I Found Paradise in India

Hey,
I never thought I would find paradise in India, then I arrived in Goa. It's a lot bigger than I imagined with the north and south being two and a half hours apart by car.

We started in the north and had our first Indian beach experience here. You will remember what it was like in both Thailand and Cambodia where you are constantly hassled to purchase food, clothes and jewelry on the beach, well the north of Goa is exactly the same but you have the added nuisance of large groups of men just hanging around. They show way too much affection towards one another while starring at us which is a huge deterrent for us to go swimming. Plus there's only so many photos I want of me in a bikini floating around India and the Internet!! Haha (Indian men are known to take photos of foreign girls and pretending they are their "easy" western girlfriend.)

The south of Goa is a world apart, with less crowded beaches and no sellers allowed on the beach...woohoo!! Palolem Beach is lined with palm trees hanging over huts and with restaurants flowing out onto the sand. I had always wanted to stay in a beach hut so we rented one while we were here. It's so great walking out the door and being able to see the beach and hear the waves at night. I love never needing to wear shoes as everything you need here you can get with the sand between your toes...plus I finally got to swim!
Tomorrow we leave this paradise for the chaos of Colombo, Sri Lanka. It's a little sad leaving this place as it was leaving our 3 tiny now flea free kittens in the north.


Hopefully I will return soon...with my favorite American travel companion!! (Hint hint!!)
Miss you,
E xx

Fish Spa and Kittens

Hey A,
Today I had my first fish spa. This is where you put your feet into fish tanks and the little fish eat the dry skin off your feet. I had seen this before in Thailand but never really wanted to try it before seeing it here in Goa.
We first had our feet washed then as soon as you put your feet into the tank your feet are mobbed by hundreds of fish. It's the strangest feeling at first feeling the dry skin being pulled from your feet and seriously ticklish!!
Once I started to relax it was a really good experience and my feet feel much smoother.
While we were at the fish spa a guy pulled 3 teeny tiny kittens out of a box he had rescued and started feeding them cow milk from a babies bottle. This horrified me as cats are lactose intolerant so this really upsets their stomachs and is generally bad for their health. I got talking to the guy and offered him some advice on taking care of them. They are so adorable just fitting in the palm of my hand, but constantly meowing as they are riddled with flees. My heart really went out to these poor little creatures so I'm heading back there tomorrow to help bath and get rid of some of the fleas. This trip has really made me realize how much of an animal lover I really am, even though you had been telling me this years ago!
Missing you,
E xx

Memory Monday [4]

Today is the start of Chinese New Year!  Back when we were living in Beijing, Emma and I rang in the year of the rat with style!  It was a little bit scary as there were fireworks going off everywhere... and not all of them were pointed for the sky!  

I was especially nervous... Emma and I were about to embark on our journey around South East Asia and I didn't want to risk being injured!

I don't think hiding behind the Diet Coke bottle made me safer from all the fireworks (but it was worth a try!)...

Just a small sample of what was in store for the night. 

The next day we went to the temple fair.  It was really crowded but so cool to see!  There were food and merchandise booths, red lanterns everywhere, and some interesting entertainment options (remember the singing?).  

So much fun!  I am going to learn how to make jiaozi and then next year we can celebrate here with sparklers, mahjong, and red decorations!  

Just like America...in Mumbai

Hey Ann,
I have arrived in Mumbai and it is definitely on my list of favorite cities. The shopping malls here are packed with all my favorite stores and restaurants. I was lucky enough to have McDonalds, Dominos Pizza and TGI Fridays all in one day!! I am yet to find the Chilis but I'm working on it.
The other day my friend ordered a Mozzarella salad and to my surprise it came with mozzarella sticks. Of course this reminded me of you so I took a photo to show you and so I can make my own interpretation when I get to the UK.
Wish you were here.
Love Em xx

Applebee's

Dear E,


That rat temple really grossed me out!  The thought of having a rodents crawling all over me... I just fainted in my mind.  It reminds me of the time we were in Thailand, Krabi if I remember correct.  We really needed to wash our clothes and the only laundry place we could find was a washing machine that was literally on the sidewalk.

While we were sitting there on the sidewalk reading (practically in the gutter), a giant rat waltzed on by!  


As promised Paul and I got buffalo chicken wings the other night (the night I had to shovel again).  

We got them from Applebee's!  Yum!  You remember Applebee's, right?  We took your parents there straight away when they got into town.  

We also got mozzarella sticks in your honor!  (also because they are my favorite.)  I really wish you would have been there... I got sick because I ate too much... I need you to split food with!  


I miss you so much!  Can't wait til you get to Mumbai and I get to hear about all the American restaurants in India!


Yours with love- A


P.S. I got a second postcard in the mail!  It was from Nepal! 

The Rat Temple

Hi there,


Nice snow hat...looks like a few I saw in Nepal!


I recently visited the Rat Temple while in Bikaner, which is in the north of Rajasthan. The rats here are treated as sacred and protected. If you step on one you have to put a coin down in its place. While this is really a unique experience, I don't think you would be able to experience anywhere else in the world, this place is definitely not for the squeamish.
Shoes are not allowed to be worn and covers are provided for your feet (thankfully!!) but this was still a little too close to those dirty not so little rodents for my liking. After seeing the Indian people let the rats crawl all over them and one mistaking me for an Indian and trying his luck up the leg of my pants, I was ready to get out of there quick smart!!
Being a once in a lifetime experience I'm glad I've been able to visit but positive I will not be returning!!


I much prefer squirrels, which remind me of being in America.


Happy snow shoveling!
Love E xx

Snow Storm

Dear Em,


I have been a little under the weather lately.  Hearing about the lines and seeing your pictures really cheered me up!  Oh, also, I got your postcard from Phuket!  Yay!  How exciting...


We had a massive snowstorm last week on Thursday... they declared it a "snow emergency" in Rockford and the surrounding cities.  I had to shovel twice in a matter or 3 hours since the snow was coming so fast!  (chelly helped, she loves to shovel.)  Paul even had to shovel once the next day... that is a lot of shoveling for one storm!  I bet you have never had to shovel in your life.  I am excited for you to move here so I can teach you how to shovel!  haha... you will hate it.  

On top of it we are having another snow storm today.  I will be spending the evening shoveling, again, but this time there is a light at the end of the tunnel... buffalo chicken wings for dinner!  Even in the dismal weather buffalo chicken can warm the soul.  Maybe I will even get some mozzarella sticks (aka fried cheese) in your honor. 


Here's wishing you were here... with a shovel in hand!


Yours with love- Anna

"Hello...there is a line"

Hey Ann,
I'm forming a love/hate relationship with India and it can change in an instant. I am a lover of the chaos which I grew to love living in Beijing. I love the feel of a big city like New York or Chicago but here it's the quieter places I'm liking the most. I'm currently writing to you from the very relaxing roof top of my hotel which looks out towards the Jaisalmer Fort and soaking up some desert sun. I have already seen a number of forts in India (each city seems to have one along with a palace) but this has a particular grandness about it. Jaisalmer is a smaller city near the desert that has been build in and around this fort complete with guesthouses, restaurants, shops with a few cows and stray dogs just like everywhere else in India. The view from the top looks out into the desert which is a real treat at sunset.
Today I went to the post office to mail you another postcard. These places tend to frustrate me a lot as people here do not know how to form a queue. I tend to get mad and yell at people, today being no exception. What was different was this time people did listen and a line of five people formed behind me...miracle!!! The people here tend to have the same mentality as the Chinese and that pushing and shoving is vital for survival. I much prefer the more orderly way of the western world and being here does make me appreciate those small things we take for granted like the ability to form an orderly line.
So next time you are in a queue spare a thought for me and the madness I can't escape even in these smaller less chaotic cities.
Love Em xx

On socks and flip-flops...

Emma,


I am quite surprised that you buckled and wore socks with your flip-flops (don't you call them thongs?  haha)... even if it was wash day.  I am certain I remember you making fun of me doing this on my trip to Tibet, saying how you would never stoop to that level... I could be exaggerating.  

We have a pretty neat exhibit at the Discovery Center Museum right now.  It is about nature and is explained by the Peanuts gang!  

Ben's team won their basketball game last night!  You would be so proud!  He is soooo tall.

I am trying to eat healthier so yesterday I made beet soup.  I haven't tried it yet as I ate loaded nachos at the b-ball game, but at least it is made so now when I need to eat I can just warm up a bowl of beet soup... just thinking about it is making me frown haha.  I will let you know how it is!  


How's the food in India?  Any amazing dishes?  Let me know if there is something you recommend and I will try to make it here!  Be safe!!!!


Yours with love- A

Fashion Faux Pas of the Average Backpacker

Namaste A,
As you know I have always been interested in fashion and taken pride in my appearance. Now that I am a backpacker once again I am less rigid about what I wear and how my hair looks and more focused on warmth and comfort (within reason). But seeing other backpackers around I'm ashamed for them!!! When was wearing a blanket around your shoulders a replacement for a jacket? (I have seen this countless times...are people really that lazy to buy a jacket?) Or wearing black 3/4 leggings with white fancy lace around the bottom with black socks pulled up and flip flops ok? I admit I have subjected myself to wearing socks with flip flops but only on wash day or when my hiking boots had to be tossed away and a replacement found.
I remember how we took pride in our appearance when we travelled around south east Asia and always looked cute even for long bus rides.
Maybe times have changed or perhaps because the climate is different here in India or the age of the hippie is making a strong comeback or perhaps some people have just been traveling WAY toooo long but the things I'm seeing really do astound me!
E xx

Memory Monday [3]

Hi Emma!


Well things have gotten colder on this side of the world, but still no sign of snow.  Do you remember what we were doing about this time when we lived in Beijing?  We went to Harbin to the Ice-Lantern Festival!  

The train ride up to Harbin was soooo cold!  Once we got there it was even colder... eyelashes froze, mobiles and cameras died, we had to wear layer upon layer of clothing whenever we ventured from the comfort of the hotel...

There was a really pretty cathedral there as well...St. Sofia's.

You wore that scary balaclava the whole time... well some of the time...

Other highlights included Stalin Park, the Russian Ice Bar, and Siberian Tiger Park!  


That was such a fun trip!  I'm sure you are having just as much fun wherever you are now... though I bet you are enjoying the weather much more!  Miss you!


Yours with love-Anna

The Taj Mahal

Hey A,
It was everything I had ever imagined and such a surreal experience. I was completely in awe when seeing the Taj Mahal from the very first moment.
It took 22 years to build out of white marble, and it really does express the love one emperor had for one of his wives. Inside is delicate mosaic works with the tombs of the emperor Shah Jahan and his favorite wife who was able to give him 14 children.
It's the most beautiful building I have ever seen even giving me chills (just like the Great Wall of China and the Terracota Warriors in Xian did.)
Definitely the highlight of the trip so far just one person was missing :(
Love Em xx

Farewell Nepal

Dear Ann,
While Nepal was always a place I had dreamed of visiting I leave knowing it's somewhere I'll never return to.
The two weeks spent there were quite the adventure from trekking the Annapurna mountains to just surviving the poorly kept, rubbish cluttered cliff side roads. We never quite knew what to expect when ordering food, one day it might be one thing and the next a completely different interpretation of the same dish.
It was disappointing to see such picturesque landscape ruined by people who think it's ok to toss their rubbish on the ground or out the car window and a country who has no system in place to dispose of it.
But there were things I loved about the country, like the prayer flags hanging everywhere you can possibly imagine, getting the opportunity to meet some amazing people and who can forget White Mischief their vodka!!
We were eagerly awaiting our departure to Delhi to meet Sabrina and make our way to the Taj Mahal. Unfortunately Jet Airways had other ideas when canceling our flight after hours of delays. On the upside it was nice to be put up in luxury accommodation after our usual budget digs and be spoilt with a huge buffet breakfast (Check out the photos below). The following day was yet again totally chaotic at the airport causing numerous arguments and punch ups, and yes we did cause a couple!! Oops!!
Eventually a new flight was arranged which was an obvious delight to all the passengers many who had gone crazy at some point over the past 26 hours...this even got a few Indian men dancing...probably too much White Mischief!!
You would have gone mental at the airport...I think I've taken on your usual role on this trip..besides planner extraordinaire!!! Haha

Missing you and wishing you were here to see the Taj Mahal with me...I've been waiting so long!!

Love Em xx

Hello 2012

Hey Emma!


Sounds like your trek was gruesome!  I'm proud that you made it and in record time at that.  Good work.


Paul and I rang in the new year in the suburbs of Chicago with some friends.  I wish you would have been there... my purse caught on an old lady's hair (well, relatively old) and she yelled at me!  It seriously did nothing to her hair but lift a tiny piece for like 5 seconds.  Later, when we were walking by her again, she told her friends I was "the {insert naughty word} who messed up her hair."  Can you believe her!  The nerve!  I walked out of the ballroom and around the outside when I needed to get back to the dance floor as I didn't want to chance seeing her again.

I could have really used your back-up on the dance floor too!  Some crazy drunk girl stole Ashish's party hat and gave it to her boyfriend.  When Tina went over to confront her, she snatched the Happy New Year tiara right off Tina's head.  Then they started elbowing and trying to invade our space... I had none of the space invading.  They may or may not have run into my very sharp elbows while I was doing some amazing dance moves, and then backed down...  I mean seriously, who acts like that at a new years party?!  (well, they also might have cleared away because someone kept passing some serious gas and I kept turning around and telling them to stop stinking up the place... though we will never really know if it was them, the smell did subside once they moved on!)  

All in all it was a really fun night!  You would have really enjoyed the snack buffet at midnight... and the brunch the next day too!  


Did you do anything exciting for New Year's Eve?  Your photos all look amazing so far, and I'm trying desperately not to be jealous!  Miss you!


Yours with love- Anna