Around the world with 80 gadgets - Around the world with 80 gadgets

I took a short train ride yesterday and talked for a while with a police officer who sat next to me. He remembered Norway's efforts in negotiating peace in Sri Lanka, being Tamil like most people in the southwestern Indian state of Tamil Nadu (the Tamil people are being suppressed by the Singhalese majority population in Sri Lanka).

This pink scooter is very popular. First time I saw it a woman with a matching sari rode it, but many men use it as well.

Temples and worshiping

Places of worship are found everywhere in India. Hindus, Moslems, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs and many more live peacefully side by side it seems. I have been to a few Hindu Temples and churches these past few days and must say I enjoy it.

Swastikas

In India, the swastika is a symbol with long traditions that people are unwilling to stop using just because of the second world war. It's everywhere here and I'm getting used to seeing it. But then I had a look at the padlock on my hotel door!

Ah, I spent yesterday sleeping under the fan in my room and in the lovely (but probably a little dirty) pool. In the morning it was filled with 15 Indian guys that went completely quiet when I entered the pool area ... only one dared to say hello. Hilarious! Then I went shopping for a tailored Shalwar Kameez (tunic and pants worn especially in the Punjabi province up north), a silver anklet and a lovely hand painted bamboo thingy with religious motifs.

People here are sooo friendly and helpful! At the airport I was directed to the train by 4 different persons without even asking. At the train stations I get plenty of help - I usually know where I'm going, but there are no time tables, hardly any signs saying where you are or where you're going and on one station there weren't even numbered tracks.

Turns out I had chosen a very stupid transport (to the city center) and hotel (at Heathrow) in London for the first night, but it didn't really matter. I got everywhere on time and had no problems. I even saw a bonus fox on a playground in the morning! I was surprised at how comfy the flight to India was with 3 seats to myself, a delicious meal and landing even before schedule. Then I decided to start the adventure right away and take the train into the city centre as it was only 6 rupees and a taxi was 250 (after waiting for 1,5 hours for dawn in an airport cafe, mind you).

Only a week to go! I should probably worry more than I do, but I've been waiting for so long it just feels natural that I'm leaving ... Everything is arranged with my worldly possessions, my rom is sublet, everything is packed and all equipment and travel insurance has been bought, credit cards are ready and everything is basically on schedule.

I leave in less than a month. Of course I have to test pack. And I must say it went quite well.

First I laid out almost all the stuff I'm bringing on the bed and tried to get an overview of what I actually was going to take with me. I chucked out a few items like the plate and cup set, some clothing and the big rain poncho.