Snake Tamers

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Originally uploaded by intrus.

OMG. I am normally the type of guy to get as close as is needed to get the shot and get it right, but there was something about this shot that kept me at a distance. My darling younger sisters are both deathly afraid of spiders, I love them because they kill the evil Mosquitoes that have haunted me for so many years. My dad hates heights, so I climb and tower to prove that I am not afraid of them.

As for me, I saw enough nature shows growing up (thanks Marty Staufer) to know that Snakes and a few other deadly animals, specifically certain species, are not to be taken without extreme caution. Something tells me the streets of India aren't a place I want to test these theories, especially not with presumably maltreated Cobras! I miss the harmless gartners of Michigan, terribly.

That being said, this was so cool to see first hand. I didn't expect it right there on the side of a random street in Jaipur. The shock excited me and the chance to get this interesting and colorful photo intregued me to the point of danger, but not enough to wait around for that vile creature to look my way! Maybe pasty white is the color that makes him go crazy and bite? What if he doesn't like the flash or zoom. Oh man...Not my biggest fear, but one realized nonetheless. A bientot

Riding the big one

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Originally uploaded by intrus.

I never did get this young fella's name, but I did learn he was a mere 20 years old and had a long healthy life ahead of him (I doubt the health of anyone or anything living in India). All personal feelings aside this was my first time riding an elephant! Check one for the camel in Tunis, check two for the horse in Cairo, and check three for the Elephant in Jaipur. What do they all have in common? They are cheap places and I rode them all in tourist traps (like the naive white boy I am). As far as Phant goes, I'd put him in the middle, not as smelly or bumpy as the camel, but the horse was smoother and more enjoyable than them all. An arguement could be made that I spent a few hours on the horse, saw some of the worlds greatest landmarks (Pyramids, Sphinx) and did it at high speeds independant of any guide, but still I think the scale is accurate, especially with regards to the smelliness ;)!

Welcome to India!

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Originally uploaded by intrus.

How better to showcase the recent trip to India than the most obvious and common photo from any Indian travel portfolio, in front of the Taj Mahal in Agra. What I was the most surprised by while visiting this world famous monument was the Arabic writing along it, the most to the west of it, and its interesting Muslim history. This is in fact the most famous monument in India (perhaps the world) which is a land inhabited by hundreds of millions of Hindus. I was actually equally stunned about my lack of any real knowledge about the Taj, but now I can say I have seen it and know her brief history...not to mention her sure size and splendor. I doubt I could even imagine creating something that large made entirely out of Marble.

As for India, it was an interesting place to say the least. Upon return to the UAE the people who know me the best had made bets on who would come back from India saying what and the general consensus was that I would be going crazy about how amazing it was and all the people I met, and the others would all have had some sort of issue there (except Guillermo, my roommie for life who would enjoy it no matter what). Ironically, i didn't have such an experience. What usually comes out of my mouth was that it was OK, nothing more nothing less.

I would still like to see more of the country, but I think my malcontent nature towards India stems from my inability to adapt to the culture and the fear I had from the food and grime after getting so terrifyingly sick and knowing that I was missing certain shots and drugs while there. I think if given the chance to go back and see more, stay longer, and adapt it would be a place of wonder. I just know that for now there are certain cultural things that even after having lived with them for 8 months in Dubai I couldn't adapt to but rather lashed out when in India. Maybe my next visit or even this one in hindsight will reveal a lot more about myself than I know at this point :).