Entries about class

We are starting to get quite the reputation as a traveling trio. We are constantly buzzing around at all times of the day. Busy going on excursions, or leading ourselves around town, to find new restaurants or to just explore. The three of us work well together too, always taking initiative and being open minded and flexible. Super chill and fun lovin' if you will.

Yesterday after the tour of the palace, we arranged to do a sunrise walk with Indu (INR 350 each, I am waiting for Indu to send me his contact info as he was terrific). We met him at 615 and we set off to watch the sunrise over the countryside. It was a brisk morning however- we were even able to see our breath... Nothing like home however!!

Indu- is a birdwatcher. He has identified over 70 types of birds in and around Orchha, so needless to say, on a morning walk he was busy spotting everything from owls to vultures to parakeets and kingfishers. We were walking through fields of mustard and wheat, just peacefully enjoying a morning walk. We had chai and biscuits on the banks of the Betwa River, which runs south to north through India. Indu tells us stories of how they spend time on the banks of the river in the hot summer heat, eating and enjoying beer as it is too hot to do much else (at 45C I would have to agree).

Walking through the fields

Chai on the Betwa

As expected- we needed some breakfast after our walk and we headed straight back to Ram Raja. The breakfast assortment was good, but the pancakes were the item that stood out because of the delicacies of the ingredients... peanut butter and nutella!! Ging was super pumped for the PB. We spotted G6 half way through breakfast eating by himself- apparently he had ordered multiple kinds of pancakes (nutella and peanut butter!!) and decided that he would join us after he had enjoyed a gluttonous morning feast.

This afternoon, we went to Indu's home to learn from his wife how to cook several Indian dishes: masala chai (!!!!!), aubergine curry, potato and pea curry, raita, chutney, spinach and potato curry, veg biryani and chapati. We sat patiently on the floor as this lovely young mother recited from memory, the full recipes for each dish as she casually made them in front of us over a propane stove. Well worth the INR500 to learn authentic recipes and enjoy another Indian lunch.

Cooking up a storm

The final product

We're on the train now- headed to Agra... After a few poolside Kingfisher's before departing, we're all in very good spirits for this short ride to our next stop. We have been playing cards on every train ride- mainly "Asshole." Chewy's a cheat, the Norwegian Boy is a sneaky one and Skinny likes to talk smack whether he's winning or losing. Just for those who care- we are always winning.

Orchha was a little slice of slow quiet heaven in India after being in Varanasi. I could have had a few more by the pool this afternoon and been quite alright with that...

Eating our way around,
L, B & the Ging

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