Never Coming Back

We are now in Mussoorie. The trip for Delhi to Mussoorie was unnecessarily long, about 12 hours. We hit two hours of traffic on the way where we were basically at a stand still. And for no apparent reason. I guess some things don't change in different countries. But the bus was air conditioned, I could sleep, and I had a book so I was okay. Andrew couldn't get to sleep but he seemed to be amused by watching the traffic. Once we got to Deradun we switched from the tourist bus to the taxis. Andrew and I had to strap our luggage to the top of the car. Then we started to climb up and up and up and up. Then it started to rain. Then we realized our luggage was on top, and that all of our stuff was getting soaked. But the drop off the side of the mountain and the switchback turns were enough to make us forget about it. I took a video for your viewing pleasure, but it doesn't do it any justice. Once it started to rain the windshield fogged up and for some reason the driver did not ...

I found out today (our last day in the hostel) that we can use our own ethernet/computer for free internet. Apparently people have been keeping it secret because they didn't want others to know, but now I have some free internet. Of course there is a line to use it now. But fortuneately for you, this means you get to see pictures of the hostel! While we were taking pictures the lens kept fogging up because of the humidity. In between every picture we would have to hold the camera in front of the fan so that it would be clearer. That's why the pictures are so fuzzy... Yesterday was hectic while looking for apartments. Today Andrew and I are going to go shopping to buy some cotton outfits (we've waited a bit to see what others bought) and some post cards. Going to take it easy today, tommorrow we have a 9 hour bus ride to Mussorie. At least it will be airconditioned. *EDIT* Now it's later in the afternoon, and there is no line to use the internet so I don't feel guilt...

It's the beginning of Day 6. Yesterday Andrew and I took it easy. We walked down to the cafe to see if there was internet (there wasn't) then had lunch, then went to buy cell phones! So now we have cell phones. Unfortunately I have no idea how to people from the US can call them. The parents figured it out but it is very confusing. For the phone it was about 1600 Rs which is $40. Then you put money onto it. It's about 7 Rs a minute to call the US, which goes by very quickly. I've already used half of the 400 Rs I put on it! While we were walking to the Cafe Barista down the street something weird happened. A very well dressed young guy (about 16) was walking near us. He was very clean and well dressed. Here's the convo: Guy: Where are you from? Us: The U.S., California. Guy: Ahh... Welcome to India. How long have you been here? Us: Three days. Guy: Well double welcome to India! I'm a student here and I'm on vacation so I like to walk around these parts. Wher...

It's now day three. Today we spent at the Foreigner's Regional Registrar's Office (mouthful). It took four hours! I guess that makes you appreciate the United States and technology. Everything was done by hand. We had to fill out the same application three times and it was very long and annoying. It seems like everybody knows English but it's more like Hinglish. The signs here are funny in English. Like all the trashcans say "use me." I saw a sign today that said "Smile more b'cuz smiling improves your face value." I thought that was funny. We are doing a lot better now. Everyday gets easier and better. This afternoon we are going to look at apartments with the realtor. We will be living in the apartment after we get back from Mussoorie. We leave for Mussoorie on Saturday morning, it's a nine hour drive but in an air conditioned bus, so it's not that bad. I'm excited to go to Mussoorie because it is in the mountains and it will be a l...

 We're here! We arrived in Delhi noon yesterday after a very long flight from SFO to Taipei then to Delhi. Everything here is really old, yet there is constant construction going on. Our hotel room is a lot nicer than I expected it to be! It has aircondition in the room, a fan, a TV, and a bathroom. There is also internet in the hostel (where I am now). I bought a pair of cotton pants yesterday so now I am nice and cool. Today is going to be spent filling out papers and doing things like that. So far we are doing well. Yesterday we were really stressed out and we kind of got mad at each other. We were walking in a big group and Andrew was a couple of people ahead of me and I was talking to a girl. Then a bus dropped off about 10 guys and they started to follow us and whistle/etc. I called out Andrew's name and he didn't hear. For some reason I got really scared that they were going to try to touch us. So then I got angry at Andrew. But then we ate dinner (reall...