumble along being surrounded by my gloriously infatuated friends and my oh-so-in-love parents, but it would seem that they are not so happy with this state to affairs.  The crux of the issue is that I am not merely Amanda, not even Amanda our single friend, but Amanda our novelty single friend.  I am the science project of people who should really know better.  Everyone is suddenly the expert inundating me with advice for how to handle the 18 to 30 year old man and quite frankly a lot of its conflicting and most of its rubbish (I am thankful nonetheless).   What gets me is the sheer quantity of technical terms that must be grasped; the one night stand, ‘seeing’ each other, fuck buddies, friends with benefits.    After playing with these ideas extensively and researching them thoroughly I have come to a conclusion, they are merely all contrived Neanderthal-reminiscent concepts developed to get into our knickers no matter what the occasion but making the poor floundering female believe that it was something completely different.  This probably didn’t take a rocket scientist to work out but in all honesty I was proud of my discovery and felt being single might not turn out to be the minefield I first envisaged.  Again my naivety shone out like a beacon, why could I ever believe it could be that easy.  Was it really such a mistake to bring him home?  Would he really not respect me in the morning/do I really care?  I couldn’t think of anything more ridiculous- surely the option of a relatively attractive girl putting out regularly for very little return was somewhat appealing?  No?  OK fine have it your way! 

If ONLY men were simply in it for the sex, life would be a walk in the park (or a romp in the bushes if you’d prefer).  So here is my last plea for some level of relationship where we can both be happy without me sleeping around excessively or having to get hitched… Single girl seeks single guy for fun, laughter, intelligent conversation and most importantly lots and lots of no strings sex!

Shopping in Style

Shopping has always been my nemesis.  The idea of trawling round the shops on a Saturday afternoon with the whole world and their prams makes my stomach turn.  The minute I step onto foreign soil however this fear would seem to dissipate and I am all too willing to spend hours burrowing through throngs of stalls to find the best souvenirs to bestow on friends and family.  Here are my top 5 shopping destinations.

Otavalo, Ecuador is the last word when it comes to shopping in South America.  It claims to be the biggest open air market on the continent and it wouldn’t surprise me if this title extended to the world.  There is a drawback; it is remarkably difficult to get to considering its infamy.  Negotiating buses in Ecuador can be a daunting experience at the best of times; there are decidedly less of the luxury liners that are so common elsewhere and the road to Otavalo is steep, narrow and long.  Placed two hours outside the capital Quito it is a destination in itself, but its remote location and lack of activities in the surrounding area means that visiting it on the way to elsewhere is out of the question.   The journey is worth it and you are thoroughly rewarded on arrival, stalls boast wares not only from Ecuador but a range of Andean nations so friends and family should not be disappointed with their gifts.

The Northern Quarter in Manchester, England is my northern home, I went to university here so it will always hold a special place in my heart.  Not only can it offer one of the best nights out it also has an exceptional array of boutiques and vintage stores; perfect to perfect your image.  My favourite has to be Small Gods, a cavernous space filled to the rafters with second hand items dating from every decade- one thing to remember ‘It’s second hand not vintage’!

If you’re looking for something really special, custom-made is the way to go and South East Asia has tailors on every corner willing to take your measurements and produce a seamlessly finished article in a mere 24 hours.  I had a suite made in Thailand in 2006 and it is still in box fresh condition after countless batterings in my washing machine, although Hoi An in Vietnam is more synonymous with this service, anywhere there are tourists there will be tailors. 

Porte de Clignancourt, Paris, France is a sprawling mass of paraphernalia from market standards such as knock off designer brands and ‘fell off the back of a lorry’ electronics mixed in with antique brik-a-brak, vintage clothing and furniture. 

Marrakesh, Morocco is the stuff of fairytales, the bazaar is a twisted mass of dim, labyrinth like alley ways so entangled that you could spend hours walking in circles without noticing.  Sunlight escapes through the rafters in the slatted roof illuminating polished silver lampshades and glittering stained glass ornaments.  Everywhere is alive with the buzz of chattered negotiations and in the distance the faint whistle of a snake charmers pipe.  Authentic?  Perhaps not, but the theatre of the experience is definitely unforgettable. 

 Photos to follow.

Fear and loathing in Queenstown, New Zealand, December 2004

I am chronically scared of heights, it’s a phobia that has developed and become more acute the older I’ve got.  I try and not let it stop me doing anything, I’ve been to the top of the Eiffel Tower, walked rickety bridges over cavernous ravines and even managed a sky dive, however there is one thing I’ve never managed; bungee jumping.

Queenstown, New Zealand is the centre of the universe when it comes to extreme sports.  In fact New Zealanders claim that it was one of their own who invented the bungee jump, and I think probably in the modern sense of the sport they did.  You can barely cross a bridge in this country without someone trying to fling themselves over the edge.  Originally jungle tribes would tie tree vines around their ankles and hurl themselves from tree tops as an initiation into manhood, thankfully nowadays there’s far less risk involved, that’s not to say there isn’t the occasional mishap. 

I had been stood nearly all day opposite the bungee platform.  I had watched as each person strapped themselves up in a complicated looking harness and shuffled their way to the edge.  It was a kind of torture as every time they paused on the precipice, my heart would beat so hard it would catch my breath and the same thought would circulate; why?  I had always thought I was brave, would throw myself into anything, dare myself or take up a challenge but the aching in the pit of my stomach was beyond the normal fluttering of butterflies.  Was it fear of dying?  I decided it must be but at the same moment the reasoning seemed absurd, who dies bungee jumping?  Despite myself I flinched as I watched another daring challenger succumb to gravity. I should probably just bite the bullet walk over to the booth, buy a ticket and climb the ladder.  

How often in life are we scared, and how often do we defy that fear?  Approaching someone in a bar, saving the spider in the bath instead of washing it down the drain or even doing the things you want rather than the things you think you should can all be terrifying.  If yesterday I could throw myself out of a plane with only a meager length of fabric separating me and terminal velocity surely I could put my trust in a piece of elastic?  When would I get this opportunity again?  Life was too short not to take a chance. 

With my mind made up I strode towards the bungee.  I was shaking by the time I got the bottom of the ladder which did not make securing the multitude of cords and clips any easier.  I stood at the lip of the podium, my toes curling over the edge of the smooth wood, swaying in the cool breeze.  I looked out onto the horizon, snowcapped mountains stretching across my eye line, and took a deep breath.  Remember what’s the worst that could happen…

Rainbows and Waterfalls- Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, September 2004 and July 2008

Devil's Throat

On my first trip to South America I arrived into Lima airport without having looked at a map, let alone a Lonely Planet.  I knew I wanted to see Machu Picchu and I also knew the Amazon rainforest was too far away.  Other than those two thoughts I hadn’t given any attention to what I was going to do, so when someone suggested in Rio that there were some waterfalls on the border with Argentina I was only too happy to book myself a ticket and tag along.  Bus travel in Brazil is on an epic scale, the United Kingdom would fit into Brazil a whopping 35 times and little to my knowledge the border was 24 hours away.  These waterfalls better be worth it I thought as I curled up in my seat…36 hours later on the way back to Rio my mind was focussed on one thing- I’m coming back and next time I’ll be prepared!

The sky was only just brightening as I walked into the national park, dark clouds lay ominously on the horizon and a light breeze caused me to shiver involuntarily.  The damp bark chippings on the path bounced underfoot soaking up the sound from our footsteps and the murmurs from conversation escaped into the surrounding forest.  As we walked a light hum could be heard, my first thought was machinery; a pump maybe.  The purr increased to a deep growl, thunder, I searched overhead for the clouds that would surely be swirling towards us promising a storm.  To my surprise the clouds were dissipating and rays of pale sunshine breaking through.  Soon the trees thinned and eventually gave way to bubbling expanses of angry grey water.  Traversing rickety iron gangplanks I continued towards the noise unsure what I would find, now completely isolated from terra firma.  Haze rose in a column in the distance, a high pitched chirping of a thousand swallows now accompanied the roaring current; the cause of this immense commotion was abruptly revealed.  

The walkway ended and I found myself staring into a watery abyss.  A great chasm opened its jaws below my feet and gallons of water cascaded over the edge erupting in furious foam on the jagged rocks littering the mouth of the river beneath.  The spray from the torrent soaked through my clothing while each droplet ignited with the now golden beams to cast dancing prisms of colour onto my skin.  The birds swooped millimetres above our heads before diving downwards to cling to the slippery, damp walls of the gorge.  Supposedly waterfalls are scientifically proven to make you happy.  As the ions within the water are crushed against each other the negative charges are stripped away releasing their positive counterparts into the atmosphere.  How could this scene fail to invigorate?  

From the Devil’s Throat I descended into the yawning canyon and spent the day meandering along shady banks lined with leafy foliage, the waterfalls stretched for miles, spectacular from every angle.  I had no time to enjoy the views from the Argentinian side but was more than satisfied with my lot, after all there’s always next time.   

[Insert Applicable] India, February 2005 and June 2009

People people everywhere, Bombay Station

Irritating.  People often exclaim in utter disbelief when I explain that I was 18 and alone the first time I went to India.  Now at the ripe old age of 25 even I have started to believe that it was something of a feat.  Although not necessarily a dangerous country there are things that would test the most experienced traveller and requires all those who visit to be constantly vigilant of their surroundings.  I found it exhausting to constantly negotiate and renegotiate prices, ask directions from 10 different people and get 10 different answers , being poked and prodded at all times of the day or night and lastly being constantly followed by a hoard of men staring with love sick eyes hoping I’d accept their proposals.  Yet none of these things really got under my skin as much as having my photograph taken.  ‘What?’ you are probably thinking, out of everything that could happen the simple camera was the single most threatening device?  Let’s put it this way I know what pushed Brittany Spears over the edge.  I don’t mind the odd request or being surrounded by an entire family, shown off like some rare specimen.  In the end, even on the ‘traveller trail’ Westerners can be few and far between, but it was incessantness of it.  It felt like every minute of every day was spent staring down the wrong end of camera lens. The second time I visited it was even worse, the technology had developed to such a point that not only could everyone have a lifelong memento of my viewing but they could tell their friends about it, to this day I can’t stand camera phones.

Ornate Temple, Pondicherry

Enlightening.  I suppose everyone who spends any time in India has a spiritual experience, but no I really did.  I didn’t meet a guru or learn to meditate on a remote peak in the Kashmiri mountains but I did learn a lot about faith.  I don’t think many people could say with complete confidence they live a religious life, it almost isn’t very fashionable, so when you do come across someone completely committed to living by a set of rules set out by an authority that can’t be fully proven you sit up and take note.  I was lucky I didn’t just meet one, I met two.  Some of the cliché still stands; I was on a beach in Goa, staying in a shack by the sea, everyday we’d get up before sunrise and walk the cool darkness of the beach to watch the fishermen haul in nets thronged with quivering silver fish, but there the comparison ends.  The days were spent avidly reading every scrap of literature the two of them had with them about Christianity and in the evenings debating the things I had learnt.   Neither was extreme in their views nor aggravated by my constant questioning, in fact both were perennially calm because you don’t need to justify faith it’s just there.

Sunset out of Kochi

Idyllic.  Nothing happens quickly in India.  Despite 1 billion people bustling through their daily lives no one is rushed.  No matter how late you are an old friend in the street cannot be passed without sharing a glass of chai and nattering about the state of the government or pesky relations.  Nothing epitomises this outlook on life more than train travel.  Indians will spend days on trains journeying vast distances to work or to see relatives.  2^nd Class sleepers is where I spent most of time and they were basic but perfectly equipped.  6 people crammed  into a carriage; in the day, 3 abreast you are sat staring out of the window at the changing landscape and at night, lying in your fold out bunk you can stare at the stars.  One of my destinations was the Kerala backwaters where you can slip silently through a maze of waterways on traditional kettuvallams (houseboats).  Palms trees line the shores and houses on stilts cling to the banks.  The water is like glass, mirroring the boats above but also a portal into the turquoise depths below.

Market in Mysore

Indescribable.  Busy, noisy dirty, colourful, beautiful.  India simply defies explanation.  From one day to the next you are confronted with contradictions; old and new, traditional and modern.  The stillness and calm of ancient temples to an overcrowded buzzing marketplace.  The contrast is especially noticeable in the bigger cities where sparkling office blocks sit adjacent to thousand year old architecture or young people eating burgers and French fries in a packed out MacDonald’s go outside to pickup up dripping orange Jalebi’s.  This melting pot of paradoxes makes India bewitching, ensuring an unforgettable experience whatever might happen.