What a blast!

Thailand has been the reward for surviving urban India. It has made for such a perfect end to this trip. The temples, places, and ruins are stunningly ornate and are EVERYWHERE. You never go for more than a minute when driving without seeing some incredible building. Then there's the food. The food is even more abundant than the amazing architecture. And it is equally worthy of praise. The food in India was very good, but you paid for indulging with an hour on the toilet at four A.M. I'm guessing this effect would have subsided with a few more months of tolerance build up. But even the sketchiest of street food here in Bangkok has uninhibited my sleep patterns thus far. It really makes me wish I had about five more stomachs so I could eat continually. One can get an hour long foot massage for $3 and afterward have your feet scoured and pampered by these little fish that eat all of your dead skin and hangnails and leave your feet feeling like they are not worthy to walk on, for another $2. I am about to go get a Thai massage, which is like somebody doing yoga for you. Also, you can find a person from any part of the world at any time on Khao San street. This street is PACKED with backpackers and tourists. I have yet to meet a single person from the states on this street, so you become engrossed in truly fascinating discussions about things people just don't discuss in the states. I am learning a ton about where I should go next and wish I did not have to leave Bangkok. My plane for Seoul leaves tonight at 10 pm. I will have a day to explore Seoul tomorrow and then I'll be home bound. See everybody soon!
-Taylor

Bangkok!

So I am in Bangkok with the Sagers after an increadible day of seeing ancient temples and increadibly beautiful ruins. The sun is shining and I got my first hint of a tan. Sad/glad to leave India and looking foward to some time in Bangkok and Seoul. I really had no idea what to expect here in Thailand so I am pleasantly shocked to find so many increadible buildings. Really spectacular buildings. Having a great time and don't want to come back yet!
-Taylor

Siliguri

I am now in Siliguri, West Bengal. Sad day leaving Sikkim, but it had to happen some time I guess. Tomorrow it is off to the Baghdogra airport and from there, to Delhi and then to Bangkok early Monday morning to join Hilary and the gang! Got a scare today going through Sikkim/Bengali customs. One of the inspectors decided to search all of my stuff and he decided that one of my presents was a Sikkimese historical artifact and made a big lot of trouble for me. A bit of quick talking and a fine of Rs. 1000 (about $25 that went straight into the man's pocket) got me out of immediate trouble. I kind of wondered when I bought the present. Seemed a bit underpriced. Well I'm off to bed, until tomorrow!
-Taylor

Last Day in Gangtok

So today is my last day in Gangtok! Nothing will compare to the farm but I have enjoyed my time here nonetheless. I was able to visit a few places today, the Orchid Sanctuary, Insitute of Tibetology, Rumtek monastery, and the Handicrafts Emporium of Sikkim. The insitute of Tibetology was very interesting and explains a lot of what I experienced at the farm. The others were mostly tourist traps in my opinion but the Indian tourists seemed to really love them so I guess I am not as in tune to what makes for good site seeing in India! Tomorrow I will travel back into West Bengal and stay in Siliguri for the night. I dread the drive, but I guess it's a nessecary evil. I have discovered my greatest fear: Indian driving on Himalayan muel paths that are the roads here. I still have no way of knowing what the celebration was about yesterday... all of my holiday guides in books only say what day of the Tibetan calendar the holidays occur on, and not what western day. Everybody is giving discounts on goods today though. I befriended a shop owner here who lets me use his computer/internet for free, being that I am leaving tomorrow morning I'm not sure whether I'll have internet wherever I end up staying tomorrow so I hope to update as soon as I can!
-Taylor

Mysterious Holiday

So today seems to be some sort of local holiday, although none of the locals know what it is... The day has been spent trying to avoid raining bullets from celebrating soldiers, and firecrackers that more resemble bombs, I would not be supprised if they actually were. But it seems to all be in good spirit and I feel completely safe... inside that is. It is also comforting that today is a "Dry Day" (No alcohol consumption allowed) and it is I am told followed by everybody out of religon. So no worries there. My hotel made a mistake and overbooked, so I have been given a Suite for the price of my original room. Still quite abysmal... But I appreciate it for what it has, hot water, relatively clean sheets, and a toilet. I remain healthy despite having to accept many offers of truly filthy tea and food out of respect. Tomorrow the celebrations will be over and I will get around to some sight seeing! I hope to update then!
-Taylor

Gangtok day 1

Hey all,
So I just arrived in Gangtok after a treacherous 8 hour drive through rocky unpaved mountain roads. Yangsum farm was a truly amazing place and I hope to go back again someday. Still no picture uploading, I'm starting to think it might have to wait until I get back to the land of High Speed internet. I had a wonderful trek through Richingpong yesterday and got to visit a primary school and a Monastery and the monks-to-be showed me around their dormitories and facilities. I will have more to talk about tomorrow when I am not so tired from the long bumpy car ride.

-Taylor

I'm here!

After a long drive through astoundingly tall gorges from the Baghdogra airport yesterday, I arrived at Yangsum Farm safely. This is saying something because the crosswind in Baghdogra was so intense that our pilot did not want to land, once he did, the West Bengali officials didn't want us to unload the plane because they were moving air defense planes around and they said it was against security protocal, once we were offloaded and waiting for baggage on the conveyor belt, the entire airport lost power for about an hour and many delays due to rampant wildfires burning everywhere (they don't fight them here). So far I have been recovering from jet lag and resting. I was in complete culture shock yesterday but now I do not want to ever leave Sikkim. Right now I am the only person staying at the farm but tonight Thendup has told me that I will be joined by two people fromGreece tonight. It has been raining all night and today a little. Breakfast was tea from the farm, milk from the farm, wonderful curry rolls (made from farm ingredients), fresh farm eggs, and watermelon juice. Tomorrow will be a walking day and I will be visiting a couple monestaries. Last night when we were driving we stopped to take a break and joined in a game of soccer. The kids playing ended up piling inside of the Land Rover and on top of it and riding for a ways. They had a great time making fun of me (about half of them spoke english) and having me try different candies they had. They ended up inviting me to their school tomorrow which coincidentaly Thendup's wife teaches at, so I will also be visiting there tomorrow. The internet here is via sattelite and I can't upload pictures but I will try next time I have a faster internet connection.

-Taylor

Itinerary

Taylor India Itinerary

18 March: Drive to seattle
19 March: Flight departs seattle, to LA. LA to Seoul, South Korea and cross dateline to 20 March.
20 March: Seoul, South Korea to Bangkok where I meet Hilary and Julie.
21 March: Say goodbye to Hilary and Julie and depart Bangkok for Calcutta. Calcutta to Bagdogra/Silguiri. In Silguiri I will meet Thendup Tashi, my host for a few days. He and I will travel into Sikkim, and to his family’s farm (Yangsum Farm http://www.yangsumfarm.com/). For a little while my plans get a little foggy. I will be learning traditional Sikkimese cooking, Trekking, and visiting monasteries around Namchi—the nearby town. The farm is beautiful and ideal, but costs more money than I wish to pay for an extended amount of time, so I will probably only stay a few nights. When I decide to leave the farm I will most likely travel to Gangtok which is further north (more Tibetan/Nepali influence than Indian). I will stay in Gangtok, surrounding hills, and hamlets no later than 28 March. I will most likely travel back to Siliguiri on the 27th via helicopter (roughly $30 flat rate) and visit “the world’s tallest bridge.” My flight back to Bangkok leaves on 28 March.
28 March: Leave Silguiri/Bagdogra to Delhi. I will have an eight hour layover in Delhi.
29 March: Depart Delhi to Bangkok. Arrive Bangkok early morning and meet Hilary, Dan, Julie, and Tip. I will be visiting some Thai historical sites with the Sagers and Tip all day and will stay with them overnight.
30 March: Sagers depart for the states and I will have a day to explore Bangkok.
31 March: Depart Bangkok Late at night to Seoul.
(Asian) 1 April: (I get two April fools days!) I arrive from Bangkok in Seoul early in the morning and have 12 hours to explore Seoul. My flight for the states departs late evening.
(American) 1 April: Flight from Seoul arrives in Seattle. Seattle to Portland where Hilary will pick me up.

Places to visit: (I will only get to some of them)
Sevoke Coronation Bridge
Institute of Tibetology
Gangtok Palace
Gangtok Royal Chapel
Orchid Sanctuary
Paljor Stadium
Monastaries of Rumtek and Phodong (Sites of Gautama Buddha’s founding of Buddhism)
Tashi
Dro-Drul Chorten Monastary
Kacheoperi Lake (Holy Lake)
135’ statue of Guru Rinpoche
Ban Jhakri Park
Temi Tea Gardens
Tazo Tea gardens
Tenzing Norgay’s Final resting Place and Monument
Mt. Kanchenjunga (World’s third highest peak)
Rhododendron Sanctuary
Yoksum (Be blessed by three famous lamas)