Namaste

What i learned during my explorations of  Asia,
Mabuhay in the Manila...
Xin Chao in Hanoi..
Sabai Dee in Luang Prabang
Sawatdee in Bangkok and Chiangmai...
Selamat Datang in Kuala Lumpur..
Namaste in Delhi, Varanasi and the whole India..

One Night In Delhi

on the way to ND train station

      We arrived in a foggy and chilly Monday night. According to the morning newspaper, hundreds of flights were stranded in the past two days due to visibility problem. And this also includes train trips. I just hope ours is not included.

      I was shivering despite my three layers of clothing. We went to a prepaid taxi counter and paid for our tickets to bring us to Hotel Grand Godwin(HGG) situated in the Old Delhi which is a stone's throw away from the main train station that will bring us to our destination tomorrow morning. Decades old cars lining up the airport parking lot and there were several men trying to get your attention to hail you a cab. According to Lonely Planet (LP) you must ignore these kind of people they might be involved in a kind of a scam.

      We took our green and yellow cab and the driver can hardly utter an English word. I just contented myself with photographing the roads to our destination. It took us at least 30 minutes after we reached HGG. Theres a sign under it being recommended by LP. True enough, surprisingly at that, we were greeted by friendly young Indians who escorted us to our room after confirming our reservation. HGG is a boutique hotel, with a fine turn of the century British Indian feel to it. The wooden panels framing the doors, and the wooden beds were impeccable. The toilet is spacious and spotless. An extra bed and bedding was prepared. After a few minutes of rest, we aimed for the train station on foot to confirm our early morning reservation tomorrow morning.

     At 10 pm, we headed back to the hotel to look for some place to eat and we chose the restaurant of Hotel Ajanta. Our first Indian dinner comprised of soft chapati and some vague local chicken and vegetarian dishes. The food was unremarkable. Very spicy. We were very careful with our hands (to maintain cleanliness). Took some photos and praised the Indian chef and waiter for a lovely service.

Running A Day Before Christmas

I have missed running four days in a row.
It must be the endless Christmas parties, the department carolling, several appointments and unfinished business to attend to since the holiday is fast approaching or else ill miss my vacation.
Well, im already home taking my much needed rest.
I woke up while the moon is resting in its early dawn glory, while the musical sounds of the insects predominate in my bedroom window
sending the all familiar citrusy morning scent while most of the people in the household were in their twilight sleep.
Not really, my chipo named Almondine was whining and greeting me with his tiny bites which became so familiar like a shitsu massage, while his tail wagging.

One can't get enough of home. The "ill be home for Christmas" theme always favour everyone's minds if you're working away from home.
And my home is in Tagum.
My favourite city in the world.
I  for my running gear including my Polar watch with GPS, and headed for the city hall
The structure rests comfortably in the eastern gland of Tagum city along the formerly sleepy and forested roads of Apokon. But that was several years ago, when i was still in my formative years, the time when the road was also famous for its sleezy bar known as Gamao and the bus terminals for Ceres, Mintranco and Bachelor express. (the BLTB of Mindanao)
The main highway is deserted at this time of the hour. I am the only runner on the road.
After 15 minutes and 2 kilometers of running, i reached my destination.
The area is so spacious that its archictect and the mayor probably considered the area to be a place for runners and bikers.

Encircling the main entrance along its facade is an almost one kilometer stretch of paved roads lined with young palms and alternating green, yellow and maroon shades of plants.

Quite a number of  folks were in the height of their exrcise.

There was a man in his 5o's on brisk-walking.

A muscular foreigner in his 60's in yellow skimpy shorts and and white singlet. 

A couple walking

Two serious marathoner.

A group of elderly men.

The still unfinished structure is looming in the expanse of a once banana plantation area
In fact traces of banana trees are still lying in the pheriphery
Tagumenos are proud of this accomplishment.
This would soon serve as a landmark for the whole city

A Passage to Varanasi

I didn't know Mark Twain travelled so much in the Far East during his time.

But this was one of the most famous lines he uttered  during his out of town lectures to the holiest city in India (Hindu's Mecca):

"Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together".

Two months of preparation,

Now i'm off to one of the most coveted vacations of all time.

After budget airline reservations amounting to only PhP30,000
     (airlines from manila to kuala lumpur and kuala lumpur to new delhi)

Seven travel books about India, New Delhi, Varanasi, Agra, and Kuala Lumpur
     (thanks to Nat Geo,Frommers and Lonely Planet),

Not to mention google's help about the abovementioned cities...

Three train resevations via internet
     (New Delhi-Agra, Agra-Varanasi, Varanasi- New Delhi) Thanks to Cleartrip!

Five hotel bookings from Agoda
     (KL, Agra, Varanasi, New Delhi and KL again)

One tour guide booking for varanasi
     (An Indian named Ajit-thanks to Frommer's recommendation)

I am now off to my "eat pray love" adventure

Three days to go..

I hope everything will turn out fine.

Thanks to Gibbs Cadiz' recommendations about India, "an assault to the senses!" in the optimistic point of view, of course.

Twelve hours in kuala lumpur

Ten hours in Agra

Two days in Varanasi

One day and a half in New Delhi

Not to mention the sleeper train adventures- its definitely the quintessential India!

Swagatam!