Nameste! From Japan, Korea?

Disclaimer: This entry is based on personal experience. I'm NOT a bigot by nature.

Nameste! (Opening line inspired from WanZ's blog. Ha)

This ostensibly friendly greeting in Hindi turned out to be friendly-not. More likely, everytime when we heard it, it was beckoning: "Show me the money!!"

Even when it was not heard, the "show me the money" aura seemed to pervade almost every step we took. I was hoping we were just being petty and paranoid when people approached us, when they wore smiles on their faces. But almost everytime, it wasn't paranoia. Our hostilities were justified. Valid. In fact, the optimist in me had always hoped for the better. Until proven wrong. Not wanting to be left disappointed time and again, the best strategy we came up with: ignore, ignore and ignore. If stares could kill, we would have employed that instead. Too bad.

If clothes maketh a man, then people maketh a land. Which explained why Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, didn't feel that awesome. At least to me. It might be the time of the day when we went. Or maybe it was that time of the month. A temple of much less splendour in Thailand or Laos would feel much more inspiring.

Not gonna write any more stuff on the trip. In case any incendiary and inflammatory statements get posted.

Nonetheless, have posted some photos which i like from my trip. Hmmm...some nice memories still. Even though i was always worried if those little ones were gonna raise their hands and say: "Tip. Tip." when i took their photos. But there's always a glint of innocence in kids. That's why they're my favourites. Not photoshopped though. Presenting them in their raw forms.