i admit i was a bit nervous about travelling again. I've been settled in Mumbai for so long that it was hard to pull out my backpack and cram almost no clothes into it (and still the damn thing is unbearably heavy! are there rocks sewn into the lining?!)

but you know, it's so much easier this time! a mouse ran around my bag, over my shoes, and then into the shadows by my feet in the train last night and i swear i didn't bat an eyelash.

I didn't even attempt my usual trick of trying not to pee for the 15 hour train journey. As soon as i needed to go, i went. And apparently i now have no qualms about peeing into a hole in the floor of the train... that opens directly onto the track (which explains that horrific smell by every railroad in the country... not prime real estate).

these are accomplishments, people! I sometimes have these moments where i just impress the fuck out of myself.

*

Today i trekked out to prehistoric cave paintings. Vibrant colours - i can't believe how well preserved they were! Figures hunting and dancing... it was so hard and yet easy to believe that people were here painting these things thousands (thousands!) of years ago.

and now they're gone, and this is all they've left to show they existed.

it was humbling beyond words.

6:25 a.m. - 2004-09-28