Bragging Rights
Three years is a long time. That's because three years is how long its taken to scrape together enough frequent flyer points to get a free flight to India! It seems the travel bug does not die from starvation, it only grows stronger! I've had tonnes of signs that I should go on this trip. Ok yes, I am the sort of superstitious moron who thinks that if the toaster stops working higher powers are saying, "Stop eating bread its making you fat!". But I'm certain that this trip is meant to be. One sign is that I managed to snatch the last available flight that I could have taken - mere coincidence you scoff? Well, I have a nice little tradition of always finding exactly what I want and its always the last one on the rack AND in my size. So knowing that I have the last seat gives me great peace of mind. This in spite of everyone else's attempts to fill me with fear and dread. People keep looking at me with horror when I say that I am travelling alone through India. Even people who COME from India have looked at me as if I said I wanted to lick a cane toad. What worries me is that the reaction has been worse than when I announced I was backpacking alone in the Middle East - only four months after Sept 11 for my FIRST TRIP OVERSEAS. Even I knew I was nuts. Still, the wonderful thing about taking a risk is the inevitable adrenalin rush, the feeling of triumph when you return safely, the heroes welcome, the words of adoration and then the inevitable bragging. It's all worth it, the jet lag, the sheer exhaustion, the never-ending haggling from dawn to dusk, the jelly-belly and con artists - the bragging rights are worth it all 
Rugby World Cup 2007
...but seriously...I'm Indian...and India is a magical, cultural, societal salmagundi...
I have subscribed to your blog. I couldn't not... your writing is...just...wow...
Dusk