Summary:
Finally, off to India! Up at 3:15. Bus to airport. Smooth 3h 45min flight to Tirchy. Plane was packed. Just before landing the air hostesses fumigated the plane by spraying some kind of spray up and down the aisles. Burnt eyes a bit. Guess they have enough bugs in India already.
Soon as plane touched down everyone sprung up out of their chair. We waited till everyone had gotten off but soon got our first taste of "Categorising". The Indians made one huge line behind one immigration clerk while the handful of foreigners (mostly Malay) were ushered through express style.
If I was tired on the plane it wasn't for long. We took a tuk tuk from airport to city centre (120RP)$3. To much for words to describe. Animals, people, slum, defecation, diesel haze, horns, shrines & raw poverty. A much as you prepare yourself and expect it. It 's a shock to the senses.
Today is the start of 3 day holiday in honour of the sun god. Tirchy is the place to celebrate it.
Went to 6 hotels before finding vacancy. Took it sight unseen - (275RP, $8) Own bathroom, clean, fan, TV, super friendly staff. Pastry shop downstairs. We were so hungry that we ate 4 small pastries, 4 cups of tea & a 2 litre bottle of water. (170rp, yes that's right $1.50 for the lot)
Found tourist office to get a city map and were invited to go to a traditional dance performance/sun festival/ political rally/tourist promotion... Were given free ride and front row seats. I met the mayor of the city. A large smiley lady followed by about 20 aides/helpers.
Being white and Japanese is rare enough that people keep stopping in the street to shake my hand and have a chat. Despite all the kaos,people are inquisitive but open and extremely friendly.
Note. Shane Warne good. Ricky Ponting bad.
Realised that the only reason taxi/tuk tuk is expensive is because petrol is 85c a litre.
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