There’s nothing like India for an adventure. I don’t know what it is about this country, but I quite often find myself doing things that I would never do at home. I chase elephants down the road, and happily allow myself to be draped in huge snakes — not just once, but on multiple occasions.
On Sunday, I’ll be departing on an eight day trip to Spiti, in remote northern India. The region of Spiti is located over 14,000 feet (4,300 metres) above sea level. Yaks roam freely there. I’ll be staying in someone’s home in a village, and participating in all sorts of local activities such as farming and animal herding.
I’m feeling both exited and daunted about going there. I’ve never been to an extremely high altitude area before, and have no idea how my body will deal with it. I’ll be very much out of my comfort zone.
However, I dare say that the adventure will be good preparation for what’s in store for me after I arrive back in Mumbai. I’m also likely to find it easy in comparison to this other challenge that awaits.
I wonder if India has finally sent me insane. Why? Because, I’ve accepted an invitation to race an auto rickshaw from one side of the country to the other. This 14 day odyssey, better known as the 2009 Mumbai XPress Rickshaw Rampage, starts in Chennai on July 31 and ends in Mumbai on August 13.
Yes, I will be driving an auto rickshaw from Chennai to Mumbai! Fortunately, my husband is as mental as I am, and will accompany me.
I have no idea how I’ll cope. I’ve already started cringing every time I hear an auto rickshaw (not to mention, I was in one that broke down the other day!). It’s such an hilarious opportunity, I can’t say no to it though.
Related Posts:
- Driving an Auto Rickshaw Across India
- Reflecting on 2009
- The Autorickshaw Driver Who Became a Businessman
- Monsoon Rain in Mumbai
- A Random Saturday Night in Mumbai Driving a Rickshaw
- Hindi for Taxis & Auto Rickshaws
- Adventure to Spiti India
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
Loading ...
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
Enjoy the adventures. Stay safe. BTW have you got a license to drive a rickshaw??
*looks at the snakes**shudders*
IMAO… as an Indian its a common thing… but I guess with every new culture, you experience their own weirdities…LOL.. you are quite a spirit…that huge python…phewww…while in India, do take good care of yourself
PGB — any ordinary two or four wheeler license will apparently do!
I love the pictures!
Wow, what incredible adventures you are about to have. I can’t wait to hear all about it! How cool.
Make sure you take 24-36 hours to acclimatise in Lahaul-Spiti. Otherwise, you can get serious altitude sickness and that ain’t pretty.
Yeah, I’m a bit concerned about altitude sickness. I’ve got one day in Manali, then two days in Kaza, before going on to Langza. I hope this will be okay!
Sharell- Oh I get it … it is not for commercial use … anyways when in Himachal be careful …. you know with the monsoon season and all.
I know for a fact that women there are attractive.
Wow..Sharell…..
Thats pretty amazing! Hope u have a rocking time.
Stay safe.
i yearn for that kind of adventure like this auto-rickshaw race and staying in the mountains.
But i guess some people have all the luck while i dont.
PGB:” I know for a fact that women there are attractive.”
Good.
Sharell will have good competition….
i wanna know, is this tour of Lahaul-Spiti part of your job as a travel writer????
Beauty and the Beast!
When I tried holding one in Dehradun during a school trip, it was just half the size of what you are holding. As a 10th standard kid, it felt too heavy for me that time
At high altitudes, Disprin tablets help to thin the blood and protects from altitude sickness. Also, open the car windows every half hour for 2 minutes to equalize pressure / delay altitude sickness–headaches mostly. (Recommended by a friend in Indian Navy. Keeps traveling to all kinds of difficult terrain)
Enjoy the trip and stay safe.
All competition is more than welcome! I was so happy when my attractive blonde cousin came to visit me last year, but the damn men kept staring at me and not her.
IP — yes, it is. So is the rickshaw race.
Virender — it was so unbelievably heavy!
The travel tips are greatly appreciated. I really need them.
Hey Sharell
You know my dream job is anchoring/hosting a Travel Show.
Just like Ian Wright of the Lonely Planet fame.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Wright_(traveller)
i also love the job of Anthony Bourdain. His show “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” in Discovery Travel & Living combines travel with great food.
Love it.
Anyways, try to BLOG while on the trip. Hoping to READ YOUR ADVENTURES.
“I was so happy when my attractive blonde cousin came to visit me last year, but the damn men kept staring at me and not her.”
Really. Thats cool.
By the way , is your “attractive blonde cousin” single??
What a thrilling life you lead. Enjoy every bit of it and good luck in the race!
You have TOTALLY lost your mind.
Gone baby!
SNAKES???? Seriously? Don’t even think your ever gonna get me to do that stuff when I get there. Don’t even contemplate it.
Ewwwwwwwwww Sharell! LOL
You are so pretty Sharell! Do you get harassed a lot there or are you usually able to roam without too much male attention? This is a serious question! lol
IP — and don’t forget those two Indian guys who eat their way around India! I can’t remember who they are, but they’re on the King of Good Times channel (is it NDTV??). Oh, and sorry to disappoint you but my cousin is very much taken. And by a younger man too!
MDG — that’s so much for the compliment. I very rarely get harassed in a bad way. People constantly stare rather than approach, maybe because I am quite tall. It’s usually the more upper class ones that do make dumb approaches. For example, the guy shopping in Hypercity who asked me about the quality of the vegetables. Then, he told me he didn’t actually care about the vegetables but wanted to go on a date with me.
Anyway, thanks everyone for your good wishes about my upcoming trips!
Unfortunately, I’ve lost most of my enthusiasm for going because I found out last night that my grandma passed away. Have to just be strong and get on with it though. 
My condolences.
Thank you so much PGB. It’s appreciated.
Condolences Sharell. Also very happy to know abt ur rickshaw race..sounds terrific!
“”I found out last night that my grandma passed away. Have to just be strong and get on with it though.
“”
Very sorry to hear that Sharell. My condolences to you.
That sort of news scares me.
Was the guy in Hypercity cute? Send him my way!
Though I’m probably too short for him.
I can see people becoming mesmerized by your height and stature. You probably remind them of a goddess like Parvati or someone.
Move over Mark Webber make room an that podium for Sharell!!!!!
Have fun with that Yaks but what ever you do dont eat Yak cheese. its the worst!
Have a great trip……..Spiti is one of the most beautiful spots in Northern India……. The rickshaw Rampage…….. Whoa !!! Thats gonna be something and as long as your hubby is by your side am sure your gonna have a blast !!!
Enjoy yourself and take loads of pics and notes for us
Hi Sharell,
As an Indian I think i’ve done far less crazy things than you have ! Good to see u having some much fun. I’ll hope to be there to cheer you at the start of the rickshaw challenge !
My heartfelt condolences on your loss.
Woww!! Thats cool
Is that black snake venomous ?
Hey Sharell,
Sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother sooo sad! Even more so when you are so far from home. Hope you feel better soon.
Wow this rickshaw challenge is really brave of you, maybe you should practice now, get used to all those bumps..:) Can’t wait to hear how it went! Kirsty x
Always remember to drive on the wrong side of the road: it’s safer!
Way to go!! Hope you guys win!! Love your blog!
Seeing your picture (above), I can understand why.
Sad to hear that your grandma passed away. May she rest in peace!
Sharell, did you get to drive an autorickshaw? I run an NGO in Delhi and we are the only voice of auto drivers and passengers here. I probably know more about autorickshaw sector than anyone in the country, and hope to partner with Aravind someday to organize a race from Delhi to some place crazy.
When is your cousin visiting again? I will make up for the attention deficit she must have incurred during last trip.
Hi Rakesh, I sure did! Photos are here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=97030&id=94103103269&l=ca4c0999f7
Surely, you can’t know more about autos than Aravind! He is fanatical.
Unfortunately for you, my cousin has no plans to return for a while. She’s got herself a man back home!! (And will probably bring him with her if she does come. He loves India too and is a cricket player!).
Hi Sharell,
I’m sorry to rain on your parade, but perhaps you were not aware. The Indian rock python (the large snake you were photographed with) is a protected species and what those snake men were doing is illegal and a punishable offense. You should report them to the forest department or local animal welfare organisation or SPCA. At the very least you should not encourage them by taking photographs and I cannot doubt that some money exchanged hands here. I am aware that a lot of Indians wouldn’t care about such regulations nor about the welfare of wild animals, but you come across as an intelligent and sensitive person and I hope you may be sensitive enough to their welfare to appreciate being given this information.
best regards/// Arjun A R
Hi Arjun, I definitely wasn’t aware. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. From memory, I did pay them around 100 rupees (although they asked me for 1,000!). Next time, I’ll know better. (I still have much to learn about India!).
No matter what you do in India, I am sure you are having the time of your life especially during festivals like Diwali.
For sure!