by Calvin Sun | Jul 19, 2011 | Crisis, India, Let me tell you a Story..., Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea, Travel Warnings
Madurai at night. Back on the road: literally hit the ground running. Before beginning, we treat ourselves to free access to Amex Platinum’s Lounge Stephanie, having no interest in seeing Madurai, stayed behind Mumbai an extra few hours...
by Stephanie Quan | Jul 19, 2011 | India, Let me tell you a Story..., Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
In an attempt to slow down, I decided to skip out on Calvin and Karen’s Madurai adventure. Instead, I took a flight yesterday to Chennai and then a bus to Pondicherry. Woke up in Pondicherry this morning to a blackout. With no internet and no way to contact...
by Calvin Sun | Jul 17, 2011 | Crisis, India, Introspection, Mythbusters, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
Back when I toured the refugee camps of Palestine and Tibet, I pondered the difference between the use of the words “slum” and “refugee camp.” I was told today that in India, the official definition of “slum” is where the land is...
by Stephanie Quan | Jul 16, 2011 | Epiphanies on the Road, India, Introspection, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
As a tourist (or traveler, a term Calvin prefers), we enter each city, see its sights, eat at the restaurants, and try to form a impression. This view, while vast geographically, is inherently shallow. Furthermore, up to this point in my travels, it has somewhat...
by Calvin Sun | Jul 15, 2011 | India, Introspection, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea, The Nightlife, Travel Warnings
Mumbai: just the way I left it. It’s been a day since 3 bombs killed 20+ people in 3 heavily populated areas of the center city, and Mumbaikars carry on as usual. The only noticeable signs of the attacks are the tan-clothes police officers stationed every...
by Calvin Sun | Jul 14, 2011 | India, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
Before I get into what’s going on in Mumbai, I must give a recap from Jaipur. Although last year’s trip to Jaipur was pretty cursory, I think I made up for it this time. Take a look at this trailer for Tarsem’s “The Fall” and...
by Calvin Sun | Jul 14, 2011 | India, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea, Travel Warnings
Yesterday’s bombings in Mumbai. 7/13/11. It’s all over the news in India. A series of bombs went off in 3 separate areas of the city last night during rush hour, 2 of which were in popular areas that foreigners (including myself) regularly would travel...
by Calvin Sun | Jul 12, 2011 | Epiphanies on the Road, India, Introspection, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea, What Dreams May Come
I am alone. The desert gales wash my naked chest, and my bare feet burrow into the heat of the earth. I bathe in breathing moonlight. For a moment I can see God moving over the face of the sands. And I see only the desert. I feel a slight night...
by Calvin Sun | Jul 12, 2011 | Fit for Foodies, How Did You Do That?, India, Jordan, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
Although the Thar Desert isn’t the grand sand dunes you’d think of when it comes to deserts, it does have a few bright moments of smooth stretches of wind-sculpted sand. The famous Rajasthani desert safari gig can be made flexible from a half day trip to as...
by Calvin Sun | Jul 11, 2011 | Camping, Doctor in the House, Fit for Foodies, How's the weather?, India, Let me tell you a Story..., Public Transportation, Serendipitous!, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
Last year I was confronted with a choice between Udaipur or Jaisalmer given my limited time. In the end I chose Udaipur due to warnings that Jaisalmer was way too hot this time of year (55 degrees celsius?!). I think I had chosen wisely, not only due to the...
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