Meg's "India (7 nites) and Singapore (1 nite)" album http://public.fotki.com/chubbycheeks/india_7_nites_and/ Liza and I receive a once in a lifetime invitation to visit India for Jay's cousin's wedding. We make a whole asian trip out of it. Thanks to Jay and his awesome family, Liza and I experience all the wonders and adventures India has to offer. Things I will never forget about India: -Bangalore, Jay's hometown. -Jay's Aunt, Retired Dean of Indian Institute of Science, powerful name of Bangalore. -Airport: Luggage pushers immediately take hold of our bags without our permission. -See Jay from afar, run to him for a hug and tell on the luggage pushers. Forced to pay them off, he removes their presence. -Always have to tip to use public bathrooms and for anything else someone else does. -Persistant beggars everywhere. -Small steps inconveniently placed and easily tripped over. -Railroad crossing guards lowered by actual ppl who stand by. -Meet Jay's family, get mehndi designs painted on hands (henna). -Jay's Mom gives us gifts: hand-made sarees. Jay's G-ma gives us bracelots. Jay gives us gold necklaces :) -Stay at the Indian Institute of Science Guest House, thanks to Jay's Aunt. -Dinner rehearsal: meet more family. -Sleepy at 8:30. Can't hold eyes open. Not able to hear a thing cuz we're concentrating on keeping eyes open. -Conversation with Jay's Aunt: Her: "blah, blah, the world is great, blah, blah...." Silence. Liza: "I am SOO tired. I can't stay awake!" -Conversation with Jay's Uncle: Him: "blah, blah, So what do you think of that? Meg: smile. Meg: silence. Meg: smile. -Too much wine. -Ask Jay permission to take a power nap for just 15 minutes upstairs. Jetlagged. -Liza and I pass out for the rest of the nite. -Wedding day for Roshni and Jake. Friend is sent to help us dress up in the sarees. -Pretty flowers. -Lunch on banana leaves. Good coffee. -Ride in rickshaw in our sarees, shop at local market. -Wedding night, change into regular dresses. -Mango ice cream and carrot mash. yum. -4 hour drive to Mysore. -Drive pass corrupt officers, who target foreigners and harass visitors until paid off. -Narrow roads, not paved, some lanes provided but not used, close call accidents, honking horns everywhere, roads shared with random cows, sheep, goat, camels, horses, dogs, monkeys. Smoke and dust is in the air. -P every 30 minutes. -Toilet paper scarce, cows sacred. -"Whats worse: having face caught in front of exhaust pipe in india, or having someone with COPD cough all over your face?" -"Angelina Jolie vs. Jennifer Anniston?" Hands down, Angelina Jolie. -Lunch at Jay's Granddad's favorite hotel. Santana Row. -Stop at island fortress of Tipu Sultan (Srirangapatna). -Stay nite at Lalith Mahal Palace Hotel. -Take pictures in a room where Ghandi slept in. -Eat fruit and ice cream under the stars on the balcony. -Debate topic: "How would you raise your son who may show early signs of cross-dressing." I am told to lower my voice. -Birdwatching the next day. -Mysore vs. Bangalore. Mysore wins. Jay gets defensive. -WE ARE CELEBRITIES cuz we look different! Locals want to take pictures with us and shake our hands!!! We shoulda charged! -Camel ride. weeee! -Fly out to Delhi, northern India, stay at the India International Center, thanks to Jay's Uncle. -Drive to Agra. -Visit Sikandra (Hindu and Muslim architecture) -Agra Fort. Red Fort. Like a castle! -Taj Mahal. majestic white domes. natural gemstones. 96 degree towers. all symmetrical except for Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's tomb. unreal. -Fathepur Sikri. -Drive to Jaipur. desert. pretty elephants. -Jaipur Fort. -Astronomical outdoor museum. -Visit palm reader. What he sees: -I will live long. -I have many friends, but few are true. -My feelings get hurt easily. -I have a temper, and I must try to learn to control it and not think so much. -I could have continued my education level, but I chose not to. -I have a strong luck line except for 2 slashes/hardships in my life. -My stress level comes out thru headaches and back pain. -Only 2 loves. -If my relationship does not work out, it will be my fault. -I will have 2 children. -I will always be given money by friends and family, but I will never have a full bank account. -Whatever Liza does, she will be better off financially and professionally than myself. ;) -City Palace. -Rajasthan. -Sore throat and cough begins. Things I will never forget about Singapore: -A visit to Singapore for one night in transit to India. -Clean and safe. -Stayed at the Golden Landmark. -Hard Rock Cafe waiters were tenacious. -Got lots of buttons and cherry 7up out of it. -Orchard St. too expensive. -Overslept, no downtown nite out.