The Maddest Bestival "Glastonbury" experience

Glastonbury

Packed my stuff into John's car in a rainy Monday afternoon, we head to Glastonbury. My mind was full of excitement and curiosity. Glastonbury festival is my first experience of any kind of festival and European culture. I haven't been in UK either EU for only four days in my whole life and I was already heading to Glastonbury festival. It was a such a lucky opportunity of mine. As well as I got work and made friends before the festival, that made my days in Glasto so special. We were heading towards to this massive cloudy sky with heavy rain, bit disappointment and anxious on my mind but still happy in sides. When we got there, the famous Glasto sticky maddy field welcomed us straight. Greeting with Finn and we set up our camp tents on the green field in the rain. My tent was 1.5m by 1.8m square, it was really small for me to stay for three weeks but what can I complain. Packed out most of my stuff and squeezed into this small hole, pumped up the air bed and through down on the space, I got really excited. We didn't have to do much on that day so we just chilled out and had couple of drinks with Greenpeace people with bonfire in front in the night.

From that day, my conscious has slightly loosen with 9 bottles of vodka flied into the sky with some balloons filled with dreamy memories.

Each day, the field has built up bigger and crowder, filled up with lively and noisy people and construction noise. We walked around place called Shangri La, they had some massive things like broken space ship as a diner, mechanical face stands up middle of nowhere and a rusted aero plane. The stage for the concert looks like a futuristic planet and some gypsy camps. The whole area was built up with insanity mind set. We walked up to the stone circle and chilled out some times, looking down the whole area has been changing every hour. BBQ was absolutely stunning. Working with Greenpeace people was really fun and thoughtful. Everyone was really friendly and cheerful, also they have something very interesting life in each individuals. I had really good fun with them.

Cafe Tango had definitely the best crew. Everyday, we worked slightly hard, listening to nice music, jumping and running around. We got really nice sound systems in the kitchen and beautiful tunes all the times. Quite often, we had own time to break and I walked around the Glastonbury festival town. It is so huge that we call it town. There is many many shops, restaurants, cafes, massages, handy crafts, antique, arts, buildings, bars and fields to chill. My favorite place is that its up on the hill right next the field from stone circle. There is much less people and still has green glass and be able to chill out from the chaotic mess of festival people. I have walked around with Daisy once and had rest for an hour, that was absolutely awesome. Unfortunately, the Cafe Tango was located in bit quiet Green peace field so it has been quiet most of the festival but we were all rocking the place.

Two day during the preparation, I had some painting days for Cafe Tango logo for the front. I got stressed out about finishing and made mistake with spelling and so on, but I had lots of help from Hanna and made it through ok. It was a bit of fun.

The Thursday, the festival began to mess. I went out with some of the crew from Tango, visited a bar and Sarah gave a balloon for the night. That was really fun. I got little hole in my wellington since the day two but it got worse and started to leak lots of water in... I always had wet feet and made massive blisters on my feet. That was horrible but during the night, I had so much fun to forget about them. Couple of nights I have passed out but the crew looked after me so nice.

Friday, I went out with Bexy from Tango 2. We had really nice dancing night out, walked around everywhere in the Glasto and end up in a small bar dancing just two of us with nice rockabelly tunes. We caught up with Raf, Hanna and Marla and danced in the Arcadia stage. It was really maddy stage and we were dancing on the mad like retards, stumping on the ground and fell over couple of time. Next morning, when I got up, I had so much mad on my sleeping bed and was really disgusting but what can I say... so much fun.

Saturday, the festival got really bigger and more crowdy, after work, we straight hit the concert of Chemical Brothers. Me and Daisy lost rest of the crew while we went to toilet then the live has began. We walked through the crowd till we can not move any farther, started to dance like crazy people. In the display of the stage, there is some light coming out as light dancers and big faces laughing and made us feel great. We head to Arcadia after but the road was closed. Although, Daisy was crazy enough to walk through the side, so we sneaked into the stage and there goes the party. We went up to the stage and started to jump around with nice electro tune. We both danced till the end of the energy we had.

Sunday, the best and the last. The restaurant got really busy for the breakfast and lunch. People were getting exhausted from this whole week of madness. But this was the last day of Glasto so that we push ourself one more level and everybody got mental. When the job is done all the crew from the Tango got together, decided to hit the road to Arcadia. The road was mess but the weather was perfect. We closed the cafe about 10 o'clock and we all got to Arcadia. Moving around with lots of people was mess, waiting for another friends, toilet and filling up more alcohol and stuff; takes time. We managed to arrive in Arcadia about mid night and the show was about to start. We squeezed into the massive crowd and got to the front line. The show started with a violinist with beautiful dress played some note into electro tune, they colored in blue and smoke, a silence and heavy bass, the violin penetrates the sound of silence and a singer with beautiful voice moving towards the music. It sounds weird but I felt like it. Then suddenly, many people appeared on the stage dancing with rope. three rings was on fire in the sky, dancers were dancing in the rings like mysterious cats, then the monstrous fire blowed out from the top of this massive spider looking metal stage with sound of heat. We could feel the heat of sound underneath my skin running through my face, arms and hands where exposed. The show was really magical and tripping. Then we moved to the other side of stage where we found more friends dancing and jumping. We were screaming and greeting, that we glad to meet them on the site. Hours pass by as the sound of speed. Balloons were flying in the sky in between the fire and sound of bass, feeling numb on my legs but the crystal energies kept me stands and dance. Jumping on sky to people, music was really great that went into my ear in silent. I couldn't hear any more but the vision of sound made me smile. Everyone was there, the Cafe Tango crew and Greenpeace crew. Everyone was happy, screaming and shouting, jumping and hugging. Everyone was there till the sun came out. I went far out from the stage once for the wee, the site was full of people surrounding the firing stage with chaotic pleasure and sound. The light of the the stage was flashing the crowd in the middle of field turned them into massive music guru. All the people was gone into the stage of level where people meets heaven.

When the sun light shine upon us, we found ourselves in the atmosphere of end of the gig or shall I say art of music. The stage was full of mess and tension of silence in the head. The air was filled with morning fog and it was like in the dream of an end. We head back to Cafe Tango afterwards and had a little chat. I passed out but some people went to stone circle for the sunrise. That is the end of the big event of Glastonbury.

Monday, after couple of hours of sleep, I woke up with the heat of tent. It was beautiful sunshine day. Had a shower and went to Cafe Tango, had breakfast. We just chilled out for the day around. I couldn't do anything.

Just like that, one of my craziest experience of bestival time has gone in maddy field, stayed in the dirtiest place I lived where the smallest tent space for three weeks.

New journey began from UK, England

England

London

Arrived in England, Heathrow air port 12:30 pm through Russian airline, stop over in Moscow for couple of hours. As I always do, I had two meals in the air plane. If you ask if there is some left over in the flight, they usually do and give them to you. If you are on budget travel, you should ask for that. Then I had some roasted pork. Since I haven't had any pork in India the meal was really filling. Anyway, I was bid worried about immigration in England because I heard that it is difficult to cross the boarder since I didn't have any ticket to go out of the country and some people who didn't have ticket they have been sent away or forced buy another ticket in airport. But when the serious looking immigration man asked me about what's the reason that I want to stay in England for 6 month, I answered that I play music with my friend and showed my guitar he suddenly laughed and gave me a stump. I was really lucky I guess that I got through with any troubles.

As soon as I got out from the gate, John was there to pick me up. We haven't seen each other for over three years, I really glad to meet him. Jump on his car, hit the street and we had lots of talk about our journey. But also, I was really excited about England views. We walked through the town, got on tubes “English people call tube as subway” in the shitty English weather.

We stayed in his sister's place in Notting hill. First night, John, his sister, and her friend and I went out for drink in the area and got really drunk. It was really fun but realized me that England is really expensive place to live. Next day was really cloudy, had bit of rain as well but we walked around and did some shopping for the rest of the days we stay in London town. That night I got diarrhea. I guess I wasn't ready for the London water.

Another day is also quite a lot of rain came down on the town. We just chilled out for the morning and went out to see John's friend in the evening. I met Max and he is a film maker in London and had a nice chat. We all went to BBQ for the night in their friends house, had lot of meat that night and I was really happy.

The Sunday has come and that was really nice sunny day. There was a weekend market on the Notting hill town and we walked around the town. It was really great. Since England has got really shitty weather through the year, when the sun comes out, people come out to enjoy the day. The market was filled with people and very arrived with various shops. And lots of international people are waking around the shops and having great time. I was really amazed by this multicultural place as well. So many races and age groups are mixed in London. We went to shopping for the festival and bought a sleeping bag, shoes and air bed so on made me so excited about the festival. I was still having the trouble with my tummy so I had relaxing day for the night and we were ready for the next day to hit Glastonbury.

Ending my journey of India

Bakso

12days was little bit too long for me to stay here. I did nothing but drink and sing some songs and mostly smoke everyday and night. Its a pretty place if I got into to some Bakso's thing “skill” like meditation, yoga or making accessories. Quite a lot of people do those things and stuck in Bakso for months. But my first intention of staying here was to just drink for 4 to 5 days before I go to Varanashi. I had some real fun there and gave up on going to Varanashi which I now regret quite a lot. But can you actually plan which you never regret??? My answer is no. And this time is also on one of a situation that I felt regret... I am now in Delhi and waiting m flight which in two more days and thinking back about Bakso and imagine up about Varanashi. Well, I have to go on with it.

Bakso is a little town with many travelers who practicing skills for their lives. It is really easy to stuck there and do the days. I was staying a home stay and the family was nice but the accommodation itself was bit boring. Nobody was there when I got there. I arrived this town with Elyse and Lore but we split where we stay. They were doing some accessory course and each day they had something new that they made. I should have done that course as well. After couple of days of drinking and jamming, Med, Coleen and a german guy “I am so shit with names...” they moved into the home stay we hanged out together. Med plays guitar well so we get along well.

Long story in short, in Bakso, I had a pretty simple life style.

In a morning, wake up and practiced juggling.

Go down to any of cafe in town, eat and smoke. Its a really small town so that its easy to find friends.

Couple of hours later, we changed the cafe and have some chai and smoke in the other place. Most of the time, we go to see movies.

Couple of hours later, we talk about where we go for dinner.

Dinner and jam session. Wasted and sleep.

Lore has amazing voice. During the jamming, sometime she made audience stunned. We made a song but its never been recorded. Hope to do in Belgian...

I never took any photo until the last day that I regret as well...

I should have stayed in Daramka as well, if I knew that I would stay that long... Its a smaller town just cross the valley.

Well, the 12days was like that. Now I have to wake up from the laziness and get active. I am heading to London, one of the busiest and expensive town in the world. I am so looking forward to it. Got myself a job, ticket to a festival and meeting an old friend knows me from Australia that I really want to talk about travel.

I am ready for EU.

Delhi

Actually, I quite liked it. People told me about all sort of stories about Delhi weather, hustle and craziness but I did enjoy staying there. Come down from cold Bakso life, the heat in Delhi was extremely hot and dried. People were more aggressive and the population was massive. But the little ally for shopping, the food and the insanity of the town get me really excited about there. I didn't travel much but lots of shopping for jewelry. There are lots of places for shopping and they are so cheap!!! Everyday, I walked around the little allies and negotiate with sellers, had some chat and eat street food. The guest house was bit horrible but can't complain about one of the cheapest place in Delhi. I suffered through the night the most that I woke up with this heat. Wet my sarong, watered my room and took shower every hours to let me have good sleep. I stayed in Delhi for 5 days but I really enjoyed it. Then I took a flight to UK with lots of stuff and full of excitement.

Heading up to north India

Bikaner

I am writing this in Vashisht in Manali, I could see snowy mountain from the cafe where I am staying. A lot of green, peaceful atmosphere, less hustles, and slow life style. So I haven't touched blogging for almost a month now and I have to remember all those past days. Shit shit shit... Well, in Bikaner, I did camel safari and spent a night in desert. The trip was one of a kind that have to do it. Its awesome but, it is also depend on people who you travel with and what kind of guide you get, plus what they do with the tour, like food and smoke, even drinking. It doesn't matter actually about how much you are paying... I spent 1200R a day and it was ok kinds... I heard awesome story about camel safari and they spent about 700R a day. So it is just depend on luck or friends recommendations.

Anyway, after the camel safari tour, I moved to another place and explored the town. There was a huge fort in this town as well, but 300R for entry and I was again traveling myself so I skipped it. In my guest house, there was nobody so that I did more of editing of my videos.

I went to the rat temple by a local bus. That was the feature of the town I guess. I never seen anything like that. It looks like a nice temple from a distance, but as I walked in, the smell of rotten food and shit and some sort of disgusting that I can not even express in here... filled up the atmosphere that I could feel with my skin of my face. And then, so many rats are running around, I mean soooooo many. They don't even scare people so some times they did run over my foot. And I could see the rats so close that I could see their eyes starring at me, nails, and all detail of hair they have. Woo fu fuf fu... that was horrible... But the local people worship the rats and feed them, and treat them like gods. Yep, the culture is really hard to understand most of the times.

I went to post office on the next day, and this is also quite interesting experience. I found the post office easily and I just wanted to send a letter and some tea to Japan. The letter was fine but the tea... I was expecting at the office that they have some boxes or some sort of envelope that I can buy and pack them and send. But they had nothing... So I had to go to some shops to pack it. But not many people speaks English in this town and took me a half hour to find this book shop. Then they said that I have to rap up with cloth. I could have done that faster and better but they took my tea and started to sawing. Took them more than an hour, in this hot weather... in between many Indians... in a busy shop. They some times pass around the sawing responsibility to others in terms of taking care of lots of customers. Then, I didn't have enough cash on me... So I went to find some ATM but most of them didn't work. I walked around for another hour for finding ATM. Took me whole day for sending a package and that was my day.

I explored the town next day but there weren't much to do there...

Amritsar

There wasn't sunrise yet, with the yell of people asking about rickshaw I woke up in a bus. Bus ride always make me tiring. Had a cigarette and a chai, got on a rickshaw and found a cheap hostel, and straight fallen down to bed. But then the extreme heat did wake me up within couple of hours. Then I hit the street. There is the golden temple in Amritsar. I walked in the one of the most extreme street to get to the temple. I hate Indian drivers. I say they are worse than Vietnam traffics. In Vietnam, traffic is crazy but the drivers are good enough to avoid pedestrians but Indian divers are always try to run into people. Fuckin shity traffic. In contrast, the golden temple was really peaceful and nice. It is surrounded by water and white buildings. Entrance was free, and there is free food to serve for everyone as well. The food was really nice, probably it was one of the best that I had in India. Apparently, they make over 10,000 meals a day for 24 hours. I have seen the kitchen and it was really chaotic. A guy stirring a massive pot, A MASSIVE pot, hundreds of people are washing and throwing dishes that make crazy noise, and tons of chapaty is on hot plate making a nice smell. The place was really fun. I walked into the golden temple, there is musicians playing music for all day long and a guy was reading huge book and the decolation of the wall and the inide are really nicely done too.

One of a night, I stayed in the temple. There are free space to stay for all people. All the Indians are sleeping on the floor, squeezing each other. The view of hundreds people laying in such a area is quite interesting. We stayed in a dorm where all the foreigner stays, there some beds and we also squeezed in the bed as well. Interesting experience.

We went to Pakistan and Indian border ceremony while we stayed in the temple. It was kind a weird. They played some Indian pop music and suddenly all the woman started to dance. Its like a street festival and the army guys do some crazy marching. Amritsar was really cool place to hang out but nothing much to do.

I was going to further north but I caught up with nice people and heard about place called Dahransara then we headed to east from there together.

Mcleod Ganj

The bus was filled with all foreigners, I have never seen so many tourist in local bus in India. The place is over 3000m above the sea level, as fur as we go, the air gets colder and cleaner. Fresh chilled wind was blowing in to face, nice chat with all travelers and good feeling about next place gave me the wonderful journey.

On the bus, I was talking to a Canadian girl Jeni sitting behind me. She was kind of harassed by the Indian guy sitting next her. That was horrible. And the bus ticket inspector came in. She hasn't paid for the bus ticket yet but not intentionally. Then she was accused for 1000R fine. But there were many tourist in the bus. We all got together and argue with this shittiest inspector and convinced him it wasn't her fault which is true but the whole argue was quite a fun.

We arrived in the town after the sunset. The place is also full of tourist but its got nice atmosphere. We were walking around the town to look for some guest houses but it was really expensive, so then me, Jane Rob and Shane all from Canada got shared room but it was really fun. As soon as we arrived, we got some beer and a bottle of whisky and we made some musical party in the room. Jane knows most of the songs I play so it was really fun to jam. Then we went to eat some dinner, on the way back, we met these guy just got out from a bar. And they saw our guitar, started to sing loud and hit the street for party out. We were singing on the street till two or three in the morning. Yep, I love this place.

Next day, while had a lunch, we played some card game called 500. It was really interesting game. I really want to play it again but it was really difficult rules that I can not remember now...

In the afternoon, we headed to waterfall, swam a bit but the water from snowy mountain was really freezing so that we just hanging out around the water for the day.

We went to a Japanese restaurant in the town and it was quite impressive for the Indian standard food. Also there were some Japanese people are working in the restaurant.

Jeni fixed my dread hear while we watching The Social Network. Then we had a rest.

Next day, I had a shopping day for on my own for the day. We caught up in the night for drink and had some awesome jam session again.

Stayed in Bakso next day but I had terrible tummy troubles in the afternoon. But I head out to Vashisht for climbing in the night. I still regret that I stayed such a short time in Dahransara. I am in Manali now and planning to go back within couple days.

Old Manali

It is freaking freezing here in Manali when I got there. It was about 5 in the morning. The sky was gray, little bit of shower and there was no way to go up to the Vashisht in that time. With lack of choice, I went up to Old Manali for the night with some people. Got myself a jacket still regret that I spent so much money for that but it was really cold. Its been a couple of weeks past and this place getting warmer each day that I don't need the jacket anymore and have to send it back to Japan now... Coz anyway, I like it.

Vashisht

Here I am, sitting in the porch of my guest house, writing a diary of the past lazy day of my journey. But one of the most exciting incident that killed my interest of traveling around india is that I got a ticket to go to London. It started with a message from J Ridley that lived together in Melbourne for couple of month, offering a work in London as a cook. First, I was bit worried about visa and expenses but the work was in the Glastinbury festival. Sweet as!!! It is the biggest fest in UK and I really wanted go someday. He's offering a pick up from airport and place to stay and most importantly free ticket to the festival. Again, SWEET AS!!!

To comfirm and get myself the ticket, I had to stayed in the internet for days. But finally now, its settled.

Anyway, that was my early days of Vashisht.

I had to move some places in terms of expenses and shitty owners. But I found myself a comfortable and cheap place “50R a night” with nice people.

Vashisht is a town surrounded by snowy mountains all around and lots of green forest with bit influence from Tibetan culture. That makes this little town so peaceful. It is quite disgusting but it has a hot bath to relax as well. I don't have shower due to cheap rent so I go there everyday. Its also bit chaotic with all those tourist but its worth it.

I had couple of days of hiking up to waterfall from he town and the waterfall is really impressive. On the way to the water fall, there is a guest house and I met some Japanese people and had some conversation about traveling.

I met some climbers and now I have been climbing around the town.

I met Lore and Hana from Belgian in a cafe, they told me about a music festival in Kosal and they were doing the bike ride so I jumped on the back of Lore's bike and head to Kosal for the music. She has driven for two days and I was the first person who got on her back of the bike. Especially in the street like in India with full manual bike on dozy street up and down, turns left and right sharp with stupid traffics. As I am writing this diary now so you know we survived. But the bike ride was awesome. Riding down between the beautiful valley, a beautiful weather and lovely Belgian girls, that was fun. The party was better than I expected. We had to walk through the muddy forest in the dark with no path. We sneaked some Vodka and local whiskey, listened to trans music in the forest, dancing and jumping. It's been a while I had a such night. But the party was stopped by the polices by 10pm. They came up with sticks and yelling that “polices your friend, go home now, I can help you”. That was quite weird but we had some fun. The village is also quite sweet. Small and pretty. On the way back of bike ride, the bike run out petrol twice, middle of the nothing. First one I did hitch for some help. There were nice Indians who gave me a lift to gas station. Second time was already in Vashisht so I just gave back the bike.

I had couple more days of climbing day around the town with Marcus from Switzerland, another Marcus and yan from Germany and Lore. It has been a pretty nice days.

Most of the night in here, we always go to the same restaurant and hanging out with same people that reminds me the day in Hampi lifestyles give me the atmosphere of family like.

We had couple of jam sessions as well but I miss the chemistry of the Hampi music sessions.

Anyway, we had a Japanese food night, Korean food night, and we just chat about us a lot. Not much drinking or drug has been going on between us so I felt so healthy after all.

One the last day, we went to Solang again and for last climbing. I have made two problems that I haven't been able to climb so that made my Vashisht journey satisfied. I had this feeling of achievement and kind of grown up filled my mind and I was good to go to Bakso. I said bye to all people that I met and left Vashisht with Elyse and Lore. I miss that place now and I appreciate the people who hanged out with me and support for my climbing days.

 

India trip Rajastan

Udaipur

Here I am, again stuck in the middle of nowhere on the way from Mumbai to Juipur pissing on the street as always of journey, wondering how would it to be a female traveler. After about 20 minutes of break the bus went into highway, the sun was falling, the journey was steady... then BANG!!! With this crazy noise and dust of rubber flying in the air, one of the tyre of the bus punked and the bus lost the control for a while and stopped. Bit of upset and relief circling around my brain for a while and got off to the road. I felt death in a moment but all the Indian seems to be relaxed as if its usual. We got off the bus and some of the passenger started to talked me friendly where am I from and all. Then I got offered this nice liqueur ... and snack ... of India and had some nice chat about Indian arts and culture. He is a broker of Indian art knows about Indian and British arts well. The bus driver took the punked tyre off within 20 minutes and we kept on going the bus ride. But the worst thing is that I drunk half litter of alcohol so I need piss now...

Now I am having a coffee at a cafe listening to cows screaming and noisy bike on side writing my blog. It is amazing how dusty in India that my lap top has been dusty all over by the black sand.

I walked around this beautiful town for 4 hours about yesterday. Udaipur town has lake and there is a very expensive hotel in middle. It is gorgeous, mysteriously floating in the middle of the lake that makes me want to stay for a day. But not this time... There is so many up hill and down in this town also the curves. The figure of the building according to pathway, color of the wall and clothing and noise of drums and something makes this town so unique.

I met Luisa and Miran that I have met in Hampi in the town had a dinner together at their guest house called Lal Gao Guest house or something. They had very nice balcony with awesome view. I had couple of drinks and smoke with them and night flew.

After the cafe with bit of internet, I went back to the balcony, practiced guitar with spanish girl Karin. Then I went to find some dinner before my another bus journey to Pushkar. I should have stayed in that place for longer but something made me keep on going. So I found one of the rooftop restaurant. The view with sunset was awesome. I have slept for a while and head back to the guest house had some chat with Miran, Loisa and Simon, they seems to come up to Pushukar in couple days so just say bye. Then I am in the bus heading to Pushukar now.

Pushkar

The impression of Pushkar is to me that it is just a touristy small town with lots of rip off and souvenir shops. There is one main street along to a lake. Around the lake, people would give you flower for your happiness or praying and tells you to go to lake but when you got to the lake, there is another man comes close and will show you how to pray in Indian way says its for your family. Then, 500 rupee donation otherwise the pray will be ruined. They will be very aggressive and hussle about the money you should be paying. What a rip off. They will give you the red and yellow wrist band called “Pushkar passport” to show you have done or not.

People are not so friendly either but a week has past easily when I was there.

I stayed in a place called Mama Luna guest house, the owner was really great. He was always high and friendly. 100 rupee a night and massive room with nicest terrase that I hanged out there for hours playing guitar.

Most of the days, I went to same cafe had some chai and falafel, chatting with people that I met in the shop. Staying the guest house practicing guitar or just chilling. Smoking a lot and sit around. The sunset view point up in the hill was nice.

Also, one of the night we had the chance to get some bang lassie in this town. The bang of 50 rupee from a tea shop was just great. We played a card game called spoon but everyone has just too slow to play and just keep on laughing. When we get out of the shop, everything has been closed and quite dark but only street light was flashing the creepy road. My foggy memory of the night fall was surround by these dried out building in the curved road, stared by the big eyed cows without any motion and the silence in between the our laugh through my tensed head. We got back in the guest house and played some tune in my head but some how we have been connected. We talked a lot but could not understand any word of people talking. Everyone asked each other what were you talking just now and your memory will gone soon enough to answer the question. What a night.

Then the week has gone with no time. I have met Alina and Jakob from German then we head to Jodhpur together.

Jodhpur.

Here I am writing this diary on a bus to Jaisamler. On the journey of the India there is always a guy on a bus playing some Indian music from his mobile phone. This time is also the same. The high pitch sound of the female Indian singer voice is penetrating the strong wind and coming into my ear with irritation disturbing my memories of the Jodhpur town.

Well, on the way to Jodhpur, we have met a French traveller Thomas and he joined us together. We have walked around the town for half hour and we found this place called Yogi's guest house. When I was walking on the street, I noticed that in the south, kids ask for school pens but in north they tend to ask chocolate more. Anyway, so we shared a room with four of us but the room was amazing. Big and clean, after searching of guest house and sweating, the shower was one of the moment of happiness. So we all got refreshed and head to the town but not Jakob. He got sick... Well, Thomas, Alina and I head to town walked around the market for the day. The town was quite big but full of nice people and has great atmosphere. When we got into the market, we found this nice tea shop. They gave us some tea and I fell in love with this saffron tea. Its served with Cinnamon, green ... and bit of saffron but the flavor was just great. Usually, I don't do much shopping but I got myself two different types of tea from the shop. Silly me without thinking about luggage but the tea was great.

When we went out to search for dinner, we have met Nico from Swiss. He showed us a place to eat outside of the town. And we found a bottle shop says “English wine and beer”. It was closed but we decided to get some drink tomorrow.

We had a lazy morning next day, but finally, about 1 pm we manage ourselves to get up to the fort on a hill. 300 rupee entrance but it was worthy. I have met Mama, Papa and Amit from Goan corner in Hampi in the fort. That was really funny encounter reminded me the good old days.

The fort itself was rally great. I have never seen such a magnificent fort in any other places. The view from the fort, the town is colored in light blue of the housing and they are winding all around the town. Its huge, its cozy and its got nice spiritual atmosphere. We walked around the fort about couple of hours and enjoyed the view then we went out to the town to find some chicken to eat.

It is really difficult to find any kind of meat in vegetarian country like India. Then we found this nice looking restaurant with clean swimming pool. The whole chicken was 260 rupee but me and Thomas couldn't wait any longer. As soon as we found the meat, we were done. We shared the chicken but the meal was one of the best thing in India.

We head to bottle shop after and got a bottle of whisky and rum. Back in hostel and we started a whisky party. We stayed at the roof top of Yogi hostel, started smoke some and played some tunes. Had some more whisky and my memory had faded away with good vive.

Next day we head to Mandor garden by a local bus. It was a pretty day of just chilling at a garden. I had a shower from the watering guy from the garden, refreshed my self in the hot evening. All the local people were laughing at me but hey, I'm just a tourist, I will not meet anybody again. Then we head back to town and visit the tea shop and had some awesome saffron tea again and some more. So we just chilled again in the tea shop for an hour about and they convinced me to buy another tea as well. Then the day has fallen. Next day, Thomas, Nico and I left the town to Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer

It was really hot day of bus trip but I had awesome view of India from the window. Lots of sand and little towns with funny looking housings. Camels and cows on the desert were sniffing around for something. Then we got to Jaisalmer, the small town with the great fort. The only fort, people living in in India. We have met a guy on the way of bus trip and his brother picked us up from the bus stop to his guest house. It was really crapy but we were exhausted so we took it. The toilet was horrible. It was inside the room and the bottom has got a crack and leaking from there. So, it smell like a shit then it makes the room smell shit as well. Anyway, it was late and we were hungry so we decided to make decision tomorrow and eat some dinner and slept.

Next day, I wanted to see the hostels but instead we went up to the fort. Thomas got lazy and he stayed in bed but me and Nico went out. The fort was great. The entrance has got some hustle from the locals selling shit but inside was nice and chilled. I now really regret that I didn't pushed myself to move to the hostels inside... Anyway, we just touring around the hostels and guest houses in the fort and just amazed. Actually, it was quite cheap to stay inside fort as well, like 100 rupee for double room, nice and clean also with very cozy and lovely atmosphere and with awesome views. On the way back to hostel, we met an English girl Phebee and headed find some food together in the town. After the lunch, she went back to fort to look around and Nico and I went back to hostel and grab Thomas and chilled out at the roof top for a while and met Simon and Caroline that I met in Udaipur. They just came back from the Camel safari. They loved the trip so much. Well, then time was to sunset, so we all got together and head to up on the hill. The view was great but I want the sunset to be the other direction. Maybe sunrise would be amazing with fort in the picture. Then some kids climbed up the hill and came to us with speaking little English with little begging smiles. They started to sing for us, asking for picture for us and of course little money. But I don't do charity... I just can not be a nice guy to offer some money even its tiny... Then some spanish people next us took picture with them giving away some chocolate and all, then I saw the little fight over the snack between the children. I just can not be bother looking like that too... Anyway, there were some nice local people that I have met on the hills as well. They are musicians living in the slum just around the corner from the view point ask us to join up for chai and music session. Of course they want to sell their instrument but they were more modest and kind. I like like that. They took us to his house with no doors, no beds, no water, no toilet, no address but surprisingly with TV and they played for us a traditional musics with awesome instrument. Its got beautiful sound. The session went about hours and we promised them to have some dinner together next day. I asked for some chickens and got excited.

We went to a lake in the town and caught up with the local as we promised next day and chilled out by the lake for a while. Then Simon, Calorine, Thomas, Phebee and I decided to visit them at 5pm for the dinner at his house. When we got there, we started to practice the local instrument while his wife and children were cooking. Apparently, its their culture for woman to be quiet while the guest is there... We talked about marriages of india, music and lifestyles. His daughter was just 15 but she already met her future husband. Wow... Then here comes the chicken. Great meal. We gave them about 500 rupee about but for 5 people meal and for all his family. We had a great meal but kids and women were not eating till we finished. That is also weird culture for me... Well, we talked about next day as well but I have ditched it...

Well, I met Jacob and Alina in the town, they came yesterday night and stayed inside the fort. We caught up the the town and they showed us their guest house. It was just awesome. I guess one of the best in terms of location and the view. They have the great view of the town from the window and cozy atmosphere of the Indian housing. Its so big and just 100 rupee. Aw, I missed that. Well, I got a ticket to go to Bikaner tomorrow at 6 in the morning so its not going to happen. We had dinner at his guest house with awesome view and it was one of the best Rajastani food I had in India. From the window of the restaurant, we could see the BHANG shop. Yep, the legend has come back. Apparently it was the only regal bhang shop in the town and we were down for it as the flow. So the story starts with 5 of us went into the shop of bhang then talked with locals. There were some sheesha and cushions but nothing. Its about 4 square metre and around by the plain light brown wall with some pictures of Indian gods on. About a half hour, there were 5 glasses of lassie came down in front of us. We tasted slowly like a wine in the glass, looking at each other with bit of smile says mmh, commenting about the flavour of the nuts and glass, have some water to wash down the thickness of the lassie and puff, then we started to play some card game called spoon. The time has passed nicely but Nico got feel sick, he decided to go back to hostel and he left. Then, we went up to the fort. A place called roof top. The journey to the roof top was really far away. Some Indian yelled me that “Oi Japanese I'm going to kill you~” That creeeeeped me out for a while then sudden other guy came out from nowhere shouted that “ So we have nice restaurant with greaaaaat view”, gave us such a nice laugh. We climbed up the road like donkey with heavy carriage at back. The lighting from the fort shined us into 100 years ago and now we living in the fort on the way back to home. The stairs was really high that we had to crowed up. I got lost in the middle of the stairs and wondered what is going on... then we made it. Jacob and Alina was sitting in the corner of the fort. The view was incredible with them. It was like they were sitting on the flying balcony in a cheap movie with dozzy green screen effect. The back ground of the town was flying around them so fast but I could focus on every single detail of the town, and in a same time, I could see the faces of Jacob and Alina. Phew... I needed to sit down. I sat next the Jacob and he told the story of the port in the desert. The Jaisalmer had a massive port. The light from the town was for all the gar-eon ships to come back safely from their journey. The sound of the wind turned into speed of light, shifting the silence to the weight upon the shoulder. I just sank into the mill of the cushions that I wanted to get out and talk to friends. Then I found this table obstructing my way so I wanted to move it out. Then I time slipped back in the port, listening to the story of the Jacob. Alina was laughing at something, Thomas couldn't move at all but smiling and feeling his bear. It was hilarious but it doesn't make sense. Then I went back into the hole of the circle turning me into the world of joy with no memory and time. The Neverland.

After couple of hours of circular, Jacob has gone. When I found him he was puking on the corner asking for help. No one can move for a moment. And I went up to him with some water to wash him off. And I took him into his room and the party was over. I took Alina down into her room and came back for Thomas. The journey was also fucked though... Then one of a guy from the hostel came up said the restaurant is closed... Party was over but there was one more attraction for me and Jacob. “The terror of the rickshaw back home”. The driver knew we were high, then he drove back for us insanely. The curves, the speed, the bounce were sooooo great. The cows and people were in slow motion but the building was flowing like flight. Then the rickshaw called up the dog with yelling. We felt “oh fuck fuck fuck”. The dog was running right next me ready to jump on to the rickshaw. The barking got louder and closer. When I turned around there were so many dogs running behind us. Then he stop right in front of the door of the hostel. When I looked the outside, the rickshaw guy yelled “OWGH” fucking scared me. But the dog was already away. What a journey. When I got to room, nico was still awake and waking around the room. I wondered what was like to be on the trip for him. But we couldn't speak no more or maybe I just forgot about the conversation.

We missed a bus. I got a ticket to go to Bikaner at 6 in the morning with Phebee and Thomas, but Thomas and I didn't make it...

Climbing up the wonderful world

India

Kerala ~ Bangalore

Arriving in Kochi airport in the afternoon of 14^th March, the temperature is over 30c. As soon as I got out, took off my jacket and shoes off. Needed some Indian currency so went up to ATM just in front of the airport although because I haven't used the money card for four month, I pushed the wrong number... Again... and again... Ooops... The card is blocked... I got so nervous. The first day of my journey might be stuck in the airport. Luckily, I had 3000 Japanese yen. Thanks to the currency difference. With this much of money, I could not do anything in Japan but in India they become a fortune. Got on a bus to town, then I met Hanna from journey in there. She was really friendly and told me about Kochi according to the guide book she had. As I do not have guide book for anywhere, that was really helpful. We got quite get along then we decided to share a room. It was already dark when we arrived in a home stay in Fort Koshi. The room was quite clean and had very big rooftop. We went out to have some dinner and talked about what we do tomorrow. And the day has passed.

Next day, we just walked around the town. It is an amazing culture they have in India. People are wearing beautiful traditional Indian dress, streets are covered with rubbish and corpse of rats and birds, goats and cows are walking around the town everywhere. There are so many shits of them as well. The smell and dust of streets are giving me the atmosphere of the country. Frankly, it is horrible but people are nice. Way nicer than I expected. Everyone is smiling and saying hi. Town itself is dirty but the people are nice in Fort Kochi. We visited Dutch palace first. The art of India was nothing like I ever seen. Gods of elephants, expression of faces and colors of drawings and details of pictures were really impressive. It was really hot, I was reading about the history but could not bear well the heat. We went out to find a coast but then we got lost. We were walking around the small path and seen some local life style but my flip flop got broken. Here comes the another trouble. It was really hot day. The surface of the road was insanely hot and there are so many rubbish, shit and small rocks. Painful, and I needed new pair of flip flop but we were in middle of nowhere. After couple of hours of walking, I finally could not stand anymore. We got into the first restaurant we found and had some Indian breakfast. Some vege masala curry and chapatti. Quite spicy but taste was great. We just chilled out in there for a while and asked some directions. Got myself a pair of flip flop and kept on walking around. We found the fishing net place and the day was falling. People sleeps with sunset except tourist area in Kochi.

We booked the back water tour today and woke up in 7 in a morning. With the quite accurate pick up, we got on a bus. There were about 20 tourists but they were nice. Made more friends in there we talked them in the bus. About a hour of ride took us a place to got on a boat. The boat goes slowly up the little river in between the farm, or more like a jungle. There were some people taking bath and washing clothe. Quite relaxing trip took us to a village with lots of herb plantations. Cinnamon, all spices, nutmeg, pepper and on and on. Really fun to feel the fresh flavor of those spices. Then they took us to lunch place. Rice, some curries, chutney and curd on a banana leaf. It was great. On the way back was really long on the boat but nice and chilled. We got back to our home stay once and went out to catch up with the people from the tour for some dinner. We met up in the fishing net place and saw the beautiful sunset together before the dinner. Dinner was great but couldn't get any beers in the town due to religious reasons in Fort Kochi. We had nice chat at the dinner.

We met an american girl Kathleen in our home stay in the morning. We decided to hire a bike and go to beach near the Fort Kochi today and caught up with some people from the back water tour. Jess, Amy, Rich another Hanna and Kamila they all from Uk doing volunteer work in India and we caught up in the town and hired bikes. Took a boat to another coast. On the boat, we saw the dolphins swimming around the boat but in the very dirty water. We were quite amazed by that. Dolphins in India??? There some nice views of rice field on the way. We took a ride about 30 minutes to get to the beach. Not too much rubbish, just us and kids playing cricket and calm ocean. That was really refreshing from the noisy dirty town. We set up the camp fire and they brought some mash marrow and we made some BBQ mash marrows. We stayed out till the sunset. But the way back was quite a mission. Dark street with strong back light from buses and cars towards us. Besides the street is not well made. Many banks and holes were hiding in the dark road. I got Hanna at back so it was bit responsible mission. Then the boat has broken down. We had to go around the town and cross the bridge and through the main town. Made the journey for couple more of hours. We all made it without anybody injured. We got some fancy dinner together.

I went up to Bangalore and Hanna went to somewhere I cannot remember. Took a bus over night to get this massive town. The bus station was really massive and not well organized, they got me off in the middle of nowhere. As usual I didn't have and guide books or any info about the town. Started with looking for tourist info but I got nothing but booking center. Could not find anything... All the rickshaw drivers were following me around but then I met this nice Indian guy told me to go an area I can't remember but he was kind enough to showed me a bus to get there as well. Bus ride is always great that bus was running fast, jump on and hop off in the middle of the street in rush. Phew, time for puff, soon people gathering around me asking for money, killed my sense of humanity and ignored those poor locals and find some place to stay. Got myself a bit too nice hotel for me and got out to a town. There was a “happy ole” festival on that day and people were putting colored powders on their faces, screaming “happy ole”. That was interesting. Then a rickshaw guy came up and said free ride to market. But I have to visit some souvenir shops. Got the ride and saw the shops walked around the town. Had some local food. There were so many bars and club in that town but it was really expensive. Also there were not cheap restaurants around the area so that I skipped the dinner. Saw some movies and the day end.

As sun comes out, I went out from the room and look for some breakfast. Met some people travelers in front of the hotel. Juli, Matilda and Jaakko who looking for some food as well so I joined them but apparently, none of the restaurant is not opening till 10am. That was also culture shock. So we sat down in the corner of the street. Matilda has got friend living in Bangalore supposed to meet up in a Christian community. I joined the sunday meeting due to my curiosity and sang songs for jesus for an hour about and had some tea with them. They invited for some lunch and I got some hours till my bus so we went out to her house had some awesome lunch together. The meal was really great, all home made by the locals, so many chickens ahhhh yum! Then we took a cab to bus stop but their station was different. So I got myself solo travel again. Then I left from Bangalore to Hampi.

Hampi

1^st of April, about 7pm... I'm on a sleeper bus to Gokarna from Hampi with this group that I had crazy fun time in Hampi together. 4 German guys and 2 swedish girls. Joel is makin a joke about having a joint on a bus right next me. Seb and Lisa taking about music, Dani is chilling out at upper bed. I don't know what a Janas is doing. Johanna is laughing at something. This is my crew, heading to have some happy beach life for more days. Hampi was to me really amazing experience. Beautiful scenery, bored less bordering rock are all around the hill and happy atmosphere from our guest house “the Goan corner” gave me aye great experiences that enough for me to stay for over two weeks.

The first impression of the day I arrived at Hampi, I thought “wow” another third world spot in South East Asia, GREAT :o As soon as I walked off the bus, there were some guys come around me said rickshaw? Room? And of course, “which country?” And the smell... baffalo's fresh shit was all around the dirt street. If you ever come to India, you know what I mean. Walked across the main street and then I saw that the massive hill with gigantic rocks piled up like kid's play ground then what comes next is that the sunrise from right behind the great Indian temple. Completely, I was just amazed. So found myself a cheap guest house called Karin guest house. Near a river but I can't get to close, have a roof top but there is nothing but concrete set and room is 100 rupee for a night but my room doesn't have a key to lock. It was made by bamboo and banana leaf and able to close the door by wire. Well, I knew that I will not stay there for long time so I took it. Then have a couple of hours nap. Around 9 o'clock, get up and jump into dark slimy small shower and get out. Walked around the main street, had some curry and found about the temples around the town, rent a bicycle then I hit the road. Went up the hill and again, ,moved by the scenery. It was just stunning town with nothing but rocks and temples. So I did the tourist thing like cycling around the temples. On the way, I met Millien from Germany and we cycled together. It took us about good 4,5 hours with slow riding and long break in between. It was a really good trip. She mentioned about the other side of the river and decided to go to the late lunch. That was great idea even though the restaurant was humid and took hours to make one meal, because the life of the area was great. I decided to move that side and moved next day.

Crossing the river is always a trouble, waiting for the boat, negotiate the price and carrying the massive luggage... And this one is also took long time. When I got the other side of the river I asked to a guy looks like he does climbing that where are the climbers? He told straight “Goan corner”. Again, lucky journey. This place was just awesome. Chickens, ducks, dogs and I don't know what the animals are walking around the huts. In the restaurant, there is a massive dog and many little puppies walking around the tables. The room was quite basic and price was good. And Goan corner's mama was really great person. When I was checking in, I heard my name, there was Stive and Amber that I met in Yang Shuo in China about half year ago. They are really good climbers and still traveling. Unbelievable encounter in such a place on same time. They were going to climbing in the afternoon so we went up to the hill in the evening. Stunning. Round rocks are spreading on the hill endlessly. An hour of climbing, after stayed in really lazy days in Japan, in the unbearable heat, I was dying with pain in the hand and arm. Sun set, shower, and a beer, completes the date nicely.

So the life in Hampi started since then. Wake up with the noise of chickens yelling. Climbing in the morning and afternoon. Chilling out during the hot and humid day time with cute puppies pissing on the seat. Juggling and volleyball. Or sometimes we went out to a lake to jump off from the cliff. And the night, too much smoking and drinking with awesome busking.

Then the diarrhea started as it's promised.

Everyday, waken up by feeling of rush its coming down through my stomach. Its just inevitable. I guess everyone has it at least couple of weeks in India.

But the life in Goan corner was great.

Especially the busking. Joel and Jannas are great in chilled out singers. Sebu is really good in impro solo-ing. And Dani plays that bongo drum. Then Jesus - John Pole with drum sticks kicks the rhysm so cool. Ole has great voice with impro Spanish sounded singing. Gon, Lisa and Yohana gives us the atmosphere nice. Chris is totally high, Luke is suffering from diarrhea.

We had a day of camp fire on the hill and played some tune. That was nice too.

After 12 days of living in such a paradise, we head to Gokarna together for more of paradise but this time with a beach.

Gokarna

So we arrived at Om beach in Gokarna at 4 in the morning after the fun ride of bus from Hampi. We got exhausted, but the all guest house or cafe shops were closed. It was completely dark on the beach. Then we slept on the beach till the morning, listening to music with sound of waves. It was bit too cold for swimming but nice to sleep. And with the sunrise, there were some dolphins swimming around the beach, just like they were welcoming us from the ocean.We got room by 8am then we had a nap. When we got up, the time was about mid day, the weather was clear blue sky and the ocean was waving nicely. What a perfect journey.

On the first night of Gokarna, we made some camp fire on the beach, then busking around the fire. Then we went out to swim in the dark water. Here comes the magic, the phorescence was glowing from the ocean like the lights I have never seen before. Running around complete naked and played smaking arses like a gay. Worming up with fire and the night was faded out as the camp fire.

The life in Gokarna is really chilled as its the white smoke without wind flowing in the air. The guest house is in between the coconut trees, right in front of the beach and quiet enough to hear the sound of the ocean. The second day, we did nothing but smoke and drink, then busking with fire. Jesus has arrived in Gokarna that day and joined up for awesome tunes.

We went to fish market in the town in the morning, and I bought four mid sized tuna and Sebu bought many prawns. We washed them and asked to the guest house for cook them. The dinner was awesome. And again, swimming and jamming. It is really hard to tell the moment of good times.

Here came the last days of Gokarna. Yohana and Lisa had to go back to Sweden that night, we kept on going talking and singing till the time has come. I guess the time was about 2 in the morning we said sad good byes but swear to catch up in Europe. Then Dani, Joel, Janes and I went up to Mumbai together and Jesus, Rohan and Gon stayed there for one more day and wemt to east.

Mumbai

Arrived in the city like Mumbai is chaos. We got there about 4 in the morning, had a chai in the train station and took a rickshaw to Colaba area. None of us has any guide book or any idea about the guest house. So we took this shityest place for the night. Dirty, stinky and horrible toilet with rats its worse than Chinese train cost us more than $10 each for a night plus the terrible service from the stuff and lovely greeting by the cockroaches on the bed. I guess the worst hostel ever. Oh Mumbai... Couple of hours of rest and we head out to town. Beggers, old buildings, and poor kids are filling the atmosphere of the town with contrast of shiny suits and modern life style. We went to the horrible beach for the sunset and drunk at a bar. Joel got really drunk and screaming “Disco Disco” in the street and I passed out once. We end up in a strange place with Indian Karaoke and people throwing money in hilarious suits gives me creeps for the night.

I went to buy a camera lens and Dani and Janas went to shopping for the day.

Joel got really sick but they had a flight to catch up. I found a better place and we spent the last hours in there. These last couple of weeks was a miracle.

Fascinating culture of Japan

Walked or maybe more like lost in Tokyo for so many hours... First of all, exit of train station, smoking area and friends to catch up. Tokyo is massive! Just from the one side of a station to other side took me ages. And the crowd... Phfff, pushes and pushes in the train, shove off the people around to get out and adjust my steps into the flow of the robotic people, life is surely tough in here.

In Tokyo, I have a friend called Shintaro and he is kind enough to give me the place to share in his tiny flat.

Takada, my friend is living in Akihabara and the day I arrived he picked me up and he took me into his flat and gave me some space to stay in between his bed and wall. It was about 1.5m wide and enough to stretch my whole body. And his room is about 3 x 5 s/m around that cost him $900 about just for the month rent. What a surprise. Tokyo sure is crazy. The night he took me to BBQ of beef tongue. We had a bit expensive dinner. That was great.

Next day, I went out to get Indian tourism visa. It seemed that the embassy was close from my flat on a map so I walked there with my hand drawing map but I got lost many times and took me five hours about to get there. I got the visa without any trouble and walked back. On the way back, I found Yasukuni shrine and Empire's palace. The Empire's palace was quite huge and had a nice atmosphere with river around and huge glass but it should be spring to visit. There were many cherry blossom trees but they weren't on seasons yet. The night has fall and Takada was at work. I had rest for tomorrow.

I went out to find climbing gym with hand drawing map, and again I have lost. This time was in Ebisu town. It was rainy day. I just wasted hours around the train station and another day has passed. Again Tokyo is massive.

I went out to around the Ueno station with a map that I got from western tourist. Also on foot from Akihabara though. The day was sunny and I had a idea where I am going that day. Walked around the street called Ameyoko. There were so many Japanese entertaining stuff like Pachinko and kid's game station. Funny souvenir shops, silly looking dolls and ridiculous clothe filled the street with living atmosphere. Then I found the Ueno park then I regret again that I should've come a month later. There were only lonely cherry blossom without bloom. Well, I kept up my mind to go on and went to visit Asakusa shrine after. There was the street with big lantern that (probably the most of the tourist have seem the picture of it) one of the Japanese famous tourist spot the “raimon”??? I forgot the name at the moment... and walked around the area. It was not exciting as I expected...

Well, if I had some people with to travel, it would have been totally different.

I met an old friend Tamaru at Ochanomizu. He hasn't changed at all but it was great to catch up. We went out to drink at place called Izakaya the Japanese style pub and talked over the night about all around me and him, and about friends what they are and were doing. We ended up in a club called Atom and listened music and danced until morning. One of the reason is that there is no public transport after 12pm in Tokyo. Considering the population and night entertainment in Tokyo, it is weird that the transport finishes by then. So we had to stay arrive until 5 in the morning. We got so smashed. I went to his house and stay the day. His house was bigger than Takada's but was really far away. Train and another train, walked for half an hour with screwed head. We got smashed and walked up in the afternoon. Had some lunch and talked about music. What surprised me was that he started to be bit nerd. He had some anime figure and weird comics. Made me lough.

Couple days of being lazy. Watching one piece and facebooking

I caught up a friend of friend. I met her in Malaysia and she messaged me that her friend is visiting in Japan. Merel from Holland, we caught up in Harajyuku and we walked around the town. My friend Yoshi also joined us during the afternoon but the weather was rain there wasn't much choice. We visited a massive building and looked down the city from the observation deck. Yoshi was driving so only Merel and I went out for drink. Had some yakiniku but she couldn't handle some of the japanese weird food like soft borns, livers and chicken's kidney.

Next day, we caught up in Shibuya. Took some photos of the busiest junction in Japan and visit Bunkamura. There were some photo gallery. It was also rainy day thatI feel bad that I couldn't show Japan much. Then she had a flight to catch and I saw her off at the train station. And I caught up with Yoshi in the afternoon. He got me a ticket to circus de soreil. The show was magnificent. You will be amazed what human body can do. Bending, balancing and flying so on. But also the great thing about the Kuuza is the choreography and well constructed performance including jokes and pranks with audiences. It is just hard to describe how amazing it is.

Here comes the binge drinking, the day after the all night drinking also without going back to Takada's house, I caught up friends from high school. We had a band together. The drummer Suguru and the guitar Araya. I had lots of drinks with them and their friends at an Izakaya in Sibuya. It was really fun but I felt their effort of living in Tokyo with jobs. We kept on drinking and went to Karaoke:) As you know, we had stay up till morning. We sang and yelled till we all gone madness. There is a train line called Yamanotesen and it goes around and around the big Tokyo town. I took that train to go home at 5am and I closed my eyes. Everytime when I opened my eyes I was at Ikebukuro. I was like what a fu... But I was sleeping on the train. It takes about 50min about to go all around and when I finally got to Akihabara it was 8:30am. I guess I took the train about 3~4 round trip. But the seat was warm and comfortable.

After couple days of watching Japanese animation the One piece episodes, Yoshi and I went to climbing gym together. I did couple of hours of hard core climbing. It was fun. Then I had sore in my arm muscle then I become lazy again for next couple of days.

Friday 11^th March 2011, it was about 2:30. I just had a fried noodle for lunch. It started. The biggest earthquake in history of Japan. When I felt the shake at first, I thought “Fuck, it is BIG”, but then couple of minutes later, with the heavy sound of colapse, the bigger one has came. Magnitude over 9, it was nothing but one of the scariest thing I ever experienced. The cup board fell, books are coming down like a rain and all I can see were moving like toy. I was holding book shelf and TV not to fall, I don't know how long it went, but I felt forever. I was in the building of 11^th floor and I prepare myself a death. Here comes the silence, it came just like a sunday morning. Nothing was moving but Takada's room was mess. I needed some noise to disturb my fear. Hit the TV on, the TV studio was in panic, and also in a messed up situation. The confused information was broadcasted by the news caster but my brain was not taking any mumbling of the fear of the earthquake. But come to think it now, I was just really amazed of the speed of the information in Japan. Just after the hit, it has been in the news. According the news there will more of the earthquake is coming so I went outside of the room. Sure there was more after shake were came, I managed to walk with the shake, used the stairs down to the ground. There were heaps of people in fear walking around the street. My sister was in Miyagi where the center of the earthquake so I called her but the reception was of course out of service. So I called my family instead and told my dad about the shake and make him call my sister. Then the third one has came. All people around in the road were looking up the shaking building with fear in their face. I never expect that the building can move that much. Then I went back to the room picked up my important stuff and got out side again. Couple of hours later of trying to call everyone I know in the area of earthquake but there was no luck. It has been a hell of day but I was really relief that I am alive.

News... There has been a serious damage in Japan. I saw the Tunami in the news and report of the victims.

Fucked...

My phone has rang and dad called up said that little sis is alright.

Takada has come back from his job and we talked about the earthquake.

Night... There were still more after shakes has been happening. So many times... Nightmare...

The day after the earthquake, the death toll has been increased to 2000, missing people over 10000.

Takada goes to work as usual.

There were still after shakes sometimes.

One day more for me to leave from Tokyo to India.

Staying home.

The day of flight.

My friend, Toshi came to give me a lift to airport with his Mercedes. We both glad that we were safe. He saw me off till the gate. And my India journey has started.