2 go mad in india

baby baby baby

anniekaka — Sat, 7 Jul 2007 19:40:00 GMT

Well not sure if any one is still reading this but thought I would add this last entry anyway. Well the reason for my fast exit out of McLeod Ganj and India was due to me falling pregnant!!! I am in England and am now 3 months pregnant, had my 1st scan yesterday and everything is fine. Only I could fall pregnant to someone called Baby!!! But things are cool I am very happy about the pregnancy unexpected as it was but some things are just meant to be I feel. So this trip has really been life changing for both me and Sophia, she gets married and I get up the duff as it were! But you know we are both extremely happy and at the end of the day that is what life is all about so I guess thankyou India. hugs and kisses to all Anniexxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

so thats it then

anniekaka — Thu, 7 Jun 2007 21:15:00 GMT

So the day has finally come for me to leave McLeod Ganj for good, I can hardly believe it. In an hour I am meeting Baby and we are heading to smelly Delhi for 3 bloody days as we have a few things to sort before I go. Apparantly it is 40 degrees in Delhi at the mo so should be a bundle of laughs...NOT!. Anyway not sure how I feel about leaving here I thought I would feel sadder really but then again things never really " click" with me till about 3 days later. I am sad to think that I will most likely never see any of these lovely people again in my life, supermonk, Jamyung the monk, Jam, Dragon etc. to name but a few but I guess that is the law of travel. Shit it sucks :(

I am really gutted though about this trip coming to an end with my main lady Sophia (Patsy). We have just had THE most awesome time travelling together. We have spent nearly everyday and evening together for 5 months and not even had a cross word, I think that is pretty amazing for 2 chicks travelling together. We have just laughed and taken the piss and had an absolute giggle, so if anyone is looking for a travelling companion she's the one to go with. Soph if your reading this I love ya to bits and know that we are the up and coming Eve and Maureen! Can't wait to do some camping trips in Cornwall next summer altho will we be allowed to play together again after this trip???!!! Can't wait to catch up with you in Blighty and get the photoes out, anyway babe a few reminders, ginger Indians, stalkers, Moira Stewart, Mick Jagger and Madge, Baby as your strippergram, Eddie and Patsy, Elephant rides, Elvis Presley the bird, no brakes on the mountains, boss eyed cunts, Batfink, Beardog, Tashis galour, Bagsu mama, party on the beach, Amdo songs, momo making, inabilty to walk up stairs, Osho, McLeod pigdogs,Kingfishers, Magic moments and the list goes on and on sure have left loads out but sure we will fill in the gaps, and once again love ya to bits babe!!!!!!

Anyway enough of the sopey stuff, now am getting sad ah shit anyway for now Annie has left the building see you all soon tonnes of hugs and kisses to all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

road trip

anniekaka — Wed, 23 May 2007 18:36:00 GMT

So still on my road trip but heading back to McLeod today. We started off on Friday when me and Baby decided to hire a motorbike, we got an Enfield as it looks nice and had heard they were good bikes, yeah right! Our journey started with us on the bike for 30 mins we hadn't even got out of Dharamasala but we broke down as we had run out of petrol already. Got ourselves sorted and then headed for a place called Bier. With a name like that just knew I should go there! The ride was really beautiful, driving through the mountains, the scenery was just awesome. It took us about 3 hours and we went and stayed with one of Baby's relatives. A lovely man called Lobsung who made me feel so welcome, he has 2 boys aged 8 and 10 and when the boys went to get supplies for dinner I was left with the kids which resulted in us doing headstands against a wall and having running races, what cool kids! We made momos for dinner and it was just a lovely evening. The next morning we got ready to leave at 8 and when we went to start the heap of shit, sorry I mean the Enfield it wouldn't start for love nor money. We ended up taking it to a mechanic who couldn't do much with it either, we found this out after 6 hours of waiting around while he fiddled with the bike. So in the end I called the shop told them they're bike was shite and that I was leaving it at the garage and would not be paying any more money for the day's hire, they were trying to charge me but I feel they must have felt my wrath as in the end they agreed and we left the bike and got on a bus to Manali, bout 8 hours away.

We met up with Soph and Jam who are having a bit of a honey moon here. It is a stunning place. Me and Baby got a cool room with gorgeous views of the Himalayas. The first day me and Baby just hung out playing pool, drinking some Kingfishers and watched a movie, 300 Men, god knows what it was about but the effects were great. The next day 6 of us went up the mountains to Rohtung, which the views were just wow wow and more wow. Soph and Jam rode a bike up and me,Baby, Salli and Christine got a taxi, I had certainly had my fill with bikes by now. It took us about 3 hours to get to the top driving past glaciers, horses grazing, shephards with their flock. When we got to the top there were yaks, skiing if you wanted it, but that looked a bit shite. Me and Soph hired some coats as it were a bit chilly mine was a dodgy red number but in a weird sort of way I thought it looked quite cool. We hung out at the top for a bit drinking tea and then made for our way back down. As we were driving we noticed a crew of vultures so we stopped to take a look and they were feasting on the carcus of a cow. It was amazing to be up that close.

So yesterday was my birthday yay! I still get as excited as a 6 year old about it. Me and Baby went to ride some yaks but when I got there the poor things looked so sad that I didn't want to add to their troubles by putting my fat arse on one so we just sat there and watched them. On the way a Punjabi army officer stopped us, he was with a group of teenagers, bout 20 of them and wanted his picture taken with me, ( good to have my fanbase back!) and then I was introduced to each student where they shook my hand and told me their name, all very surreal. Met up with Mr & Mrs Jam for some lunch and then again for dinner. Honestly I just never stop eating here. We went to a lil Tibetan restaurant where as we were sitting at the table the waitress came over with a cake for me with " Happy Birthday Annie Kingfisher " iced on it. I was very touched that the guys had gone to such trouble as really wasn't expecting anything at all. So it was a lovely simple birthday, probably one of the first in a while where I haven't go totally smashed, just had a few cheeky ones.

So our bus leaves at 8 this evening which will get us into McLeod about 6 in the morning. I kinda don't want to go back as loving this holiday feeling but all good things must come to an end, also I need a change of clothes as originally we were only coming away for a night so have been in the same smelly clothes for 6 days, no wonder the flies won't leave me alone. Anyway peeps thats it for now will write soon peace and love and all that xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Gallery: road trip

anniekaka — Tue, 22 May 2007 20:54:00 GMT

Gallery: Wedding Album

anniekaka — Mon, 14 May 2007 19:43:00 GMT

wedding bells

anniekaka — Sun, 13 May 2007 01:02:00 GMT

So on Monday Sophia got married!!!! How awesome is that. Her day started with her and her husband to be going down to the Buddhist temple where they prostrate and make promises to each other about their married life together. Then at 6 o'clock the party started yay! She looked absolutely stunning, her dress was incredible. It was a traditional Nomadic dress ( as Jam was a nomad in Tibet ) and he also wore a traditional Chuba which is like a very colourful jacket which you can all see when I put the photoes up. I love the way these weddings are so amazingly colourful.

We all started off drinking Tibetan tea which is an acquired taste as is very salty. Then the happy couple sat on some chairs and we all put prayer scarves around them. One on Soph, one on Jam and one on a picture of the Dalai Lama which was above them. By the end they were both sat under a mountain of them. We then all tucked into some lovely food and then we got rid of the tea and started on the whisky and vodka. Tibetans love to sing and I guess a wedding is a perfect opportunity for a sing song. So they passed around an orange juice carton ( do love the simplicity) and whoever got it had to sing. The Tibetan nomadic songs sound so beautiful, when it came to my turn I decided to do a speech instead of putting everyone through me trying to sing "Dirty Ole Town". Then the tunes went on and everyone just had a bit of a boogey.

So its been nearly a week since she got married and I must say they are very happy and I am still getting my head around that we came away on this trip and what a life changer it has turned out to be. I'm sure if anyone had told Sophie in January she would be coming home a married woman she would of laughed her head off. But I guess as Forest would say "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you gonna get"

love and hugs to you all xxxxxxxxxxxx

good to be back

anniekaka — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 23:44:00 GMT

So we are back home and I must say it feels great to see everyone again! We both realise that here is where we are happiest so we have decided to stay here until we come home in July. We have started our volunteer work at the Tibetan kids childcare centre and we love it. It is a charity set up so that low income Tibetan families can go out and work and leave their children at the centre for free. There are about 25 kids from 0-3 years here and the staff are great with them. Me and Soph go in from 9-12 6 mornings a week and play with the kids feed them and generally just help out. Our days here are quite busy which is one of the reasons we came back. I teach 3 guys English from 2-3, 2 girls from 3.30-4.30 and now 3 15 year old boys who have recently done the walk over the Himalayas to escape Tibet. So we are busy busy busy :)

Oh and we have also got a new pad which is fab. Our shower and toilet are outside but we have a big room with a sink in it and we have bought ourselves a gas stove so we can cook for ourselves which is awesome. We had both become so bored of eating out so it is perfect timing. We have a great view of the Himalayas from our window will post some piccies up soon.

Last night we camped out in the Himalayas with Jam and Baby. We went up beside a waterfall. The walk up nearly killed me, I am so unfit it is embarassing. Anyway we finally got up there just as it was getting dark and the view was stunning and it was just so peaceful. The boys got to work collecting wood for a fire ( their Nomadic skills came in very handy) and got us a fire going. We just sat there chatting having a very cheeky vodie and then went and found somewhere to crash out that had more shelter round it. Me and Baby found an awesome lil place that just about had enough room for the 2 of us and it had big boulders round us and weh ad a pretty cosy nights sleep. It was fab just kicking back looking at the stars. When we woke up in the morning the sounds of the different birds was just lovely. While the weather is good we wanna get up there as much as we can. Oh and one other thing before I forget I shall be bridesmaid at Sophia's wedding. Her and Jam are getting married on May 7th!!!!!!!! They went to see a Lama today and he set the day for them. So am well chuffed for her he really is the sweetest guy so good luck to them :)

trekking my arse

anniekaka — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 16:05:00 GMT

So we got the bus to Pokara which has the most stunning scenery enroute. Even though we had got up at silly o'clock to catch the bus and was knackered I still found it hard to sleep as didn't wanna miss anything. We drove through the Himalayas which were soooo lush. We booked ourselves on a 2 day trek, didn't we start off saying we were gonna go for 21 days??? Ah well. And being the sensible girls that we are went out and had a big ole session on the booze the night before our trek. We honestly only meant to go for one and get an early night but you know those sort of unexpected ones you have now and again.

There was a really good band on at the bar where we were having a cheeky one and as we haven't heard any decent live music in months decided to stay and party. It ended up with us wearing our hair in side ponytails, seemed a good idea at the time!, and dancing like total looneys on the dance floor, boy was I pulling out some moves, I'm quite shocked that I wasn't doing the caterpillar across the dance floor, I think I was just one step away from that stage. We ended up stumbling home at about 4 and had to be up for the trek at 7.

The next morning when Soph tried to wake me, apparantly I sat on my bed moaning that "I don't wanna fucking trek", don't remember that bit but am sure some of you remember what a grumpy old git I am if I don't get my sleep. Anyway we go to the trekking office and meet our guide Ram who is an absolute honey and we jokingly ask him if we can get a taxi up the mountain and he says we can. So we pay 500 rupees and get a taxi up most of the mountain, walk for 20 mins up to the lodge, get there and go to sleep for the next 4 hours. When we wake up we have lunch and just sit around playing cards all day. Anyway after hours of this we go to bed and we decide that we can't be arsed to trek tomorrow as the visibility is bad and what is the point really of climbing up a mountain when you can't see 5 foot in front of you???? So we tell Ram the next morning and he is cool with this but does jokingly tell us we are the laziest trekkers he has ever met. We also laugh and then ask if he can arrange us a taxi back down, do we have no shame??!!

Anyway we get the taxi back down and suddenly the car starts going pretty fast and the car is going all over the place getting scarily closer to the edge of the mountain and it is looking like the car is gonna roll over too, and the only way we stopped was that there was miraculously some sand like what they use for building work in front of us and our driver steers the car into that. It turns out that the brakes on the car had failed!!!!!! Just what you need coming down the Himalayas. We can't believe how bloody lucky we were, noone was hurt and we luckily didn't drive into anyone, go off the side of the mountain, or go into the wall etc etc. I can't believe how remarkably calm we were during it, I just grabbed hold of Soph's leg. I think it is a combination of the fact that I can't drive and am usually in my own little world anyway and didn't really realise what was going on at the time. Anyway we got out of the car and the whole village came out to have at nosey at what had gone on. Anyway we ended up getting another taxi the rest of the way as we figured how unlucky do you have to be for the brakes to fail on your car twice in one hour? So I guess I have learnt a few things from the last few days, I really am not cut out for trekking and why I ever thought I would enjoy it is beyond me. I remember doing treks as a volunteer on the kibbutz when I was younger and fitter and I would always rather go up the cable car than walk if I could. Also I do really enjoy walking but just not up mountains, give me a beach or a forest anyday or even a nice flatish mountain path. Anyway we are both really excited as heading back to McLeod Ganj tomorrow which is gonna take 3 days but at least we are on the move back. It is gonna be so cool to meet up with our friends again yay!! So enough waffle from me, sending happy thoughts to all of you, love ya Anniexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

chicken run

anniekaka — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 00:31:00 GMT

Well here I am and am not in the monastery as planned. We did go to Kopan monastery and it is truly beautiful with amazing views etc. We checked in and eveything then went to the introductory talk. Well there was a lot more meditation on the course than we had expected and the last 3 days were to be spent in silence meditating, that was the bit that we thought " nah", at the end of the day I didn't come away with Soph not to talk to her and I know that we would of found it near impossible not to have a sneaky chat and probably ruin it for others who were there to do that kind of stuff so we upped and left within 2 hours of getting there but que sera sera. We both know that we want to learn about Buddhism and can do it loads cheaper by chatting to Supermonk etc. in McLeod Ganj so that is what we gonna do.

So we are now in Chitwan a nature reserve and this morning we went on an elephant ride. Was absolutely fab. We started out at 6.30 this morning with Nelly and did a jungle safari. As we were riding along we saw a peacock and then our guide stopped the elephant and was saying to me " can you see, can you see" looking through some shrubs and low and behold it was a fucking chicken!! Didn't really come all the way to Nepal to see chickens but I made out I was really excited anyway as didn't want to dissapoint him as he was very excited about it. As our ride went on we saw some deer ( again not that excited by them ) but then as we carried on we came across a mother and calf rhino!!!!! wow wow wow, will put some photoes up tomorrow, it was amazing she was just lying in some water with the calf resting on top of her. It was amazing how close we got. Elephants are definately the way to go. As we continued our journey we saw about another 6 adult rhinos and another calf with her mum. Our elephant was gorgeous, 35 years old, and they have the same master (mahoot ) all their lives and it appears that they have a very strong bond and she totally listens to what he says, is very cool.

This afternoon we went on a jeep safari and to be honest after the elephant safari it was like watching paint dry. We drove around with not very good views around as the grass was high and it was hot so I knew that most animals would be shading themselves. At one point I was asleep as we were driving around. For the first 2 hours the highlight was wait for it a fucking chicken!!!! Anyway we carried on and managed to see 2 more rhino which was kinda cool but after the morning was feeling a bit rhinoed out ( what am I like must have A.D.D ) As we were driving home our jeep stopped and we picked up some poor Nepalese guy who works in the park who had been attacked by a sloth bear. The poor guy looked very weak and a bit traumatised I think, it had attacked his arm, probably with his claws . As we were driving back our guides stopped the jeep for us to look at an eagle but we were like, it doesn't matter about the animals just get this guy to a hospital. Anyway our guide assured us he would get to a hospital and we left him at the pick up point.

Last night at our guest house we met a local man who had scars where he had been attacked by a baby rhino that had charged him knocked his tooth out and left a big scar on his arm. Makes me realise that we really are the small fry when we come to these parks. Tomorrow we are off to Pokarra to do a bit of trekking, but to be honest the amount of days we wanna do are getting shorter day by day so will probably end up doing a 4 day somewhere. So until then adios xoxoxoxo

raise the roof

anniekaka — Fri, 6 Apr 2007 17:40:00 GMT

We're in Nepal yay!!!! And what an amazing journey it has been. Staying in McLeod I had forgotten how much I love travelling. We left Delhi in the afternoon and got onto our sleeper train and it certainly wasn't the best ride we have had. The train didn't move for a few hours half way through the journey don't know if it had broken down or what oh well. Then one of the guys who was in our sleeper compartment would not stop staring at us. We are used to the usual curious looks and really don't mind as we realise we must look strange with our white skin and Soph being a blond and all but he was just weird. So we got up onto the top bed and just stayed there out of his way for most of the journey.

Anyway during the journey a young Tibetan guy came and asked us if we were travelling to Nepal and would we like to share a jeep to the border with him and his mates so ofcourse we were up for it. They were a group of teenagers ( 8 boys and 2 girls )from the TVC (Tibetan Children's Village) where a lot of the kids are either orphans or have escaped Tibet, and they were going on their annual holiday to Nepal. They had done the trip many times so we knew we were in good hands. Their ages were from 16- 21 and they were very streetwise, one of them put a knife down his trousers put he assured us it was just for our protection as there have been cases where the drivers try and rip them off etc, and I must say we both felt absolutely safe and had no reason to disbelieve them. I loved the fact that they smoked cigarettes only when travelling as they said it made them look tougher!!! Fuck knows how hard I look then as I am puffing away!

So after lots of bartering we all squeezed into the jeep. They all spoke fluent Hindi and some Nepalese which always helps when you are trying not to get ripped off over here me thinks. The jeep ride was great but about a kilometre from the border the jeep packs up and will only drive in 1st gear, so we all get out and walk the last bit to the border. And then yay we are in Nepal!! I love it here already. Anyway we go and get some grub and one of the boys, Captain they all called him as he seems the hardest ( he smokes loads of fags ) and is kinda in charge tells us we can get the bus to Kathmandu with them. Awesome coz me and Soph didn't really have a clue where we were going. So we get on the bus and we are sitting there waiting but there is a commotion going on outside with about 7 backpackers who have tickets but there is no room on the bus. Ooopps think we might be sitting in the seats so after about half hour we all pile off the bus, our badass gang of 12 and get up on the roof rack with the luggage!! And that is how we travelled for 6 glorious hours to a place called Mugly. It was wicked with the wind blowing in our hair and holding on as the bus snaked up the mountains. Also the views are great on the top of a bus. It made me think how many rules and regulations there are at home. If that happened in London someone would be facing a lawsuit. Anyway we have now decided in future we want to be put on the roof rack for the rest of our journeys round Asia.

We get to Mugly and Tashi (his pics are in Nepal album) is staying in Mugly too so the three of us share a room for the night (We'd of been locked up for that at home ). He is only 16 and a real sweetheart. His mother died giving birth to his brother who is a high lama, and his father died when he was 15 of cancer so he came to the TCV to get an education as he wants to be a doctor and find a cure for cancer. Some of the kids at the TCV get sponsered but when we asked what he would do if he couldn't get the money he said he would make a concert to raise money for his studies. If I ever hear another student at home moan about how hard done by they are I might have to whack them. He is just a sweetie and I really hope to stay in touch with him and see if he makes it. I think he will as he seemed very determined. We left him the next morning but not before he sorted us out a ride in a van for a good price ( bless him ) to Kathmandu and here we are. We are staying in Bouddha which is a Tibetan place. It has a reception centre here for all the refugees fleeing Tibet. We are staying by a huge stupa and there are loads of monks here. The stupa is absolutely enormous and has loads of gorgeous prayer flags draped all over it .We love it. Anyway we need to get going soon as we start our 10 day introductory Buddhist course at Kopan monastery today and need to be there for 5.30. So need to get me head round the fact that there will be no booze or fags for 10 days!! Anyway love to you all xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Gallery: hello Nepal

anniekaka — Thu, 5 Apr 2007 18:24:00 GMT

fun

Gone :(

anniekaka — Tue, 3 Apr 2007 14:47:00 GMT

So here we are in smelly Delhi after a 12 hour overnight bus journey from McLeod Ganj. Our bus driver seemed to think he was Schumacher and would go very fast around mountain bends in bloody coach. It was also the bumpiest ride I think I have had so far and everytime I would eventually get to sleep I would wake my self up by banging my head off the window after going over yet another bunp or him slamming on the brakes. I did say a few prayers ging through the mountain bit but thankfully we are hear in one piece.

So yesterday we had to go and say goodbye to all the lovely folks that we have met. We went and saw Grainne who is definatley gonna meet up with us in Nepal yay!!! Then the boys came and met us and took us to the bus stand. We were just sitting there waiting for the bus to go when they pulled out some Khata's, Tibetan prayer scarves and put them round our necks. They are long silk white scarves that have mantras woven into them which represent the sincerity of one's offering with no negative thoughts or motives in mind. It is also used as a sign of recognition of one's love or respect for another. It really was a beautiful moment. I had said I wasn't gonna cry but when that happened me and Sophie got on the bus in floods of tears and were very close to getting off and just going back to McLeod Ganj but we just feel like we need to go see Nepal etc. and know that we will come back here.

So the plan at the moment is to do our travelling and get back to McLeod Ganj for my birthday. We wanna try and get somewhere that has cooking facilities so it will feel more like home and be a bit cheaper. But as you know from the journal our plans change all the time. Anyway will write again when we get to Nepal. Oh and before I forget I got a marraige proposal from Baby last night, he was pissed but I feel it's time for another wedding ;).........................

fun

anniekaka — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 16:59:00 GMT

So still here in McLeod Ganj and loving it loving it loving it. Went to the English lesson with my monk who speaks no English and it was fab. I have nicknamed him godfather monk as he looks like a don and has the graveliest voice I have ever heard. He is keen to learn and he knows his abc so I just wrote question and answers down and got him to read them out loud and hopefully he understands what he is saying. It really amazes me what can be understood by sign language. He is a real sweetie and gave me and Sophie chocolate and oranges when we left. Have got 2 more sessions with him then we outta here :(

Have met some very cool people of late. Maureen and Eve are 2 women in their 60's who travel around together. They have grown up kids and are retired so this is what they are doing with their free time. They have been friend's for 42 years and used to go hitchhiking from UK to Spain and various other places in the 60's. They were so much fun and we met them a couple of nights for a drink. Me and Sophie are hoping that is us in the future. Still travelling and having a laugh together. Grainne the Irish girl we met is an absolute scream and we have been having a great laugh with her. We hope we can meet up with her again in Nepal. Sophie went home early the other night so me and Grainne stayed out partying. We ended up getting pretty pissed and ended up back at a friend's house where we both passed out. Had a quiet night though last night and just sat outside on our balcony looking at the mountains and birds etc. It is a view I don't think I could ever get bored with.

We are hoping to get motorbikes out tomorrow and do a little road trip possibly to Manali with the boys. I shant be driving as I think if I do it is highly likely I will end up going off the side of the mountain! Manali is another Hill station in the Himalayas and is supposed to be even more beautiful than here. Will let you all know how that goes until then kaley shoo xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

off we go

anniekaka — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 16:18:00 GMT

So yesterday I picked up our train and bus tickets to Nepal. We are leaving on Monday on the overnight bus to smelly Delhi, from there we are gonna get a train to the border which is another overnighter and once we get through the border we will get a bus to Kathmandu. The monastery starts on the 6th and we shall be there for 10 days with no fags and booze which is good as am feeling like the ole body needs a bit of a detox as we have been partying pretty hard as of late. Although we are both gutted to be going but we are aiming to come back here for June or maybe earlier, could be fab to have my 36th birthday here yay!!

Our little gang of four has been split as Baby has gone to Delhi for a few days but he is coming back tomorrow so party on!! Last night me and Sophie went to Wang-cho's house to finally make momos. It was a great little vibe, he has a small room but we somehow managed to fit about 6 people in and we all prepared the momos together. I do love that whole communal feel that there is here everyone is just so willing to help each other out. We had to grate about a million potatoes ( well not that many but it was a lot )with ginger, garlic, spinach and cheese. The boys had already made the pastry up, could probably sense my lack of cooking skills or that I would of been tempted to have an egg fight. Well can't see me and Soph working in a momo factory anytime soon, the Tibetan's were in stitches at our attempts to make momo's. They had perfect little balls ( I mean the momo's!! ) but mine and Sophies were just undescribable shapes. Anyhow was all good fun.

Had a good night in McLoos ( our local) the other night. We bumped into our favourite Americano, Dave who we have bumped into about 4 times so far on our trip, should we be worried he is stalking us???? And also Groinye who we met briefly down south. So we all caught up over a few cheeky beers and the night ended with some pissed up locals having a sing a long but all in good fun. Not like at home when people start singing and getting loud in a bar it usually ends up going home in a police car or a trip to A&E. This is yet another reason I love this place, it's just such a peaceful vibe.

Am still going to the conversational classes and continue to meet the most beautiful people. Whenever we walk into the class there are always smiling faces looking up at us wanting to chat. I know I sound like I have been doing pills with all this loveliness but it just blows me away how kind and lovely the people here are. Today we are giving a private chat to a monk who speaks absolutely no English at all! I did manage to get him to understand "my name is Annie, what is your name?" So that is a promising start. May even have to pull some of my pigeon Tibetan out the bag, but as it is mostly swearwords I may be limited. Japassa "eat my shit" is my favourite so far!.Anyway enough of this waffle I have some serious sunbathing to do although why I bother is beyond me. Am convinced I was born with no melonin in my skin. Until next time Kaley shoo ( goodbye in Tibetan) xoxoxoxoxo

still here

anniekaka — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 19:02:00 GMT

So we are still here in McLeod Ganj and it is really starting to feel like home. We are getting to know loads of people here. One guy we have met is a total fruit loop though and we are not so keen on him, we both get a feeling in our waters about him and we have learned it is always best to go by that. He is a Buddhist monk but from day one I felt there was something a bit strange about him. We went for dinner with him and he asked if we sleep in the same bed and if we kiss each other! And then proceeded to tell us that he likes to "make pee pee and poo poo in the forest" EErrr Okay dude to much info on that one. I don't think he is a very good monk and we have heard a few dodgy stories about him so being the sensible girls we are we have declined any further dinner dates with him. We have met some lovely proper monks though at the conversational classes. One of them invited us back to his bedroom, who would ever of thought we would be hanging out with monks, and he is just lovely and fascinating. I love speaking to him about buddhism and he really does seem to practice what he preaches. He took us for a walk around his monastery and we really enjoy his company.

Well we had a good St Patricks day which started off with us going to a concert with Tibetan music! It was vey good though with some of the singers in the traditional dress. Then once that had finished we headed off to our local and it was a great atmosphere. There was a group of people with the Irish flag so we inevitably ended up chatting to them and finished the evening singing the fields of Athenry and Dirty Old Town. No matter where in the world you go always seems to be a group of mad paddies somewhere, love it!

Last night we went to Wang-cho ( sounds like wanker when you say it fast) house and he cooked us some noodles. He is an ex monk and is an absolute honey. We met him in Goa where he showed us some really cool breakdancing moves at a club there and we luckily bumped into him the other day here. India can feel really small sometimes. He is still a devout buddhist but I guess just couldn't do the monk thing anymore. We are going to his house again as he has promised to teach us how to cook momos. They are Tibetan dumplings filled with vegetables, cheese or meat and you can have them in a soup and they are gorgeous. Promise to make some for you all when I get home.

Weather has finally started to heat up and we have been making the most of the rooftop of our guesthouse and been chilling up there in our free time. Tibetan classes finished today, not sure how much I will remember but it was fun learning.

Anyway peeps thats about it for now off to my roof top for a spot of sunbathing, hugs and kisses Annie fanny xoxoxox

Gallery: this n that

anniekaka — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 21:11:00 GMT

fun

good times

anniekaka — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 23:52:00 GMT

So here we are still in Dharamsala and I don't think I ever wanna leave. Despite my constant moaning about the cold ( sorry folks but I do hate it) there is no where else I would rather be. It is absolutley stunnning here there is always something to do and everyone is so bloody nice, I just wanna stay here forever.

We have started our Tibetan lessons, it's so much fun, it's just me and Soph and our teacher Lowl who is an absolute honey and praises my attempts at Tibetan even though I am shite. Today he asked in Tibetan " where are you from?" and my answer " I do not have a question" !!! Oh well it's all part of the learning. Sophie seems to be a natural and am starting to think she was Tibetan in a past life. We only have a few more days of learning but hopefully we can keep up with it and will know a bit more than " I do not have a question" by the time I get to Tibet.

After class this morning we went down to the temple where the Dalai Lama was saying prayers for a long life and peace to all sentient beings. We couldn't understand what was being said but it was just lovely anyway. During the praying monks came out into the crowd and were giving out fruit, bread, sweets, biscuits etc. which all started tamely enough but I guess they could see they couldn't get to every one so they started chucking the sweets into the crowd and before we knew it loaves of bread were being lobbed in the air and fruit flying past us! I'm surprised noone was hurt but it was all done in good fun and we were all just laughing, the kids loved it. A lovely way to feed people and everything had been blessed by the main man. After the prayers he came walking past and me and Sophie swear he was looking straight at us with that cheeky little grin of his.

Our English conversational classes in the afternoon are brilliant. It's mostly monks and it has been so lovely to speak to them. The first day I was talking to two, can't remember the names unfortunatley. One was from Bhutan and his English was good and he seemed to be quite a lovely and holy monk. The other one (my favourite so far) was 21 and from Ladak and his English was not so good but he had a bit of a cheeky glint in his eye. He spent most of the hour staring at my tits, must remember to wear a tighter top tomorrow bless him! I think he is more cut out for smoking spliffs than praying which is probably why his parents sent him to the monastery. When I met him the next day he made a little cushion for me to sit on next to him (probably wanted to check my puppies out again)and said I was his Lama aaaawwwwww I lurve irm. Yesterday Sophie was chatting to him and let him read some stuff from a book she wrote in. Unfortunately the word shit was in there which he seemed to understand was a bad word and kept saying it and giggling to himself. Think we should leave the book at home next time before we get kicked out! My monk today was 21 and from Nepal and just lovely his English wasn't so good but we got by. Doing this conversational stuff really has been one of the best experiences of my life. The monks are fab to hang out with and you don't even have to try to be funny as they just laugh all the time, they are just amazing people. Which brings me on to a tiny little rant about Tibet, just please go to these websites and read about what is going on over there and if you can sign a petition to help the Tibetans get some of their human rights back, please do it. We have met so many lovely kind people here but all of their stories are the same. They have had to walk over the Himalayas risking their lives not knowing when they will see family and friends again in the hope of getting a better life and it is just shit. www.tibet.org www.tibet.com www.tibet.net Sorry to get political an all that.

So we are off to the bar tonight for a few cheeky Kingfishers to make the most of our time here. I think we are gonna spend St Patricks day here and leave to Rajastan after then so until next time peace and love to all Annie xoxoxoxoxo

nice guys

anniekaka — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 19:31:00 GMT

So we are still here in Mcleod Ganj and still loving it. The people are so lovely and we have been spending most evenings having a few Bevvies with Jamir and Baby. Have tried to put him in the corner a few times but he ain't having it (Dirty Dancing fans will get that one)Yes apparantly this is what all his mates call him too. They are really lovely guys from Tibet. They're story is shocking. Baby left Tibet 7 years ago as it is very hard for Tibetans to get work there. He walked across the Himalayas for 30 days to get here. He had to do most of the walking at night as the risk of getting caught by the Chinese was pretty high. He didn't have a tent and it was bloody freezing. But he made it here to Daramsala where a lot of the Tibetan's come to and is now a refugee here. Jamir's story is pretty similar. They still have family in Tibet and I can't imagine how awful it must be not knowing when and if you will see your friends and family again. Am finding it all very humbling and realise how easy and simple my life is being born and bred in England. If I ever start moaning about the small shit again please someone slap me.

So anyway after getting talking to these 2 me and Soph have decided that we are gonna go to Tibet for a couple of weeks after Nepal. When we told them this last night they were so excited and started writing down addresses of family we can stay with and messages to give them. They're parents don't speak English so we have enrolled in a 5 day Tibetan language course so that we can at least say the basics when we get there. Am really excited about going there. Baby's parents are nomads so that will be pretty nuts to stay with them. He was telling me that they have a tradition when they are about 15 if they like a girl they ride on a yak to her tent try and sneak past her parents and if they like each other have a bit of a snog. Beats hanging round the streets drinking a bottle of thunderbird as I think I was doing at that age.

We are volunteering this afternoon at an English school. I think we just have to go and chat about what ever to the students so they can practice their English. Should be a laugh will be sure to teach them a few cheeky swearwords ball sucker and cunt spring to mind. Anyway folks thats enough of my waffle for the moment off to get a bowl of soup as am sooooo cold. Nikki from Big Brother would hate it here bye for now xoxoxo

Gallery: ashram,mountains

anniekaka — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 19:09:00 GMT

Himalayas

anniekaka — Tue, 6 Mar 2007 23:38:00 GMT

FINALLY we're here in Daramsala yay! After travelling by plane, train and automobile for the last 70 hours we got to a guest house at 11 this morning. This place is just fab we are staying in Bhangu just outside Mcleod Ganj in a lovely guest house and when we open our door we look out onto the Himalayas. It's bloody freezing though, Am so pleased I bought a pair of thights with me and a warm hat so we are just layering up and hopefully won't freeze to death in our exceptionally cold room. Had a nap this afternoon and when I woke up I couldn't feel my toes it took me 20 minutes to muster up the courage to get out from the sleeping bag so god knows what tonight will be like. Am on a mission to buy some think socks to wear to bed with hat and gloves should be snug. We are hopefully moving rooms tomorrow one which has a shower with warm water. We just had some lunch I had tibetan noodles in soup (thampa) which are gorgeous, just sitting on a balcony overlooking mountains. I honestly feel like have died and gone to heaven. Being here makes me realise why I wanted to come to this amazing place, even the cold is bearable.

The mountains are snowcapped and everywhere I look there are Buddhist monks. Is it wrong of me to find them hot?? Some are very cute maybe it's the bloke in a skirt thing that does it for me that or me hormones which ever I must get a grip.

The Dalai Lama is here at the mo so will go and hear one of his talks tomorrow. We are also gonna check out a day trek to get us in training for the big one in Nepal. Anyway off to get a warm drink and do some shopping. God the shops are fab I could shop for ever here, so much cool stuff but jut no room in the backpack. Adios for now xoxo