Blog — Hannah Gates

Unfortunately, we arrive a half hour before check in opened, and we spend our time moving to get away from the horrendous sound of metal scraping on the floor. You know the poles they put out and connect with rope to keep us in line? Turns out someone is too lazy to pick them up; dragging them from behind the counter into place. I’m glad I have my ear plugs. After going to the wrong security line (the international bit was wrong, because our first flight was domestic) eventually we’re through security. After hauling my laptop out of my bag, we go practically straight to the gate and onto the plane.

Hannah GatesOctober 24, 2016Comment

India-Mumbai & Goa

Climbing onto the train, loaded up with backpacks, we wandered along trying to find our seats. It was clear this wasn’t the trains first stop, as people were already comfortable on their three tiered bunk beds; some seemed annoyed that we had disturbed them by getting onto their carriage. Abandoning our big backpacks under the bottom bunk, we slumped out on the bottom bunks to make room for other passengers trying to locate their beds for the night. I was in the middle bunk, which doesn’t seem too bad initially, but I realise soon that it was just below eye level for most people, which is worrying considering we were told you could wake up with someone starting at you! Thankfully my sleep what mostly interrupted, save for a few snores from the man in the bunks opposite. Before I knew it, it was morning and we had arrived in Mumbai.

travelHannah GatesOctober 12, 2016Travel, Travel blog, goa, mumbai, slum, reality tours, slum tour, mumbai 2008, cocktails, Dharavi, indiaComment

India-Pushkar, Udaipur & Amhedabad

We started the day in Pushkar watching some of our group have a blessing at the lake. From what I could tell, this involved coconuts, flower petals, and a dip in the water. After being presented with a bracelet and being wished a long life, off we went shopping. After the trousers I bought in Delhi had ripped up the crotch, I needed a new pair. Back to the hotel for a dip in the pool and a full body (and I mean full body) massage. Being slapped around the head was interesting...

Hannah GatesOctober 6, 2016 Comment

India-Tordi Sagar to Pushkar

Jaipur to Tordi Sagar was the biggest change we've had yet. A small village on the way to our next stop, Pushkar, it was quiet and peaceful: the complete opposite of the bustling cities we've had so far, no horns, no yelling, just the occasional tractor blaring Hindi hip hop out of their speakers (clearly pimp my ride has made its way to India). We had a 3 hour jeep ride to the village, stopping off at a service station on the way, where 2 local buses had also stopped. They quickly became our fan club: they were waving, dancing and singing, a performance apparently for us! It was a sea of colourful saris in a cloud of dust from the sand.

travelHannah GatesOctober 2, 2016Pushkar, India, Hinduism, Tordi sagar, Travel, Village, JaipurComment