Careful selection of your internet cafe

Guten mornin, (a little german? where did that come from?)

sitting here in the sunshine... at my new favourite internet "cafe". The choosing of a GOOD internet cafe is full of nuances that at first might not be obvious. There are so many factors involved in the choosing: Speed, of course, is pretty high on the priority list.

There is this place called Red Chilis, its actually a rafting and trekking expedition office with a few computers set up. It is clean, modern and with the second best view in the whole neighborhood (barring my favourite upscale hotel decktop restaurant's view: the prices are a rip off but the food and view are next to none).

So Red Chilis has also, not only this killer view overlooking the Ganga, tons of windows and a balcony, but also a bathroom, and not just any bathroom, but a bathroom that is cleaned daily, that doesn't smell, that has a western style toilet (not always a plus, but sometimes it is) and SOAP, and on a lucky day... toilet paper. So one would think that this would be the best place to go for internet. The staff are friendly and professional too and it is an overall groovy good place. Except for one thing: they haven't updated their internet in at least two years and sometimes it can be as slow as molasses in the Himalayas, if you know what i mean. If you take your laptop and go for wi-fi, sometimes it drops your service, so you spend a little extra time and money getting them to reconnect you to wireless for you (they don't give you the passwords, but rather, you give them your laptop and they hook you up). when the internet is slow, you pay more for less, cause they charge by 20minute blocks, at a rate of about 40cents an hour.

So there are other factors, i've listed a few aready: bathroom accessibility (cause sometimes you are online for an hour or more, drinking water or chai the whole time), proximity to your ashram or guesthouse is a big factor, comfortability of the chairs.... some places have these metal chairs that freeze your butt off if you don't bring a shawl to sit on. Some places have sun, some are cold as ice. But its always a trade off. Some places play amazing music, or they let you play your own amazing music. Some have quite a "scene" going on... pool tables (the place with the pool tables and the view and the groovy music... their internet NEVER works when i go there, so i stopped going there).

Sometimes you have to sacrifice proximity for warmth, or speed for a view. .... and this all depends on your mood, of course. Another factor i haven't yet mentioned is the amicability of the staff. Some places the staff is downright surly and will overcharge you the moment you stop paying attention (your fault in the end, for letting your guard down and being an idiot. i call this one "tourist tax".) The best places for staff are inevitably places that do other business there in addition to internet, namely, the rafting, guiding, trekking type places. They are filled with these young, sharp, outdoorsy, easygoing, and laid back type people who are not so chuffed about the odd rupee for the odd minute here and there, cause they got bigger fish to fry running their tours and stuff.

So this morning, i sit at my new favourite place. Favourite because it is one of the aformentioned guiding/rafting expedition type places, its not far away from my place, and its not near, its rather centrally located. I like it because in the morning there is this one computer station near the window where the sun shines in, and although it lacks the view of red chili, the speed is fast, the computers are not total dinosaurs and the staff are friendly, laid back, the vibe is good, unpretentious, and there is a bathroom nearby, though not IN the actual place. Oh and also, the chairs are padded, soft and warm, and they've never tried to overcharge me here.

And incidentally, it is right next door to the rooftop restaurant we like so much (just had dinner with mom there last night and took some pictures, i'll try to post them soon to the blog , they are the same pictures she is probably posting on her blog).

Funnily enough, this computer is set to b.c. time. so its 8:49pm on tuesday night for you guys, and about....10:20am the next day for me.

So i am sitting here, in the sunshine, drinking some chai (sent over from next door, service in india is great,.... sometimes, that is, when it's not being atrocious) and catching up on some emails and stuff.

Nights are coooooooollllldddd! We just got issued our winter blankets at the ashram, so last night was the first night that i was truly and totally cozy while i slept. felt so good to be sealed under those heavy blankets.

now i am dreaming..... GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAA!!!! dreaming about Goa. In three weeks we will be in Goa, in the south. Warm beaches, palm trees... the works. Its 30 degrees there right now. I can hear her calling my name. I can see the umbrellas in my pineapple drink and the shellfish in my coconut curries. yum.

obsessed with food? no, not me!

alright, off to the loo...
Time for an adventure....

love and lots of kisses
ang