Sorry for being MIA awhile. Been in slight funk & wasn't in the mood to write. But I'm back. All's ok. For the most part.

Currently in Amritsar... home of the Sikh's most holy shrine, the Golden Temple. Amazing gold & marble temple in the middle of a lake. And very welcoming. Most Muslim mosques really don't appreciate foreigners being there. Hindu temples are slightly more tolerant. But the Sikhs... they seem really happy having foreigners around. Almost too happy... first time I went, about 30 mothers surrounded me wanting me to kiss their kids. Very strange! Now know how politicians feel~

Been here 9 days now. But not by choice. Next heading to Jammu, Kashmir where there's not much to do; only expecting to be there a day or two. But the next spot... Srinagar... has got me excited... & unfortunately, there's been protests, riots, curfews & everything’s been closed the past 6 days. So been waiting for things to calm down.

But can't handle Amritsar anymore. So gonna go ahead to Jammu & keep waiting for Srinagar to calm down. Amritsar's a really nice town. Lots of neat bazaars inside the old walled city & all the modern conveniences on the new side of town. But it's the men... they're jerks! They've got an unusual approach to get a woman's attention -- try to kill her. Seriously! Any place I walk, some ass tries to run me over! Truck, car, motorcycle, bicycle & pedestrians... all aim right for me.

At least the pedestrians, motorcyclists & bicyclists I've a good chance of hurting. And I do! Getting a wicked slap, almost kicked a few guys off their bike & have even thrown a punch to a few bodies for the first time in my life. And the ones that grab my ass... they get the works!

And sure it's all about the blonde factor. Been hanging out with a fun, model looking, twenty-something Swedish girl... who, with her red hair, doesn't have half the problems I do.

Really gotta get out of here before the rage completely takes over!