Getting There
Getting to a new city is always tough on our relationship. We are tired, hungry and our backpacks feel very heavy. But the hardest part of the day comes when it's time to pick out a guesthouse. I can sleep anywhere as long as it's cheap (in Cambodia, we're paying less then $10 a night). If there are no visible roaches, I could care less. Sarah acts as though she's picking out her dream home.
What usually happens is we pull up to our first choice which Sarah has researched extensively in the guidebook and online. We get out of the rickshaw, put our bags back on, walk up a narrow flight of stairs to the place and take of our sandals while we smile at an old woman who speaks no English. This may seem like nothing, bit I assure you it's very tricky. Just getting the backpacks on and off is a real chore. Sarah usually lies down on top of her bag, puts her arms through and then has me pull her up on her feet. Plus, walking up stairs borders on dangerous. We're so off balance wearing those big bags that the slightest breeze could send us crashing down. Then of course the shoes. Southeast Asia has a no-shoes policy, so anytime we walk into a building I have to undo my sandal straps, hop on one leg and try to kick them someplace where I can only hope they won't be stolen.
Once we're in the place, it's always the same. Sarah doesn't like it. The problem is she's built up an image in her mind that the place is the Four Seasons, so anything else is a letdown. Usually we bicker over staying versus not staying. I don't want to have to do the no-shoes dance at another place and she wants a room with a balcony. It's always fun to have an argument with her in front of anyone who can't understand what we're saying. The old women showing us the room usually just smiles and stares at the floor while we fight.
I always cave in and we go to the next place, where we repeat the fun of bags on, bags off, shoes on, shoes off. Most times, the second place works out which I suspect is only because she doesn't want to hear me complain anymore.
-Brendan
Comments
Sounds lika alot of trouble.I think I would just get some flip flops if I was you it would be much easier,or just let Sarah go in and get the room and you wait outside since she never likes the first place.
I agree, you could just stand at the top of the stairs and wait for her...
now I live in SEA, and I'v never encountered a hotel which you HAVE to take off your shoes/slippers..hmm..
chx,
Apparently you have never been to Asia.
You will soon find out that being married, to any woman, means that 'She is always right', no matter what the reason. Even if she is totally in the wrong, she is right. Don't fight it, just accept it. "Yes Dear" will be your best defense.
Marshall, FYI. I live in Asia ;)
Geez, you two sound like an old married couple :)
If there are no visible roaches, lol wish i could find a place like that in New York, id pay a lot more then 10 :P i love reading your blog keep up the uberness.
hey you guys sound like you're having a whale of a time. I do hope your visit to India is great. I live in India and my husband and I often go for impromptu trips in and around places in India. The routine is suprisingly similar: wife (i.e. me) does all research, reads guide book, online travel reviews, haggles for rates. Hubby - is ok with any room, gets antsy while I haggle and refuses to ask for directions even if we're lost acres of country with just one shepherd (only sign of humanity spotted in 1 hour) in the distance.
Hope you're carrying thick skin (to fight mosquitoes) and an open mind (to absorb very diverse philosophies happily co-existing) to enjoy India.
Hubby and I lived in Delhi post marriage and recently moved to Bangalore.
Cheerio!
Shonalie
Roaches....gosh they're so scary.... btw there's nothing wrong in paying the right price for the right thing. Y sleep wid roaches wen a lil more research will provide u a safe ,tension-free night.
Cheers!
