Sorry for the delay in blog updates. As a lot of you know I have been on the ultimate traveling mission. I am finally home and am back in the swing of things.
New Years was spent in Goa, India’s most famous and touristy beach area, which was amazing! A few of the AIF fellows and a few of my Hyderabad friends made the four days in Goa perfect. I had forgotten how much I loved the beach…so instead of being the normal tourist freak that I am, we spent every single day in the water and lying in the sun, something I realize I desperately needed. Each night was filled with parties in extremely packed clubs and parties located right on the beach. New Years Eve was spent in a fantastic club with marvelous décor and a brilliant view of the beach. Goa, overall was a fantastic time.
New Years was spent in Goa, India’s most famous and touristy beach area, which was amazing! A few of the AIF fellows and a few of my Hyderabad friends made the four days in Goa perfect. I had forgotten how much I loved the beach…so instead of being the normal tourist freak that I am, we spent every single day in the water and lying in the sun, something I realize I desperately needed. Each night was filled with parties in extremely packed clubs and parties located right on the beach. New Years Eve was spent in a fantastic club with marvelous décor and a brilliant view of the beach. Goa, overall was a fantastic time.
Pictures from Goa:
http://uci.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2197911&l=19acc&id=6011342
I also got to do some sight seeing in Bombay with some other AIF fellow, first, however, I was picked up and taken out for a wonderful evening with a friend who lives in there. Bombay was everything I imagined, and I am sure you all can believe how excited my friend Sumit and I were at the sound of random Bollywood music playing in the middle of the street. Unfortunately Shahid Kapoor, my new Indian actor love, did not pop out from around a corner and start serenading me with a beautiful Indian song and his dancing, which I obviously hoped would happen, but besides that small disappointment, Bombay was such a vibrant city to visit! I really understand why so many people have fallen in love with Bombay.
After my AIF training a few of the other fellows and I got to go to Jaipur, Rajasthan to see another fellow get married. We were so lucky to be able to attend the wedding as it was at a beautiful castle with all the special traditional trimmings. Her husband even came in on an elephant to meet her! I love Indian weddings!!
Finally most of you know I was supposed to travel with my parents and brother to Pakistan to visit where my dad was born and raised. Unfortunately there was a slight problem with my visa and if I left India to go to Pakistan I might not have been allowed back into India. Though all that paper work is sorted out now, I am disappointed I was not able to join my family. My brother was able to see a lot of my dad’s childhood which is something I so desire to see. As my wonderful roommate has reminded me, everything works out for a reason.
Pictures from Bombay and Jaipur:
I also got to do some sight seeing in Bombay with some other AIF fellow, first, however, I was picked up and taken out for a wonderful evening with a friend who lives in there. Bombay was everything I imagined, and I am sure you all can believe how excited my friend Sumit and I were at the sound of random Bollywood music playing in the middle of the street. Unfortunately Shahid Kapoor, my new Indian actor love, did not pop out from around a corner and start serenading me with a beautiful Indian song and his dancing, which I obviously hoped would happen, but besides that small disappointment, Bombay was such a vibrant city to visit! I really understand why so many people have fallen in love with Bombay.
After my AIF training a few of the other fellows and I got to go to Jaipur, Rajasthan to see another fellow get married. We were so lucky to be able to attend the wedding as it was at a beautiful castle with all the special traditional trimmings. Her husband even came in on an elephant to meet her! I love Indian weddings!!
Finally most of you know I was supposed to travel with my parents and brother to Pakistan to visit where my dad was born and raised. Unfortunately there was a slight problem with my visa and if I left India to go to Pakistan I might not have been allowed back into India. Though all that paper work is sorted out now, I am disappointed I was not able to join my family. My brother was able to see a lot of my dad’s childhood which is something I so desire to see. As my wonderful roommate has reminded me, everything works out for a reason.
Pictures from Bombay and Jaipur:
During my family’s trip to Pakistan Benazir Bhutto was assassinated. They were traveling in a car in the old city of Lahore (Northern Pakistan) when all the city’s lights went out and people started to run in fear of riots. My parent’s driver was also scared and started backing up the car into auto rickshaws until they were able to pull into an alley and hide out for a while. That night the whole city turned off and lights were only on through generators. The next day my family drove over the border of Pakistan into India’s Amritsar. They were advised not to, however took the risk and thankfully arrived safely. Thank you all for all your concerned emails and phone calls.
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