5 tips and tricks to survive traveling 3rd world

Having lived in a few different countries I have felt my own variations of homesickness. I mean lets face it, life outside of the USofA is different. So to combat I have come up with a few tricks to keep that homesickness at bay.

1. Bring your favorite treat (gummies, popcorn, gum, chocolate etc). chances are they wont have it or it tastes different. Even though I have found my favorite treats in each country, after a time you start craving that one thing and it helps just to have a little taste of home to keep you from going crazy.

2. After travelling and at times sweating in places that aren't up to Americas standard of clean, I start feeling like crap... for whatever reason taking some time to really "pamper" myself makes me feel better. Whether that is washing clothes, shaving my legs, putting lotion on those said legs, or going somewhere nice that requires you to ditch the traveling clothes and dress up.

3. Take a rest day and do something "American" like going to a movie, taking a nap, reading a book, finding an American restaurant.

4. Before you leave pack something you enjoy (food, a book, music, clothes, products for great hair) and when you hit those days where you start wondering what you were thinking in going abroad, pull out your "sanity pack".

5. When you first arrive, write down the things that amaze you and that you find fascinating. When you start having days when you cant remember what you liked about travelling pull out that list. Be candid when writing it.

No Shame in stopping at the Krispy Kreme for a donut every time we went thru Bangkok

Thailand offered great, cheap smoothies



Loved the gate art in India





Every now and then we come up with crazy ideas that provide many laughs and stress relief

My favorite thing to watch at big sites is everyone posing, when you don't have the
perspective their photographer does, people look hilarious.

Take a step back and watch all those people..

Sometimes if you just remember the magical feeling of arriving in your dream destination it is enough

Everywhere has a heart warming moment if you look

Watching how excited everyone gets (adults and kids) when they see the magic come alive

What tricks do you have when travelling?

Jaipur India, our beginning to the Golden Triangle

Finally we embark on our journey of the Golden Triangle. This is the place everyone thinks of when traveling to India. The Triangle comprises of Agra (home of the Taj Mahal), Delhi (the thriving capital city of India) and Jaipur (home of the Red Palace & Amber Fort).

We stayed at the "peacock hotel" I loved it, it felt like how I pictured places in India to be. You know like during the era when the British occupied India. One of my favorite things are the bowls of water with flowers in them, not only do they look gorgeous but the smell is wonderful.

Upon checking into the hotel we meet Salim, he was very helpful and friendly and by the end of the night we decided to hire him as our tour guide/driver. By the end of the 2 days we became "family" Matt was like his son, and I was like a daughter. Our first stop of the morning was Lassiwalla, if you want to try Lassi(or give it a 2nd try) this is the place. When done right this dairy beverage is delicious, but it is quite easy to mess up in the making, but I find most are deliciously passable. If your American, get the sweetened version, you will thank me later.

 We stopped to look at the Jal Mahal Palace and Amber fort. A snake charmer came over and started his act. We were very intrigued, and the charmer even let us play the flute, touch the cobra! At the end the charmer wanted a crazy amount but Salim set us straight on how much to pay. Sadly the pictures of me where lost when someone left their phone in an Auto, guess I will just have to go back to Jaipur and charm some more Cobras.

The Amber Fort was a great stop, but be prepared to walk up stairs or get their early and ride an elephant.

 On second thought if you don't like elephants, people, architecture or good views, don't stop here because that is all this place has to offer.

Heading out we went to visit some beautiful tombs and monuments for past kings, I am telling you these intricate designs are absolutely beautiful. I love the architecture and how they have carved stories from the deceased's life into the stone.

Shortly after we did stop at a scientific/astronomy park, it was cool but I didn't understand any of it.. I did Aries, which is my sign. 

The culminating moment was when Salim took us to ride the elephants! Life long dream come true! These elephants take tourists up to the Amber fort in the morning and then are taken back to the park. I got to ride an elephant bareback, the real kicker is how we got up onto the elephants. Contrary to what I had originally believed, we climbed up on the elephants via the foot/trunk. Once the elephant had lifted its foot high enough we scurried up the trunk onto their back.  This is a lot tricker than you think, once you get to their fore head it is straight up and down. We all made it on without incident, and proceeded on a parade thru the "forest" with our Mahouts (the elephant guides). 

 Our last stop of the day was Monkey Palace (you can imagine my delight at this decision.)  If you want an adventure watching your back and your companions back, this is the place for you. DO NOT carry food, cameras or bags loosely. These guys aka Monkeys are quick and strong, once they have hold of your stuff it is history. Between speed, agility and the other monkey gang members you stand very little chance.  The monkeys are most active in the morning and evening, but even when you think they are all sleeping during midday they will be watching you.

PS the monkeys at the top end are aggressive.... don't make eye contact unless you are prepared to battle for your life. On the upside there are some nice monks there.

The Red Palace of Jaipur. 

Such beautiful designs and architecture on the gate to the city. 

Once back at the Peacock palace/hotel we watched the World cup in the lobby (the only place with a TV) with a bunch of other americans and foreigners. What a blast, who new soccer could be so entertaining.

Matt's new friend who wanted Matt's deodorant so the boy would smell good for his girlfriend.  Hilarious exchange!

At the end of the day, we got on a overnight bus to Agra and the Taj Majal, this time with flat beds. Since there were 5 of us and 3 beds I bravely took the single bed, with Hudson and Matt across the aisle from me to keep me safe all night long.

Below is how you climb onto an elephant… or at least how I do.

First you grab the ears

Next you jump onto the trunk

Don't stop climbing or else you will end up like this...

Finally on...

Next you have to turn around

Whew I think its over when they tell me I have to jump onto the other elephant

Here I go!!!

Made it! 

                               

                              Making peace with the monkeys with a Monks watchful eye (&permission)

Traveling India's Himalayas, is it for you?

Darjheeling, India

What can I say about this place, I love it. When I think of India, this is not the place I picture but has fast become one of my favorite places. After the heat and chaos of the city it was so nice to go up to Darjeeling and get away from the heat and chaos. The mountains have always had a way of healing my soul and rejuvenating me for another "round" in life.

After flying into the worlds smallest airport, Bagdogra we hitched a ride in a hummer up the step mountain road. *disclaimer if you get motion sickness or if you don't like "thrilling" rides than this trip is not for you. Distance wise it is quite close, as in 45km, but time wise it is a few hours away. The ride was quite the adventure with 12 people in a hummer up the step and winding road ascending deeper and deeper into the clouds.

Along the way our driver stopped to put a covering on all our luggage that was on top, we wondered down the road to see the beautiful lush forest, but before we went to far he warned us to watch for tigers and wild elephants!
Interesting side note, every hummer has a driver and an assistant, many of them ride standing on the back bumper! India is so different then America in more ways then one.

Once we reached Darjeeling (as an american you will pronounce this completely wrong, it is not a 3 syllable word, Dahr-jee-ling… it is more like one word slurred together. Dahrsheling.. it is a softer j… )
Anyways back on track once we reached our home for the week we were in love, it is chillier up there but such a welcome respite from Hyderabad. Up there everyone was a lot more relaxed and just went about their business. We had reserved 2 rooms for the 10 of us, but when we checked in they told us we had to pay an exhorbant amount extra for the extra people, but they wouldn't let us cancel either, finally after much back and forth the head manager (or the owner) came from off property and was amazing, he not only didn't charge us extra but he let us use a 3rd room as well. He cited that since we where helping his country he wanted to help us. (so nice of him, people are amazing!)

Everywhere in town is either uphill or downhill, and our rooms were up the stairs (it is all outside stairs and our place was like a villa I suppose, but each room had its own separate feel… but we did have roof access and that was amazing!
We went into town for some dinner and then headed to bed, the next morning I was wide awake thinking it was noon, but when I looked at my phone it was 6am! The sun rises early here, but it was so quaint to have a cup of lemon tea and enjoy the stillness of the morning.

Once everyone was up we stopped at a bakery and grabbed breakfast pastries to eat on the way to our explorations. We started off in search of the tibetan refugee camp, but ended up taking the back road to Observation Hill. As we walked up the hill we saw a monkey and got so excited, and then another, the top of the hill was shrouded in fog but we continued our walk upwards. Soon we started seeing lines of Tibetan prayer flags followed by more prayer flags and still more. The top of the hill is a place where buddhism flourishes and there are many shrines and temples. I found a quite area and just thought for a while, it was such a magical place, so quite and so
removed from the world. The monkeys would run and jump along the lines of prayer flags.



We eventually walked around the top and were able to talk to some buddhist monks about their life and they gave us a blessing and good luck. I noticed that as the monkeys would try and get close and into the temple all the guardians had to do was pick up a rock and they would scatter, they didn't even have to chuck the rock picking it up was enough. We all began to gather as we prepared to descend the hill and venture around some more.  1/2 the group was going down ahead, Anna & I stopped to wait for a few more stragglers to come down.  (did I ever mention that monkey are curious??)
As Anna and I were standing around a young monkey decided that it would be adventurous and climb my leg.. Not wanting and I'll affects I gently nudged the little guy away from my leg… apparently that was very upsetting, he jumped back 35 feet or so and screamed. All the adults in the vicinity took that very personal and came running with bared teeth at me. Umm yes this was terrifying, I went to back up and tripped on the ledge into a small ditch on the side. So not only do I have monkeys getting ready to end my life, I also happen to be trying to balance and not fall and thus render myself totally and completely helpless. One monkey made it and grabbed my leg and bit down hard (I had made a last minute decision to wear my denim jeans instead of my leggings that morning.. this may have saved my life.. Literarlly) As soon as he bit down I flung him off my leg (natural instinct) which only made them angrier. At this point I realize it is probably the end, I am backed against a wall, and if I turn and run they will be on me faster than an open flame can ignite a dry field.
As I am realizing this I pull my hands up to shield my face and take back mocking death by monkeys…at the same time my friends realized what was happening and my hopeless predicament and came charging swinging bags at these ferocious primates. I can not tell you the amount of relief I had at seeing them.  I tend to be a suffer in silence type, so I don't know if I ever even screamed. I was just so focused on the situation. Oh this whole encounter happened within the span of maybe 2 minutes and I was gifted with instant black-and-blue bruising from the encounter.  Later that night at dinner some of the girls were freaking out over the fact that I was attacked by monkeys and were surprised I was so calm about it. There was one other family in the restaurant with us.. As they got  up to leave they informed us that "next time we want to throw around racial slurs to be mindful of who was around". We were all in such shock. Luckily Matt and Hudson quickly got up and followed them out to explain that I really was attacked by monkeys and it had nothing to do with racial slurs.  Just for the record I never want to try for a better story than that.

Unplanned adventures in Cambodia: Day 1 & 2

Oh Sweet Beautiful Cambodia!!!
Even though our beginning was a little rough, after all who would want to leave Phuket Paradise, you more then made up for it in the end!
We started off flying in on an itt-bitty plane. While normally I love a thrill and a rush of adrenaline, this flight was something else. Being a little plane you really feel all the changes in the wind.

We finally landed at Siem Reap international airport, where we walked inside to distribute the pile of forms they gave to us on the plane to fill out. First off as you walk inside there is a metal-detector type machine you walk thru. Second glance and I realized it was a heat sensor, so if anyone was ill, the officials would know, luckily, despite the beautiful sunburn, I made it thru.  Visa desk, whew never seen anything like it. Behind this tall long desk are a bunch of officials, and they each have a job to do with the visa. The first person you pay $20 (or $22 if you don't have a passport size photograph with you), then proceed down to the end of the desk and wait for your passport. In the meantime while the officials are waiting for the passport to come their way, they keep things real by YouTube-ing it up! Something new.. Health forms, declaring your health, are just dropped in a basket on your way out.

We gathered our luggage, somehow Jamie's always comes out before mine... I don't understand. And head outside to wait for our pickup, courtesy of the hotel. It was great, I always fantasized about rickshaws and here I got a real one!! We hopped in and headed to our place, just a short 15 min away. Driving on our way it was a mix of a tourist town meets a small country town. There are many pizza shops(so random) tucked away in the side streets, and run by whole families.

After check in we both decided to get massages, for $10 they would come to your room and give an hour long massage. Not just any massage, this was nothing like the traditional American massage, and it was delightful. First off you stay fully clothed and just lay on the bed. Then these cute little girls take control of every limb and use their full body to massage as well. So wonderful. We finally came out of our stupor after they left and wondered down to dinner. We have a weird tradition of getting a margherita pizza at every city we stop in, but sadly they were out, tonight and next night as well, but they had our smoothies. So we would never think of complaining.

During the massage I felt a little off, but figured I just needed food since we hadn't really eaten all day. However once back in our room after dinner, my stomach rebelled. But not in a flu or food poising way, my mind was super alert and fine. Jamie laughed because I would leave in such a happy attitude to go puke. Between the both of us we came prepared to nurse a small contingency of helpless travelers. By morning, I was exhausted, so I spent the day sleeping and eventually went out to find Jamie by the pool. I was feeling well enough for some light food, so I asked if I could get some toast, they were so cute and a little confused, but they delivered, which is probably when I fell in love with Cambodia.

I spent the rest of the day by the pool, or sleeping, (mostly the latter). Jamie, bless her heart, was so sweet and just entertained herself, even though I know it drives her crazy to stay in so long. She did explore our street and watched the sunset for both of us. Ending the day with dinner downstairs, we made a new friend with one of the staff. He is quite hilarious, and very helpful. If I could pronounce his name, I would write it down. But I get lost on names after the first syllable. 

So here is to the unplanned adventures!