India Trip next week

[Peacedog]

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[cerebus]

Sweet! Just outta curiosity, how much does a trip like that cost? I'd really like to do a bit more international trekking myself if I ever get the chance...

[Peacedog]

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[cerebus]

Thanks!

[Interloper]

India is a fabulous, gorgeous, intense, poverty-filled, crowded and completely unforgettable land. I was both smitten and repulsed by it on many levels, and would go back in a heartbeat (been there 4 times).

If you can handle the gut-rattling bus ride to Daramsala, home of the Dalai Lama and scion of the gelug (Yellow Hat) Tibetan Buddhist sect in exile, it is worth the trip to that remote place. Also, despite Agra's hucksterism the Taj Mahal, with its surreal backdrop of the Yamuna river and walled fort city, is a beautiful place rich in history. Go during an off season when it's quiet and the tourists are scarcer. Or, go during peak time in the fall and see how Agra blossoms on a local level during Dewali (Festival of Lights).

[shawnsegler]

Go check out the buddha boy.

I'd also try and find a kalari to check out. See how those guys do things.

And plenty of Bang Lhassi.

[cerebus]

And plenty of Bang Lhassi.

Mmmmmm.....

[Interloper]

Don't forget India's answer to Baskin-Robbins - Nirula's. They gots pizza, too.

[mrtoes]

Varanasi is amazing if you can get there easily from Bohdigaya. However you might find you just need to sit still and not do much after a month in India. Have a great time, I was there for half a year (about 6 years ago) and would love to go back. I loved Amritsar. If you're getting the train from Punjab to Bihar (I'm guessing you're flying as it's a long way) consider stopping off along the way - Delhi, Agra, Varanasi are en route.

p.s. You'll almost certainly have quite a bit left over from that travel budget!

[yusuf]

.. bhang lassi eh ..lol. you foreigners crazy

[mrtoes]

Isn't Kalari from Tamil Nadu? Bit out of the way if so!

Sod the bhang lassi, it's all about the saffron lassi in jodhpur. Totally worth the food poisoning!

[yusuf]

hey

there are some kalari in the north, but there is definitely some great wrestling and other MA which is worth checking out. I heard of weird silat type MA in Ladakh which i must check out next time I go...

peace

yusuf

[mrtoes]

Dang I want to go now! My girlfriend is backpacking in Syria at the moment whereas I'm stuck in an office. If hsing i came from India instead of China then I'd be packing my bags right now!

[Michael]

How do you know hsing yi didn't come from India unless you thoroughly investigate every corner of the country? Sounds like a good reason for a trip!

[bigphatwong]

Knowing me, I'd probably be partying in Goa the whole time.

And I've always dreamed about opening a steakhouse in Calcutta...