GENERAL

I was asleep by 9:30 last night and woke early so decided to walk up to the fort to catch the sunrise over JODPHUR .

Unfortunately I hadn't taken my camera (although it probably wouldn't have worked anyway), but it was truly magical up there overlooking the waking city.

There was one guy up there in gym gear who noticed that I was wearing my own (although just for a walk) and he came over and greeted and struck up a discussion.

There's always a slight breeze blowing here so gaining a little altitude seems to alleviate the heat factor.

I haven't yet come across an unfriendly Indian in my travels.

They're always approachable (even if they speak no English) and never threatening.

Even in the rural areas,where they clearly seldom see westerners,they barely cast a glance (unless they think I'm Amitabh)

One more week now till I arrive back home.

Always love coming home, but I've really loved this place!

Not for everyone though ( I think that might include most of my mates).

I always view travel as a mixture of pleasure and adventure or life experience.In my opinion good travel needs to comprise a good mixture of the two to be memorable.

Some off my fondest travel memories, which will go with me to my grave,involve some sort of minor hardship.

Experiences like these also always bring home how fortunate we are to live in a fairly affluent society.

Most of the poorer people here would give anything to have a fraction of what we enjoy and live off far less than any SA minimum wage.

And I haven't seen anything resembling a protest since arriving.

The same can be said of many other poorer countries I've visited over the years.

The people get on with it and generally find some way of eking out a living rather than constantly bemoaning their fate.