Million Dollar Notes and Diesel Throats...

So, a little bit later than originally planned, we were off to Bundi, along with Jules, on an unreserved ticket. The way these work is that you get on the train and basically try your luck in any carriage that has room. Not wanting to spend a huge amount for an hour-long journey to Kota, we slunk into the 'Sleeper' section and took seats next to some kind-looking Indians. They turned out to be very friendly, especially the head of the family. After the inevitable inquisition into our own lives, he explained that they had a farm in Amritsar, and was heading to Mumbai for business. I didn't envy them that journey- 24 hours at LEAST! He helped us our in a big way- the ticket inspector came around and asked us to pay an extra 900 rupees! Cheeky git, hoping to take Westerners for a ride! Our new friend was livid, telling him to "chello, chello" so we didn't have to pay a penny! Just as we were chatting about corrupt officials, he suddenly leans forward, looks left and right in a confidential manner, and murmurs to Jules suspiciously Ýou were in finance- Í need some advice about something'.
   Wondering if we'd accidently sat next to gangsters, we listened to his predicament. Apparently, his friend gave him a 'million dollar note' to 'take care of', i.e. to convert into Indian rupees on the sly without the taxman finding out. This all sounded a little unbelievable...until he actually produced the note. We all stared at it open-mouthed, amazed that this note was in front of us, along with a "certificate of authenticity'". Sadly informing our new friend that we did not have 25 million rupees to hand, he put it away, leaving countless questions lingering in the air. Before we could ask them, he bought us all a chai- and I know I've said this in every blog entry, but this was ACTUALLY one of the best I've had!

    Before we knew it, we'd arrived in Kota, where we were going to catch the bus to Bundi. So we said goodbye to our new Godfather friend, and the opportunity to ever see a million dollar note again....
   Leaving a crowd of disappointed rickshaw-wallahs behind us, we quickly headed to the bus station- and then just as quickly on the Bundi bus itself, as it was leaving just as we were arriving. A sea of faces greeted us as we hauled ourselves onto the small bus, and no empty seats- except the ones in the bus "cockpit" next to the driver. Faced with a choice between shaky legs from standing the whole way and diesel fumes from the cockpit seats, we of course chose the latter, covering our noses and mouths for the whole journey. Despite the continual fear of our bags melting and passing out, it was actually an interesting insight into the front of a local bus- like the way the gear-stick throbbed ominously like a ticking bomb when it was in neutral- and how some of the dials seemed to be missing. Probably not the best idea if we plan to take a bus again, but never mind...some things are better left unknown...
   Anyway, we eventually arrived in Bundi- alive- where we had the first pleasant journey of the day into the truly picturesque village, surrounded by green hills and winding around a serene lake. We only got to spend a few hours there before we had to catch the train to Udaipur. However, we spent these wisely, sipping beers by the lakeside with Jules and Viswas, an Indian guy we'd met back in Sawai Madhopur. In our infinite wisdom, we'd chosen another stupid-o-clock train- 2am- so the three of us- Viswas decided to come too- caught a rickshaw at 10pm and waited in the station for 4 hours, with all the bugs to keep us company. Fun times. Eventually the train rocked up, and we were on the way to Udaipur, apparently India's most 'romantic' city...