A very Indian traffic jam(This entry was started in July, but only finished on 18 september and published. After a few weeks I'll move it and put it where it belongs on the July archive page). 7th July 2004 Traffic jams are scarcely a phenomena unique to India, or indeed worse in India than anywhere else - Bangkok's gridlock always seems far worse than the Delhi traffic which does at least

Chai crawl in Jagatsukh(This entry was started in July, but only finished on 15 sep and published. After a few weeks I'll move it and put it where it belongs on the July archive page). 6th July 2004 A few days after watching the rice planting in Jagatsukh, we printed the pictures off and headed over to deliver them to the women. This is always a barrel of laughs, because addresses are not

Denial, introspection and reflection (or "who ran off with my life?")Sometimes a state of denial makes some of lifes more unpleasant realities easier to deal with, and denying the extremely obvious is how Kirsten and I have spent the last six months. The obvious in this case being an imminent and extensive return to Europe; a prospect both of us find slightly less appealing than a series of

What about the Neoncarrot Web site and blog?Most people seem to do websites when they come back from their travels, perhaps as a way of reliving their experiences and sharing them. It was never intended, but neoncarrot seems to have worked the other way round. We originally concieved it as a way of sharing what we were up to with friends and family while in India, then did nothing with it for two

Crass stupidityThe American national talent for making enemies and alienating would-be friends never ceases to amaze me. This BBC story has details of the humiliation doled out to former Indian defence Minister George Fernandes by the over enthusiastic and xenophobic security goons at Washington airport, who evidently have no clue as to the meaning of 'diplomacy'.

More details on missing Italian backpackerMore details have emerged on missing Italian backpacker Francesco Gatti's last known movements, including clarification that he did indeed stay in Kasol in the Parvati valley on 26th July 2004. After that date, nothing is currently known, but he may well have gone trekking to Melana, as he suggested in one of his last emails. Check out this blog set up by

Missing person, Francesco Gatti - please helpI've been contacted by Eleonora, an Italian girl seeking info on her boyfriend Francesco Gatti who has gone missing in the Parvati or Kulu valleys, possibly at Naggar or Kasol, on or after the 26th June. More specific details including his last known movements and a picture are here. If you have met Francesco recently while in the area, or have any

"Lend us ten grand so I can finish building my God please"The festivals and special religious events for which the Kulu Valley is famous are a bit thin on the ground over the summer. The main village festival season runs from mid March to mid May then all goes quiet over the summer except for a special prayer at the Dhungri temple next week, before starting again in September, when Goshal and a