Guestbook - Register here and say hello!

Hi, my name is Billy. I really like your website. I am learning a lot about India and the other places that you have gone. What language do they speak there? Do you think you could send me pictures from India to show my class? Why did you go to India? What is your purpose in being there? Just so you know I am Chelsea Clinton's boyfriend.

Thanks for the compliment. Let me see if I can answer some of your questions.

In India they speak over a hundred languages. People speak different languages in different locations. A lot of people speak Hindi and some speak English.

You can download pictures from my website if you wish. Go to the 'gallery' section. If you want pictures of famous places in India try searching the 'Images' section of Google or try the encyclopedia.

I chose India because I became very interested in it. It seemed to be a place that was a lot different from the U.S. Also I have a lot of friends in the U.S. from India and I became more interested after talking to them. I also wanted to go travel somewhere on the other side of the world.

My purpose in going to India is to travel around and see new places and meet new people. It is a chance to have an adventure and to have some fun.

Say hello to Chelsea for me. I didn't know she had a boyfriend or that he is a student.

Mark

Catching up on your travels this Sunday morning. Take care and happy trails!

Glad I gave you something to do on Sunday morning, Bruizer!

Mark

You've been in India 3 months today! Has it felt that long? Congrats!

-Maria

That crossed my mind briefly on Friday. I can and I can't! Just saw the Taj Mahal yesterday and it was remarkable. I will get some pictures up soon when I reach some place cool, like the Himalayas. (It was 47C here yesterday: 117F!)

Mark

Hi Mark,
I am sure you had a memorable B'day celebration. Your travel notes make interesting reading and I have learnt much more about India than I have ever done in school.The pics are great too!.
Love,
Syamala

Hi Syamala!

It's been really gratifying seeing that you have been checking into my site often. I still think of my India travels as being started off by your gracious hospitality and delicious meals in Mumbai. I'm glad that you have found my posts and pics interesting.

I have to formulate the next part of my travels. I hope to see you again!

Mark

Jullay!

the article and your photos on Ladakh was good. I am a Ladakhi but staying far off from Leh. Apart from the weather/rains please share your other thoughts & experiences about Ladakh, its people, adn ofcourse if you have tried any local cuisine.
Rigzin

Jullay!

Yes, I haven't given Ladakh the attention it deserves. It is a completely unique place.

Except for two day trips to visit gompas, I have confined myself to Leh, partly because of the weather. But the Ladakhi whom I have met in town and who run my guesthouse, are extremely friendly and smiling people and it has been a pleasure to be around them.

I have had a Ladakhi soup and butter tea, both of which were very good. (I don't have the name of the soup right now.)

Rigzin, which town are you in? Perhaps I'll be exploring that part of Ladakh.

Mark

Hello Mark how are you doing. I can't believe you have been over there for what 8 months. WOW! What a fun trip. I love your pictures Hope you are having a great time and a safe time. When are you planing on coming home. Or are you moving??? HAHA Well I just got your address here so I will keep up with your travels now. Have fun and be safe.

Mike Eppink

Congratulations on your engagement! I can't believe you're getting married before me. Or maybe I can. Or maybe I'll be married when I return! I can see my mother collapsing on the floor right now.

Send me an email with your email address.

Mark

hi
ur writin has evolved so much ...i guess thats an eventuality one cant really escape....when one sees so much of the world and its people and of oneself.....all the best....happy travellin

Thank you Malvika, that's a very nice comment. My biggest problem still is taking the time to write. I have so many photos and stories but still I must take the time to push them onto the internet.....

Happy Valentine's Day; I really enjoyed my time in Bangalore. Even though I am in Thailand, I am always thinking about my time in India, especially Spiti Valley in the Himalaya!

I'm sure your writing is still gracing the newspapers of Bangalore....

Godspeed,

Mark

Hi there,
Great site - as a fellow traveller I was especially interested in reading about the equipment you took on the road. How did you find the Eagle Creek Subcontinental pack? It's carry-on size, right? I've seen it recommended countless times but I'm struggling to get hold of it on this side of the Pond...

Anyway, thanks for the vicarious travel experience ;D I'll be on the road again myself in August if all goes to plan...

Happy travels,
Steve

Steve:

From what I can tell the Eagle Creek Subcontinental Journey has been closed out. I got one of the last ones at an Appalachian Outdoors in January of 2006 in Northern Virginia. The staff told me that the new models were coming in, so I got an old model at a discount.

The new models had a more lightweight fabric, although it appeared to be strong. But apparently they gave it a different name. I took a guess that the new model is called the Eagle Creek Meridian 55L, but I'm not sure, as I have only seen the writeup on Amazon. But it looks as if that is the replacement.

If you have your heart set on the Subcontinental Journey, a google search, http://www.google.com.ph/search?hl=tl&q=%22eagle+creek%22+%22subcontinental+journey%22&btnG=Hanapin+sa+Google&meta=, will turn up some stores, but I think even in the U.S. most of these will end up empty.

The newer model is probably just as good or better. I have seen some similar travelpacks while traveling but I have not looked at them too closely.

The pack is very borderline as carry-on luggage. Actually, i think it is too large. I usually check it in. It may fit in the some larger overhead bins but probably not all. I have not compared it to the measurements in the airport for carry-on but I think it's a little bit too wide, a little bit too thick, and a little bit too long. Besides, I always have scissors or something I cannot bring on the plane so I just check it. Andy Graham of hobotraveler.com is always trying to sort out the different luggage allowances all over the world.

Your website looks interesting. Can you post a link back to this site?

Hopes this helps.

Mark

Hi Mark,
So finally you're back in the US. Seems you've had a great time in south east asia as well.
Let me know whenever you are here in the DC area. Maybe we could catch up for a beer!
Best,
Sohit

Great to hear from you! Hope things are going well for you in the U.S. I am roaming around the East Coast so hopefully we'll hook up soon.

Mark

itz a nic site i love indya

Don't Worry, Be Happy! =)

Don't Worry, Be Happy! =)

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