Summer Park Hotel Udupi

... He couldn't speak much english so we had a translator...who also couldn't speak much english. He said some things which although weren't shocking because I plan to do them, but were shocking because he knew about them. I'll just share a few snippets with you rather than quoting the hour-long session verbatim. Firstly, I'm going to be a doctor but it will take some time. Yes, and it'll take four years (duh). Secondly, our marriage will be a success. Yes I knew that, but good. Thirdly ...

... to watch, and today we have just a had mooch around. There is not much to do or see here, but it has a certain charm to it, especially the old part near the temple, so I'm glad we used it as a break on our way to Kerala. We did call in on the astrologer that is based in our hotel, but after Sumi had her charts read, I decided not to bother. Apparantly, she need him to take a puja at the temple for her, and in order for her problems ...

... t, som en man högg ett hål i med en manchette och då var det bara att suga i sig vätskan med ett sugrör. Jag är lite osäker på om det här var samma typ av kokosnöt som finns hemma (brun och hård) eftersom den var grön och rätt mjuk, men den hette kokosnöt så... Någon som vet hur det ligger till? På tal om bussar så finns här ett hypereffektivt sätt att hitta rätt buss. Det är dock inte uppbyggt kring tidtabeller och listor. Man går helt enkelt till bussstationen och säger högt ...

... för heller. Till min förvåning märkte jag att man här har sexdagars arbetsvecka, vilket innebär arbete på lördag. Men i systemet ingår 4 "fria" dagar per månad. Man får alltså i princip ta ledigt varje lördag om man vill, men om man inte gör det kan man istället ta längre helger istället, vilket passar utmärkt eftersom helgerna oftast går åt till att resa eller göra kortare utflykter. Det går nog att lediga dagar annars också om man känner för det ...

... which gave us a break from the millions of temples that we have seen. the next few days were spent wandering around the town and enjoying the friendliness of the people. One lady even invited us to her house for dinner just after speaking to us for about 2 mins. we didn't go as we ran out of time but it was a kind gesture that made us feel good. Onto Arambol next. It is a place by the sea in northern Goa. Will tell you about this in my next entry. Love to everyone, Cheryl and Kev xxx

... and freedom of women which is what I stand for. All this before I'd even bought a ring. It all ended with him saying 'I'ver had enough of this' after I replied a fourth time to another of his sexist and east-is-better-than-west stories, and I felt like I was being kicked out of the shop. Basically I'd wounded his pride and ego, I think that's how it works with men anyway, so he decided to be rude and lash out. The most infuriating thing about it all is ...

On the train from Mumbai I was lucky enough to meet Mark from Edinburgh, who like me had a couple of weeks in Goa, and no plan of attack. There are plenty of towns and beaches in Goa, none of which I had ever heard of, so our minds were made up by the 3 dutch girls in the taxi que with us... and we were off to Calangute, North Goa. After a couple of hours of walking around, trying to find a hotel without any success we decided to go a little ...

... small. Asking the restaurant staff for tools, I found that they had no adjustable wrench big enough for the task, though plenty of hammers. . There is a mechanic next door to Mama's house, and so I tried to inquire there about borrowing a wrench for the job, or just seeing if he wanted to do it, what with it being a 15 minute task and all. Well, of course the man was not home, as he runs a taxi service as well, and his wife had'nt the foggiest idea what I was talking ...

... on the way so it was more than worth it. was the bumpiest journey ever, smacking our heads continuously on the roof of the car on the way! They really do drive crazy over here, i am shocked there are not more crashes, i have only seen two so far. i don't think they use their mirrors and just beep to tell other cars where they are or to get them to move out of the way, they drive on either side of the road and the game 'chicken ...

... just a pain in the ass that theres a time difference and they dont do email!! Its great buying clothes here, I now have strappy sandals and Ralph Lauren shirts - for less than 3 quid each - its a lot easier to look nice here cos everything is dirt cheap. Will try to update before Xmas...Merry Christmas to everyone....yet another stinking hot chrimbo for me - I really miss the cold weather at this time of year...it just doesnt feel right for it to be hot when I think of Xmas.