Bangkok

sheesh, when did Thailand cease to be the land of smiles and became "Tourist-land". Mind you tis peak season, and I've never experianced this time of year here before - due to extream measurers NOT to be.....ahh, ahhhhhhh now I understand why.
There is not a single piece of land NOT overtaken by tourists or no-longer-smiling-thai's.
My old guest house is now owned by Israil and offers Sakshuka for breaky not the traditional white noodle and fish sauce the locals and I like so much.
The shopping however!! hooo boy. my chapples/jandles/flipflops/thongs were stolen at a Kali Temple in Varanassi so I'm here in 10c rubber numbers, unlike 5 years before when you could be traveling India or Thailand there was so little difference, now I feel and likely look, like a hippy, not the cool kind either.
Kate, someone I met on the road a few years back and who is now living in Thailand, will sort me out, I'm off to her's for Christmas, there's a bangalow in a national park in the north booked and some friends to see the season in with. nice one.
Enjoy the festive season. love Cathy

Mother India

Nepal was great, I say this with a lopsided grin, as it was and wasn't. could've been great if I was in for making the stereotype of "tourist" friends that bored me silly and drinking my money away...rather I ate myself penniless and hung out in Freak street, where there was sadly a lack of freaks! (though I did meet a few wondrous souls) Finally back in Mother India. Varanassi city, I love love love it here, I really do. sheesh what can I say? I've eaten Idly 4 times already (this morning) in four establishments of rickety wooden benches and mud floors, watched bulls gouge each other over a female bones showing and missing an ear, dolphins in the filthy Ganges, drunk Chai surrounded by naked ash covered sadus, made new colorful friends. I have an entire roof top to myself, that overlooks the Ganges River, with its floating bodies man and beast, dolphins (swimming) and garbage (preferably not swimming) ahhhhh ah ahhhhhh
stretch in the sun, wiggling toes likely covered in 1,000,000 men's urine
such views, such food, and live Sitar concert tonight
grin ;-)