But anyway,
still wanna write a little to keep memories of this trip alive.
Day 155 -- Orchha -- Jhansi -- LucknowIt's time to check out and leave Orchha. The guesthouse owner bidded me goodbye and told me to be "extremely" careful on the train. he was lika a father, only he is so much smaller in size than me !
Tuk tuk to Jhansi cost 20Rs (10rs charge for baggage which i din't mind). And amother 10 Rs to the railway station. The tuk tuk drivers were helpful and I'm grateful. Bought an afternoon general class ticket (again! I'm Miss cheapskate)and proceded to wait for the train. Part of my journey around north India had always been waiting for some type of vehicle and on the road. it can be tiring at times, especially I'm only spending an average of 2 days in every place and the constant come-see-sleep-go travelling attitude is wearing me out fast.
But i have to move, because I've reserved my tix 28th May out of India.
With my previous experience, I went into the sleeper berth instead of general class cabin, act blur when conductor came, and escaped without a fine (or bribe).
The train was SLOW and Ireached Lucknow 2 hrs late at 9pm. At the train door waiting to get out, the person in front turned over and again warnrd me "Be careful in the station." Nice.
Day 156 LucknowI did a short homestay in Lucknow, price was reasonale and the best thing they have wireless! Which got me hooked on the internet till the wee hours of the morning.
The mainreason I came to Lucknow was to see the remains of British legacy. Afterall, it was here that the British insurgency was at its most horrifying moments.
And I'm always fascinated with places that has been colonised by Western powers (British and French in particular), the buildings left behind, the stories of the local people struggle for independence etc
I splurge in Lucknow. i have no idea why but was sort of fed up with the frugal life and went to nice cafe for nice coffee. Bought a pack of barista coffee and a coffee plunger. Bought 3 bottles of contact lens solution ythat I seriously regret now, and a specs with no frame just for the fun of it.
Lucknow is burning hot!!
I couldn't really do much except to walk around.
Day 157 LucknowThe highlight of the day is i went to the Residency. It was a sorry state and I feel sorry for myself that I could not capture the 悲凉 of the city with my lens. It was bad. I tried but I know the photos are not convincing. Once in a while I reached a bottleneck and i do not know how to breakthrough to find new angles and give new life to my photos, it's frustrating.
Day 158 Lucknowand night train to HaldwaniThe best thing about doing a homestay is that checkout time is flexible. i had a train to catch at midnight and the owners allowed me to stay all the way to 11.30pm, which was good because you wouldn't get this offer in hotels.
I arrived at the train station feeling relaxed and happy only to find out.........
Day 158 Lucknow to Haldwani to NaintalThe train was delyed by 5 hrs, which means when I finally boarded the train, it was 5 am in the morning and the sky was bright... I didn't dare to sleep while in the waiting roombecause I was afrais i would totally miss the train. And it was a little impossible to sleep on the train too because it was bright and hot. That was the most painful day of the trip. It didn't help that it was the time of the month also.
I arrived at Haldwani station feeling toatally shagged and a total loser. i wanted to cry because it was not only tiring and the first time i felt traveeling solo as a female is not easy, esp in India. The harrasment, the "scanning" by men was a little too much and too intense at times.
Anyway, got on the bus to naintal, and the winding road up the mountain coudnlt provide me a good sleep. Alighting and finding my way to the hotel, I broke down and the hotel staff were humane enough to send someone to get me.
Day 159 Nainital I was supposed to catch a train to Haridwar today, but my waist hurts so much just by walking I know i couldnt move today. So I stayed and basically stayed in hotel room. Watched man Uted vs Portsmouth, was happy with the results, and I really think Michael carrick is very handsome.
Day 160 Naintal to HaridwarSo I din't take my train yesterday and bought a night bus ticket to Haridwar today. It was twice as expensive but i din't care. Do not entertain the thought of dragginf my luggage 2 hrs to haldwani and squeezing in the dirty train. Its good to travel in a little comfort sometimes though money had been extremely tight. But Mr BF had promised USD 300 in state of emergency so I could sort of relax now, haha. Henry said earlier in facebook chat too that it pays to spend more for the comfort, which i didn't agree at that time.
So that's the end of blogging my not so interesting week.
Now I wished I could get into Delhi fast and chill.
Labels: *行走*
