Hippiechicks World Tour!

scoobz · 05-09-2009, 21:08

As most people are aware, starting tomorrow, my fellow Group Leader Hippiechick3 embarks on a 3-4 month Billy Connolly type World Tour taking in amongst other places India, Cambodia, Vietnam, New Zealand and USA.
Obviously, as an extremely popular member of the Shamblers, she will be greatly missed while she is on her travels, but at the same time, I'm sure that like me, all her friends in here are envious of what she is doing, and wish her all the best for this fantastic adventure.
However, my reason for starting this thread isn't just to wish her a safe and happy "Tour", but also to ask her whether when she gets a few minutes, she wouldn't mind keeping in touch with the Group via this thread, as a kind of blog, during the time that she's away. I'm certain there are people in here like yours truly who don't "do" facebook, and some short updates now and again from her would be just lovely for us who don't like social networking

.
Once again, I hope you have a great time HC3, and just make sure you get back safe and sound, and not too tanned

taxman · 05-09-2009, 21:16

Although we aren't too bothered about detailed descriptions of Delhi Belly and things like that

I'll look forward to news of your travels in dispatches xx

Daremedo · 06-09-2009, 07:23

Sorry we didnt make the leaving due

have a great time you lucky thing you it will be over before you know it.

taxman · 06-09-2009, 11:41

Have a great time xxx

Rivelin6 · 06-09-2009, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by taxman

Have a great time xxx

That was Rivelin6 forgetting to log out again

Nooka · 08-09-2009, 15:33

Hi everyone,

I got a text from HC3 today, she is in Agra, India and she sent me a photo of the Taj Mahal of course!

She says India is crazy, she is having fun and learning to say NO to all the beggars! Also said it was very hot but raining.

Dont know what the time difference is but I got the message at 14:38

taxman · 08-09-2009, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nooka

Hi everyone,

I got a text from Lizzie today, she is in Agra, India and she sent me a photo of the Taj Mahal of course!

She says India is crazy, she is having fun and learning to say NO to all the beggars! Also said it was very hot but raining.

Dont know what the time difference is but I got the message at 14:38

Fantastic. Agra is amazing and The Taj Mahal really does have to be seen to be believed. No amount of photos or TV shows can prepare you for its sheer majesty.

Hippiechick3 · 09-09-2009, 09:33

Wow its amazing. This is day 3. We first went to Delhi which was crazy. Its very disorganised to my eyes and the streets are full of people trying to sell me things I have no use for ( like a whip?). Women with babies come up begging and tugging at my clothes. We are told they are 'professional' beggars and not to give but it feels awful to just ignore them. Didnt see much of Delhi as we left very early the day after for the train to Agra. Im sharing a room with a girl from north of Aberdeen, she works on the oil rigs and is very broadly spoken. In Agra we went to the Taj Mahal, where it rained. Then visitd the Baby Taj which is much quiter and more intimate. I decided to 'go local' with out shoes and burnt my feet on the marble. I also got a bit nervous about the ants which were the size of my big toe! We rented a tuk tuk and driver for the day and he sort of acted as our guide and security and helped us out when needed with buying stuff. The selling pressure is so much that it actually puts you off having any interaction with them. Had lots of lovely curry but was pleased to see toast and bolied eggs this morning. Today we have spent 5 hours on a local bus with no air con travelling to Jaipur. There are cows and goats roaming freely in the road. Traffic doesnt pay much attention to rules or even particularly drive on the left (even on dual carriageways)Its manic all the time but Im pretty chilled out with it and have got into the swing of it quite nicely. Personal hygeine is my first sad loss as its so dirty on the streets that you are covered in dust all the time so I have been showering twice a day and washing my hands in what has become an OCD fashion. I'm loving it! The Indians really look after you and its very safe here if you are sensible. Later we are gong to the Pink Palace and maybe seeing a Hind movie. It looks like I can upload photos her so will try later on to face book. The things I have seen are already too numerous to mention. The poverty is staggering but no one seeems to be starving - its seems to me that life is just lived very differently.

I'm missing you all and really appreciate texts ( so please text me!). It costs the same as if me and my phone were in the UK.

Love HC3

Rivelin6 · 09-09-2009, 19:36

Glad to see you're enjoying yourself and staying safe. xx

Lorri · 09-09-2009, 19:47

Great to read your update HC... happy travels

taxman · 09-09-2009, 19:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivelin6

Glad to see you're enjoying yourself and staying safe. xx

India is really safe. There is hardly any person to person crime in most states. If you leave your camera unattended it will go walkies, but thats just your price for being stupid.

Hippiechick3 · 10-09-2009, 13:50

In Jaipur today and yesterday. Its more crazy than before if thats possible. Last night I was head butted by a cow and I was in a shop at the time! I thought of BM at the time and would have liked to have seen her face! Today we hired a tuk tuk again and went to the Amber fort and the Observatory. Here they do your horoscopes and tel the time ( when its sunny). I am bitten to death already and am sat here in my walking boots socks and long trousers even though its about 35 degrees. Tomorrow were off to Uidaipur whihc is on a lake. Still having a great time. Thanks for the text - sorry I cant return them but its really nice and comforting to hear from people back home. I am struggling to put photos on facebook but give me time. Hope everyone is well. Happy birthday BM - sorry Im missing it.

splodgeyAl · 10-09-2009, 14:18

Good to hear you're having a good time. Not jealous, no, not me. It's great sitting in an office in Sheffield - you dunno what you're missing

Stay safe x

Hippiechick3 · 15-09-2009, 15:32

Hello All

Im in Udaipur at the moment and going 4 hours by bus to Mount abu tomorrow. OUr last bus to Jaipur broke down on Snake pass. The axle literally fell off and we huddled in the slither of shade the bus created on a hair pin bend whilst our replacemtn bus came. The locals came and took photos! This was all after the bus driver had been in a fight with a not to be passenger. Inbdia never stops surprising me. pushkar was lovely. no meat ( heaven) and no alcohol( not quite heaven). We went to the Bramahn temple ( The creator) and were blessed by the priest there. It was all a big con and i now have a piece of nice but expensive cotton tied to my wrist. The highlight of Pushkar was a sunset camel ride to the sand dunes. I wasnt keen at first due to my fear of all animals but it was great ( Zoe did you get the picture taken from top of said camel). it all went well until the Camel tried to stand when I was only half on. No injury though and everyone laughed, including me. Udaipur was the scene for Octopussy which is playing in several cafes arounbd here. ITs set around a beatutiful lake with two palaces on it. We took a boat ride and stoped off at one of the Palaces for a quick peak before the King came over for the night. People were doing laundry around the lake and bathing at the ghats. I also went to the Jadesh temple where some Indian women laughed at me because of my head scarf ( thanks mum). They said i tied it like an old woman and then procedded to sort me out. Then they broke into song and started clapping and we danced in the temple. it was lovely and the best real thing that happened so far.
Today I hgad a lazy day by the pool - i drank two pints of beer last night ( says not more than 8 per cent on the bottle??) and had a cracking indian hangover today. Too hot to booze I have found out.
Rivelin 6 - glad youre better. x

Hemlock · 15-09-2009, 20:48

I thought the Snake Pass was between Sheffield & Manchester!!

I've never heard of Inbdia - Is it anywhere near India?

Anyway, glad you're having such a wonderful time, & carry on up the Khyber! (is that in Inbdia?!?)

MissChatter · 15-09-2009, 21:24

Hi HC3 hope your trip is going well and that you are not missing much (oh you are really) hahaha anyway it sounds totally fab. I miss you loads hun keep us posted with your news.xx

LitleMermaid · 16-09-2009, 12:34

Wow Hippiechick! I know I'm not a member of the group really, but I think I'm going to become addicted to this thread!

Have a fabulous time, I am very very jealous!

billysmum · 16-09-2009, 14:12

So glad to hear your having a great time x

Rivelin6 · 16-09-2009, 15:26

Thanks Hippiechicks for the best wishes and it's great to know how much you're enjoying yourself- keep it up xx

scoobz · 16-09-2009, 19:47

Myself and Great Uncle Bulgaria, the new Shamblers mascot, would like to say thank you to HC3 for the updates, and also sincerely hope that the Shambling song is regularly being sung in the Empire, and beyond