Day 4 - Shit outta Lucknow

11:30
I wake naturally, and without even the merest hint of grogginess, around 09:30, and declare it a successful sleep. I ping Manas, and we arrange to meet at his place early this afternoon. I’m peckish, so arrange for some breakfast to be brought to my room. It’s apparently included in the room price. I don’t think there’s a dining area, so in-room eating appears to be the best and only bet. I’m restored by my masala omelette, and masala chai. I use the time to brush up on my Hindi. There is one, and only one phrase I’ve ever learnt:

भाड़ में जाओ। नहीं, मुझे यह नहीं चाहिए।

Loosely translated, this means, “Fuck off, no - I don’t want it,” and is my go to when being pestered by tuk-tuk drivers, beggars, peddlars and the like. If you want to play along at home, the Latin alphabet version is:

Bhaad mein jao. Nahin - mujhe yah nahin chaahie.

If you want something shorter and snappier then I heartily recommend a vigorous, “Bhaad mein jao!” accompanied by a quick wave of the hand. Works wonders.

Uh-oh. Tummy rumblings.

16:45
Well isn’t this just the bee’s knees. Ritesh and Apurva joked last night, asking whether my stomach would be upset after my visit to Al-Zaiqa. I’m not sure if it’s that, or the effects of international travel, or a somewhat boozy day yesterday - or a combo of all three. Whatever - it’s caused me to need to cancel today’s plans. I tell Manas that I’ll ping him later if I’m feeling up to heading out for some food. Around 12:30, I put my head back down for more sleep, and have about another two hours. Feels like a properly deep sleep as well. I have a dream during this sleep, that I’m heading to the airport, but haven’t packed any clothes in my suitcase, so have to take a cab back to my house to get some, and end up missing my flight. Deeply, DEEPLY disturbing.

I reconcile myself to a day of resting, movie watching dozing, and rehydration sachets. Hopefully (fingers crossed, touch cloth etc etc) this will end up being my one upset stomach incident of my trip. I’ll drink (blackcurrant and chalk flavour rehydration sachets) to that.

21:30
Around 18:00, I decide I’m up to a foray out to get some very plain food. The street outside the hotel is still crazy busy, and noisy. In the dark, the risk of getting mown down is significantly higher. I take it relatively in my stride.

About 5 minutes walk from my hotel is Central, a café/restaurant type place that’s well reviewed. I mean - I’m only here for rice, but still - it’s nice to know other people have enjoyed eating there. It’s chilly out - around 11C. I’m actually wearing my hoodie, and beginning to wonder if I shouldn’t have packed a second. I’ve got a green microfibre fleece type thing, intended for the early starts in tiger country, but may have to bust it out in Agra. I’m literally the only person in the café. They had to turn the lights on (and doubtless, fire up the stove) to accommodate me. I can imagine they were more than a little disappointed at the meagre nature of my order. Anyways, my steamed rice, tandoor roti and mineral water dinner is as exciting as it sounds. But it hits my stomach, and doesn’t upset things too much. There are a couple of twinges and cramps, but back at my room, there’s no urgency for the toilet. This is good news.

I’m disappointed not to have been able to visit Manas’ Dad’s village today. Would have been a fab experience. I’m minded though that on such a long trip to India, I should expect to lose a few days here and there to a dodgy tum. I’ll do everything I can to keep the number to a minimum… Moving day tomorrow. Agra awaits!Baca lagi