Dec. 24 : Udaipur and Xmas eve

Saturday, December 24 :: Udaipur, India :: 3km today / 751km total

Upon arrival in Udaipur, at 4 a.m., 4 of us (German guy, 2 Norwegian girls, and me) decided to stick together and head for the same guesthouse. With one tuk-tuk in front and one behind I pedalled into town, all cocky-like in that I hadn't thrown up in the past 24 hours. We pushed through the night at 40km/h, me down on my aerobars, leaning through the tight corners, revelling in the speed and silentness. But the facade fell apart at the first cobblestone-hill... having barely eaten in the past 3 days my legs had no "go" and I shamefully waved the others on as I struggled through the climb. Not eating solid food for 3 days will do that to you, I guess.

In the morning we went to see the City Palace and Museum, as well as to view the Lake Palace, setting of part of the James Bond movie "Octopussy", as no one in Udaipur will let you forget. Udaipur is a beautiful city, the first city in India that I can say that about. There are few cows and many tourists here, as India goes, and tonight there are Christmas parties all over town - including fireworks. Its more like New Year's Eve parties, in effect, but thats ok. We've decided to break the bank a bit tonight - 1000 rupees ($25CDN) for a buffet meal, performances, dancing into the wee hours, with a great view over the lake. I told my Grandmother that I'd use my Xmas money for some good times in India, so here's #1. Should be fun, and my first real meal in 3-4 days.

I'm feeling better, well, pretty much. Every backpacker I've talked to has been sick in India at least once, and most never return to feeling completely 100% (until they go home). Tonight should jumpstart the eating, and I hope to leave by bike the morning after tomorrow (Monday 26th).