India

Not much blogging while away on my trip. The idea of a 'travelblog' and semi frequent updates of a trip is a great idea. Until you're actually there and the power is cutting out 4 or 5 times per day and it's hot as hell and pretty much doing anything sounds more exotic and fun than updating such a blog. Now that I've returned home (where still just about anything is, or at least should be, more relevant and important than posting,) I'll make some posts regarding my musings and stories from India.

Here are a few Indian contradictions I noticed in my travels. Really, the entire country is a massive paradox. Some of these are amusing, others downright irritating, all of them mindboggling, to me at least.

1. Energy efficient bulbs in every socket, alongside one inch gaps under doors and around windows of rooms with airconditioners.

2. Rather strict rules about smoking (i.e. not in most buildings, not on outdoor train platforms or anywhere in public in some cities even!) in areas with some of the worst air pollution in the world.

3. A people who is laidback and never seem to be in any kind of hurry, until you get them behind the wheel of an automobile.

4. Crores of starved and destitute people, who are often ignored or treated with outright contempt alongside large feeding sites for pigeons.

5. Male/female relationships marked by ultra conservatism and no public displays of affection in the land of the Kama Sutra and countless inspired statues and monuments.

6. A massive and highly efficient train system with traincars and station platforms without markings.