DAY THREE –BIJAPUR TO BEED

My birthday, and what a memorable one it was: my first ever in India and probably my only one in Solapur. Day three started with a well deserved dose of shopping. Shelley and myself were desperate to check out some of the local markets before leaving Bijapur and pick up some much needed necessities. As girls always do, we managed to get a little carried away and we picked up Chai, flowers for our hair, ear muffs for Gordon and had our foreheads painted with Tikas. So we got nothing we truly required……what to do?!

After departing Bijapur, bound for Beed, we came across our first set of cock-ups.

Cock-up one seemed to set the tone for our journey throughout day three. It is said that things happen in three’s and this was certainly the case today. A flat tyre, and two instances of us running out of fuel- brilliant!

First up: the flat tyre. Arrghh, the joys of road tripping across India- quality roads! So there we were, thankfully at the servo, jacking up the rear end of the rickshaw with a rock and stick. Gordon started fixing the tyre on back to front… Oh dear! Soon enough though, we were back on the road for my birthday bash.

The birthday bash was held in Solapur. It was a joyous occasion- the crew and co-rickstars surprised me with a great big triple decker chocolate cake. Yum! So really, thanks guys! …. Still waiting on my birthday presents though- cheapskates! Solapur- modern town, but still no tanning salons.

After lunch, we were hit with our second cock-up for the journey: anyone got any fuel?? We ran out mid-driving. So, after much discussion in broken English and charades, we decided that it was best that I get to work and find some fuel. I almost picked up a husband for my birthday when I thought it would be an “interesting” idea to hitch a ride with some local male talent to the nearest servo in town. One of our producers, Jon, wasn’t very impressed with my foolish and naïve antics… but it was my birthday and one must understand that it was high time to get on down and boogie in my birthday suit!

Nearly there, and after our final chai stop for the day, we managed to break down yet again. This time it was pitch black and pissing down with rain. FUN! So, Shelley and I stayed in the back wrapped in a fleecy blanket while we got Gordon to work on refueling the empty tank. Lucky for us, we had picked up an extra bottle of fuel after our previous dilemma. Another day, another cock-up, but finally we arrived safely in Beed. Hopefully I’m a little wiser, but if birthday wishes DO come true I won’t have to drive until we near Nepal, and I could get a massage and have some beauty treatments along the way! Happy birthday Barbie!