I am in food Nirvana. I know, that is crazy for Shanon to say, especially since I am in a 3rd world country, but it is very, very incredible and tasty. About 80% of the restaurants serve 100% vegetarian food (heaven!) thanks to the vast majority of the population being Hindu. Think of the Bombay House but better (and much cheaper) every day! Yesterday, for lunch we had an all yo can eat "Thalis" meal that they kept slopping different curries on our silver platter for 4 dollars total (including cokes).
We ate so much that we skipped dinner and breakfast the next day. We have been eating this stuff for breakfast, lunch and dinner and have not yet gotten sick of it. Delicious, delicious, and the best part is that you eat with your hands. We rarely get silverware and if we do, it is just a spoon. Its messy and goopey and great! We finally learned after several uncomfortable meals that you are only to use your right hand to eat since the left hand is reserved for bathroom duties. I got a gagging, choking face from a young boy after he saw me tearing my bread with both hands. Very funny! But, we like the food so much here that we ended up taking a cooking class to learn how to make it at home. We will definately have to have a dinner party when we get home.
Aside from the food, we have seen some really interesting things. Udiapur was great and
relatively calm. We enjoyed our 3 days there as we wandered the streets checking out the many temples that would pop up and ranged from ancient to just really, really, old. We also checked out Ahar, which is a large area of centopaths or monuments of the old Maharajas of the area. It was an area larger than a football field full of domes. We took a tour of the city palace which was great and we had a wonderful night watching some dancers of the region and a band playing some interesting traditional music. There was even a puppeteer as part of the show.
Mount Abu was ok, but the lake that the town surrounds was tiny (pond sized) and full of algae, garbage, sewage and swan shaped paddle boats. The best part of this town was the ancient Jain temples built in 1031-1230 AD which were
all marble but so intricately carved it the whole temples looked like lace. The carvings were of their gods, elephants, buddhas, lotus flowers, etc. It was so amazing, but unfortunately cameras were not allowed so we weren't able to take a photo. The history here in India is so old and interesting. Apparently gypsies originated in the area that we are in, the palaces still have the gold plated elephant seats that the kings would ride in and the forts still encompase bustling cities that sell spices, silks and camels. Much more to see in the weeks to come, I am sure.
I am in food Nirvana. I know, that is crazy for Shanon to say, especially since I am in a 3rd world country, but it is very, very incredible and tasty. About 80% of the restaurants serve 100% vegetarian food (heaven!) thanks to the vast majority of the population being Hindu. Think of the Bombay House but better (and much cheaper) every day! Yesterday, for lunch we had an all yo can eat "Thalis" meal that they kept slopping different curries on our silver platter for 4 dollars total (including cokes). 
We ate so much that we skipped dinner and breakfast the next day. We have been eating this stuff for breakfast, lunch and dinner and have not yet gotten sick of it. Delicious, delicious, and the best part is that you eat with your hands. We rarely get silverware and if we do, it is just a spoon. Its messy and goopey and great! We finally learned after several uncomfortable meals that you are only to use your right hand to eat since the left hand is reserved for bathroom duties. I got a gagging, choking face from a young boy after he saw me tearing my bread with both hands. Very funny! But, we like the food so much here that we ended up taking a cooking class to learn how to make it at home. We will definately have to have a dinner party when we get home.
relatively calm. We enjoyed our 3 days there as we wandered the streets checking out the many temples that would pop up and ranged from ancient to just really, really, old. We also checked out Ahar, which is a large area of centopaths or monuments of the old Maharajas of the area. It was an area larger than a football field full of domes. We took a tour of the city palace which was great and we had a wonderful night watching some dancers of the region and a band playing some interesting traditional music. There was even a puppeteer as part of the show. 
Mount Abu was ok, but the lake that the town surrounds was tiny (pond sized) and full of algae, garbage, sewage and swan shaped paddle boats. The best part of this town was the ancient Jain temples built in 1031-1230 AD which were 
all marble but so intricately carved it the whole temples looked like lace. The carvings were of their gods, elephants, buddhas, lotus flowers, etc. It was so amazing, but unfortunately cameras were not allowed so we weren't able to take a photo. The history here in India is so old and interesting. Apparently gypsies originated in the area that we are in, the palaces still have the gold plated elephant seats that the kings would ride in and the forts still encompase bustling cities that sell spices, silks and camels. Much more to see in the weeks to come, I am sure.
4 comments:
We had to get out the map to find some of the places you're traveling through recently, unreal experiences. We bought a DK Travel Guide the other day for a future trip and I can honestly say, your travel tips via blog are far more expressive of what a person will see and experience. It's been fun! Monica goes in for her surgery in an hour. Can't wait to welcome #4 son. Jan 16th Love, Dad and Susan
Sweet! Ban and I can't wait for you to come home and teach us to make fabulous Indian food! Yum!!
HOLA, my long since been gone friends. how are things? I'm living in Arizona nowadays, and i pop into see kev, alex, kai and the guys every chance i can get. right now I'm just goin to ASU pluggin away my life into monotonous math books, so on, and all that bullshit. on the bright side I have started my own cult, and have amassed a small gathering of subservient loyal followers, but as a protege, and with his teacher on hiatus i've run into a small problem. tell me honestly, what color of kool-aid? just kiddin, but it looks like you guys are having one Mick Jagger of a time so write me back if ya get a moment, westonp_86@hotmail.com
take it easy fellas, and stay away from the purple acid, sincerely, incoherently, Weston the protege Phippen
Hey Guys,
I'm so jealous!! I would love to visit India someday. From what I hear there is nothing else like it on earth. P.S. I love curry... "nudge" so when you get back you'll have to show off your new cooking skills.
Love yah,
Bro
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