Riko

'So, Jah, you have a girl back home? No? Me also no. Maybe a little travel thing, but they always end following you jah. I mean, I met this girl in Pie (Thailand), and after a couple of days I am thinking that I do no like her so much, so say, you know I must go here to see this person, and she wants to come too. So I say, I must go alone, and I am meeting an old friend, and she comes and turns up. Is bad? I mean, I wish I could say that its not working out and I am no liking it so much, but you know I am not so brave.

'So I gave up my job. Seven years in a company and two for my diploma. Not so old that I cant find another job. I was an electrical engineer. A sparky? No I think these are working in building sites yes? No, I mean I work for a solar power company Schott. I do tests to try and make components cheaper and better. But mostly cheaper.You know, you do tests and write a paper, and maybe they change one little thing. Good, but I think I can work for another company too. Well I didn't give up my job exactly they were trying to make the company smaller, I do not know the word, they ask if people not want to work any more. Redundant? Yes that is right. And I get a good deal!

'Next year I will try and go to Canada. They do this visa and you have to be 35. How old? I am now 34 so I have one more year.

'I think I will head to Thailand at Christmas. I have many friends there. And I get a call from a girl who wants to meet me in Goa. I mean, she is married, but she comes on holiday with me once twice three times a year. I think her husband angry, but no he no want to go to India. Too dirty!

'After here? I go to Deradun, and then only 1 hour to Rishikish. I want to go on a trek to the source of the Ganga. 2 days I think. Everyone say you should do this at the beginning of your trip to India.

'Oh yes, I have been many places. I lived in America for my studies, Santa Monica. I stay Australia in about 1 month, and Tasmania, because I spent all my time on a dive boat in Byron Bay. Thailand many times. I have friends there for many years.

'2004 I was arrested and went to prison for driving a fucking car without a license. I mean I try to give 5000baht baksheesh (about £100) but no way he take me to prison. And I went to court. I was so scared, I did know what would happen. They say I can make a phone call, but who fucking too! And you know what happened? Fine. 40 baht! Ha ha!

'But I have been to visit the Prison in Surat Thani. All these photos of white people saying please bring me fresh fruit. Animals man, they live like fucking animals. No inside space. You have to buy your own food. I do not want to go there. No way. So I always try baksheesh, most of the time it work, and I have been stopped by police many times in Thailand.

'Normally I go to Northern Thailand. Pie, you know? And Laos. Quiet, jah. And cheap. You know they are really fussy, and have, what you call it, a list of people that are important. Chinese and Indians they say must do the road work, we are Thai! Funny to think jah, that they have culture looking down on like us. Farangs now 4th I think.

'Farengs? Means big nosed smelly people. From French I think. But used to describe us all.

'I want to go to South America, everyone say is very beautiful. But no fucking Spanish! I think you need it there.

'I'm from Frankfurt. Well nearby. Darmstadt is where I studied. Small town, no trouble. And football. I watch Eintracht every week. Standing, 50,000 people every week for sure. World cup 206, we got a new stadium. Brighton jh I know. Lots of music. Very famous. But we are getting what we call the English system. Big money, big debt. Is no good really. Destroys the game.

'So I was on this trek, a French girl, a Polish guy, 2 English Girls. Every stop they drink beer. One night I see one vomit in the street. They wanted separate rooms in the middle of the fucking jungle! They stopped and said make a call, they cant go on, they want to be picked up. They didn't even know which country they were in. English girls, they are crazy!

'I travel by local bus. But not more than 6 hours a day. Very cheap, 1 rupee per mile. Maybe I go to that place you tell me about, Raju's? Rivendell? Maybe I get a bike in Kalka and drive to Goa.

'So man, good knowing you jah. We meet again sometime.

A sample of conversation with Riko. In 2 days I don't think he found our more than my name, my job and where I live. A good companion for a couple of days.