India makes me manic...

I might need to vent just a little bit in this blog....India is making me absolutely manic. I have 100 emotions a day ranging from "I love this place" (yes, I've said it once or twice) to "Get me home right now!"....yesterday was a perfect example of this manic behavior.

We spent two days in Munnar- beautiful tea country. We stayed at a farm stay (not sure why they call it that except that it is on a plantation of something)- and the place was decent. I'm not sure if I am 'vented' about this yet- but the beds in India are often really damp. To the point where you don't notice it until you roll over and then you feel damp. It is disgusting to say the least. Ang has even put three layers of stuff down before (towels, sarong etc) and still soaked through. It just makes for a bad night of sleep...obviously. Okay...so, besides the bed being damp...the place was fine.

We lucked out getting a taxi to Munnar from Kochi- so the transportation piece was a breeze. He took us right to our hotel and we had a relaxing evening- met an Australian couple and just hung out. The next day we went into the town of Munnar to try to organize how we were going to get to Mysore and see some of the sites. We figured out right away it was going to be a pain. Plus, while we were in town it started raining- which always makes everything worse.

At one point, we were trying to get a taxi back to our hotel and we walked to a taxi stand to do so (imagine that?!)....I started negotiating with the guys out front (all of which were cab drivers) and Ang went inside the stand (also 8 taxi drivers in the stand) and all of them pointed to a guy sitting at a desk- who called several numbers on a call down list. Yes, we are both thinking at this time- why can't any of these 8 guys standing in the taxi stand take us? Or any of the guys I'm talking to? Essentially, the guy at the desk- calls one of the guys I'm talking to outside and the guy starts his car and pulls forward. Not joking. Oh India.

The rain continued through the night- but was actually really a cool experience in our hotel that was in the forest. It rained the hardest I can remember- and we just sat on the porch, watched and read. Our bus was set to leave at 7 a.m.- so a richshaw driver picked us up at 6 a.m. After a few scenic picture stops and slow driving by our driver- at 7:05 we had officially missed our bus. This wasn't a direct bus to Mysore- but only had one stop over in Coimbatore (spelled completely incorrect). The next bus out left at 8 a.m. but had an additional stop.

Obviously we didn't have a choice- so we got on the 8 a.m. bus. This is where manic sets in. I LOVED the bus ride...the scenery was amazing, shocking and beautiful- I was in love with the people all of which constantly help us out and make sure we are taken care of-and I actually said to Ang "This is my favorite day in India." She reminded me of this comment on our 3rd bus- when I was about to crack, it was raining again and we had just experienced the worst bathroom in the entire country (in my opinion).

By the time we got to the hotel- we had both wished were were home at certain points- and laughed about how much we loved it at certain parts. Today is better- we are exploring Mysore and planning our next move to Goa. I'm sure India will continue to make me manic...which I've heard it part of the draw- you love certain parts so much that the chaos is worth it.