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Other entries in Udaipur

Bond... James Bond.

Since I have begun travelling in mid-Decemeber every city I have visited has outdone the previous and Udaipur is certainly no exception. Located in Southern Rajastan Udaipur is considered the romance capital of India and so far that seems to hold true with the misty moutains, mirror smooth lakes and narrow, winding, allyways. Also it is cheap, so I am happy as a clam. After along overnight train trip - and being pestered by Mumbai Indian Transvestites, but that is another story - I arrived in Ahmedabad, jumped on a seven hour morning bus ride north and was in Udaipur by lunch. I think what makes Udaipur so attractive to tourists is its sterotypical India-ness, it is exactly how most people - or at least me - imagine India before arriving. All the streets are narrow and winding, there are bazarrs around every corner, and camels and cows feel free to wander where they like. It was probably this stereo typical India that brought the movie producers here, the first half of the movie "007 : Octopussy" was shot in Udaipur so if anyone cares to see where I am I would definately suggest you check it out. The most entertaining bit is that the floating fortress is actually existant... though I don't think it is populated by evil villans... it is situated on an island in a lake within Udaipur, the island is relitively small so the building covers every square inch of it and makes it look as if the structure were literally floating on water. I think it was orriganally a kings palace but now cateers to rich tourists willing to spend $375 a night.

Anyway I am currently staying in a dorm room for $1.50 a night and eating amazing meals for $1.20, life is good. There has definatly been a lot of chilling out but I am managing to stay productive. I met up with some of the Gap members and also a friendly australian in the hostel, so we shared a rickshaw and spent a day touring the city's castels and bazaars. Last night we also saw a live Rajahstani dance which was probably the best preformance I have seen in India. I think it can be summed up in a few words: 9 brass pots balanced on head & broken glass. Anyway I am going to spend one more day here relaxing by the lake and then will be on the road again. Tomorrow morning I am bound for the blue city of Johdapur... coincidently every building in the city is blue.

-Adam

P.S. A massive monkey just jumped onto the roof of this internet cafe and the owners are trying to persuade it to leave with a large stick.

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