Dares, Polls, And India

Posted by Dave on 06 May 2008.

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Dares

I know it has been awhile since I completed a dare, however they are always in the back of my mind. To recap what is outstanding:

For $100, my friend Bob wants me to get a photo with a topless girl.
For $50, get my photo taken with a ladyboy in Thailand.
For $30, Tim wants me to eat a scorpion.
For $25, Dan wants me to ride a motorcycle in an obscene amount of traffic.
For $200, my brother Jon wants me to get a tattoo.

It’s quite possible that I can make a run at all of these once I arrive in Thailand come June! Keep ‘em coming. Every time I talk about the dares, the eyes of other backpackers seem to light up. By far, the most discussed (and profitable) dare has been the one about the woman’s arm around my shoulder.
Polls

Thank you to everyone who votes in the polls I set up in the right sidebar. I look at the results every few days to see what you think I should be doing.

In regard to the activity I should do after trekking, you now know I went with paragliding and rafting. By the time I got back to Kathmandu, base of Everest scenic flights, I was ready to stop big expenditures on activities and focus on local sights and souvenir-buying. Besides, I got a great view of Everest from my flight to Nepal!

As for your desire to see me head to India via bus, I know it’d be an adventure, however based on the stories I’ve heard, I’m taking a plane. No need to spend 2 days in transit and risk theft, vomiting, and bladder discomfort when I can get a 1-hour flight for about $150.

India

Once I get a new 3-month visa for India in Kathmandu, I’ll immediately fly to Varanasi, India. A guy who just came from there said it was running about 105 degrees a day, so I expect to hang around just long enough to tour the ghats (to satisfy my morbid curiosity about public cremations) and take a cruise on the Ganges.

From Varanasi, I intend to take a train west to Agrah to see the Taj Mahal, before heading north to Delhi for a few days. From Delhi, I’ll head further north to Rishikesh, ground zero for yoga and meditation in India (so I hear). Perhaps I’ll join an ashram for a few days and try to learn some new yoga poses. And then it is up to Dharamsala, and the slightly higher McLeod Ganj, which is home to the Tibetan government in exile and His Holiness The Dalai Lama. Depending on how I’m feeling, the weather, and money, I may push further north to Manali. And if I’m really up for an adventure, bus it up to Leh (elev. 3,500 meters / 11,500 feet) near the Indian Himalaya!

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This post was written by:

Dave - who has written 997 posts on Go Backpacking.

Dave Lee (Editor-in-Chief) blogged his way around the world from 2007-2009, and then started Travel Blog Success to teach others how to do the same. When not writing, he can be found salsa dancing, and lamenting his untimely departure from Medellin. Follow him on Twitter @rtwdave

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Liz

Any plans to update your financials? Just curious how much Nepal has set you back.

liz

Dave

Yes, I just updated Nepal for the first 5 weeks, however with 12 nights of accommodation and 13 days worth of food wrapped up in all-inclusive trekking and rafting fees, the numbers will be skewed. Then there is the really high cost of my souvenir thangka painting and new digital camera to further throw it all askew.

I hope this info still proves to be helpful to those planning trips, as I know it's one of my most popular links for visitors to click.

At any rate, I averaged about $42/day through the first 5 weeks in Nepal. It's my lowest average for a country to-date. Hopefully to be bettered by India starting next week. ;)

PS - Many people are living far more cheaply per day here than me, either because they share a room with a friend/partner, or they make a greater effort to eat more cheaply!

charlie

dude, you can make substantial money from these dares. $50 for a photo with a ladyboy? shit, I'd do that for $5. the topless photo dare is a badass idea.

Dave

Yep, the more money I spend over the months, the more I better start taking advantage of those generous dares!

crambox

So far your gut has told you the smart things to do. I think, so don't go second guessing yourself this late in the game. 159 days I for one haven't traveled that long(excluding military)so keep up the smart choices :wink:

Nomadic Matt

You'll have no problem with the ladyboy one. They are all over Thailand. Just be careful. Some of the better ones are very convincing. I lived in Thailand for a year so if you want any travel advice, I'd be more than willing to help

Dave

Thanks Matt....I already know to expect hot and rainy weather since I'll be there during the monsoon season. :/

OurExplorer

Photo with a ladyboy in Thailand might not be a bad choice. Hehe.

Karl (from Dewey)

did you ever get your laptop charger issue taken care of? If not, are you still lugging your laptop around?

Dave

Nope, I'm going to try and get a new adapter in Delhi. I'm still carrying the laptop around, but since I haven't moved around much in the past month, it hasn't weighed too heavily on my mind or shoulders.

Stefan

Glad to hear that your coming along well.

Heres a new dare for $20...take a ride on the roof of a train in India.

Any plans for South India?

Dave

As if riding on the roof of a Nepali bus down a mountain wasn't enough! Nope, no plans for south India given the heat and oncoming monsoon. I think I'll have my hands full with the north.

Michele

$30 is NOT enough to eat a scorpion... that should be $200 and then you could skip the tattoo... you may get more than you bargained for getting a tattoo over there...

Dave

Yea, I saw my first medium-sized scorpion running around in the sand at our 2nd campsite on the rafting trip. They sure don't look appetizing. I'm in no rush to get a tattoo....but it's tempting!

lissie

You've have a great time in India! The train system is fantastic and don't miss the red fort in Agra: the view to the Taj is awesome! Good luck