1 step backwards to Kolkata/Orissa destination
Trip Start
Feb 24, 2009
1
49
70
Trip End
Feb 22, 2010
Berhampur, Orissa, India
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Journal extract tip for the future
"When somebody guides you to a town 6 hours away that's too small to be mapped in 'Lonely Planet' don't trust them! I can't say it was a complete waste of time but I do wish I'd set out a day or two earlier so I could see a bit more along the way........"
It's a single road town I don't believe a westerner has ever set foot on. The bus dropped us in the middle of no where. 'Us' being- the young girl who had insisted on becoming my friend (and told me interesting tales of life as a teenager and what her future holds) - the guy with a dollar bill that he insisted I signed, and my rucksack (well it's big enough to be considered as another person). We wandered out of the concrete excuse of a bus stand and luckily met the young girls senior friend, and her brother Praveen. Praveen is an engineering student (most of India seems to be studying engineering so I can't wait to see how developed the country will be in 10 years time). Praveen thought it was best I got a train. In the middle of no where, with the night, and dirt, setting in I couldn't agree more. There were no planes in Itchipuram to set my mind at ease but I pleased myself with plan B. I had spotted a two story gated house that would be my salvation and I'd beg a bed on the floor if need be.
I didn't need to, not only did I make it onto the overcrowded train but I managed to squeeze myself into sleeper class and lie down flat for the first time since Bangalore. There is always a keen Indian eager to help or show me the beauties of his country and real Indian family life but getting out of the bed I'd just found in the darkness of 1am to travel to his temple and celebrate Durga Puja, for once, didn't appeal. I needed Tara Tourist Time
