Only in India would you have your photo surreptitiously snapped on a cellphone camera by a police officer who you stopped to ask directions from (who didn't know the directions anyway). I hope I was blinking.
I have been invited to an Indian wedding in Kashmir by a man I met in a coffee shop. Now I have bought a plane ticket to Kashmir... just a slight change in plans! I will only be in Rishikesh for 3 days. Not very long, but oh well. Hopefully it will be enough time to actually do something.
It's strange how some days just completely escape me. I really have not done anything today. I guess I did all my Christmas shopping today (I didn't get any very good deals, my bartering skills are not that great) and then posted it (I hope it makes it!). I meant to go to the art gallery, but I got intercepted by Abdulla (the man who invited me to the wedding). We had lunch together. He's a funny man. I know instinctually that he's a good person, but I still wonder at why he invited me to his niece's wedding. He's not even going, but his brother, Noor is. I met Noor and he also has a very good vibe. I think that this hospitable/inclusive nature that many Indians seem to possess is still a bit of a mystery to me. I don't quite understand it yet. Often I feel a bit suspicious of them at first, but then it (usually) turns out that they really are just being nice and that they are not expecting anything in return (like that man from the plane when I arrived). It's difficult to find the right balance between being smart and open. I mean, if you're too open you can be naive and get in trouble, but if you're too "smart" you become closed and don't meet anyone. Sometimes you have to take chances on people. Anyway, I feel good about this one. I'm excited to go so far north!! Good thing I still have the sweater I bought in Istanbul! Many times I have thought about ditching it to lighten my load, now I am pleased that I am still hauling it about, mind you I have used it a few times in Delhi as it can be a bit chilly at night and in the mornings.
Last night I went for a beer. I met a couple of other travelers who were super sketchy and weird. I have met many nice travelers here, but I also see that it is easy for less-than-savoury types to be drawn into the Indian life. The affordability of India and the availability of anything you could possibly wish for, including drugs, opens the door to everyone. One of the travelers I met last night looked like a crack head. He depressed me deeply and it was easy for me to not stay for more than one beer!
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