Busy days in India

Gill is a phenomenal sport. Our tour of northern India officially begins tomorrow but she unofficially let us begin yesterday and we've been having fun.

Today started off a bit chilly (12C) but we all toddled off to the Hindu mandir version of Disneyland. We visited Swaminarayan Akshardham, a complex dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. There are no photos since they divest you of everything but the clothes on your back, including your shoes, before they let you on the grounds. The complex and temple are gorgeously insanely intricately carved but it's the exhibitions that really upped the Disney quotient.

The first exhibition was an entire building full of scenes from the swami's life acted out in numerous theatres by animatronic dolls. Think about that for a moment. Acted out by moving dolls. I could totally imagine some US bible belter watching this & deciding Fatherlover, Arkansas needs these dolls for it's Jesus theme park.

They we watched an Imax movie of the swami's life. At least those who stayed awake did.

The coup de grace was the indoor boat cruise demonstrating 10,000 years of Indian civilization in 10 minutes. Now, that's a good clip. We got in a boat that ran all Phantom-of-the Opera style through dioramas of great moments in Indian civilization. Did you know that indians invented all things ever? It's true, but guys like Pythagoras and Newton got all the press.

It was a fun experience made even better by the Indian people wanting to touch us or having us touch their babies. Once people got past security and got cameras back we were being used as the backdrop for photos. People literally posed in front of us to get their photos taken. Well, maybe not me so much since, in a kurta, I get mistaken for Indian. Thailand tan for the win!

We spent 7 hours at the complex. Crazy.

Hugo didn't want to travel in the men's subway car alone on the way back so I rode with him. Women have their own car on the subway, which most make use of, so I really got the stares from the men in the mixed car. No one was at all disrespectful, though.

Emboldened by my trip in the men's car and desiring some hard to come by alcohol, I then walked into a bar of only Indian men to request an off sale of beer. Everyone looked stunned, except Hugo, who followed in my wake. It didn't feel at all dangerous but it was pretty clear that Indian women don't just saunter into bars and demand beer to take out. Actually, it was pretty fun. And I got my beer.

I really like the Indians I have encountered so far. People have been far friendlier, more curious and helpful than I found the Thais to be. Not that the Thais weren't, but the Indians are pretty special.

I just might like it here.