Ovi presents Lukas world bike tour: India

Today I’ve got a new update from Lukas who started last July his world bike tour. Where do you think he is right now? Yes, in India, one of our favourite countries because there is so much love for Ovi and Nokia there
I’m sure you will enjoy Lukas’ story more than ever!

-Pino (@haikus)

I can’t believe I’m already in India. 4,5 months ago, after first kilometer pedaled, India seemed to be so far away. Yet here I am, facing one of the most beautiful buildings in the world: Taj Mahal.

Closer look to this jewel of India must wait for another time though. Not just that queuing hundreds of metres in rain is not tempting but also the entrance ticket is 75 times more expensive for foreigners  than for locals (around €13).
The ticket politics don’t surprise me at all. When I biked from Mumbai to Agra through many towns and villages, I’ve seen incredible amount of poverty.

All the things you see in the movies about slums and village schools is reality to millions of people here. It would be wrong to say that these penniless souls are starving or unhappy, they just have no money. Also the view from the road is like from safari: goats, sheeps, dogs, donkeys, camels, hogs, monkeys, and of course cows are running free back and forth. So you can imagine the joy and astonishment a blond cyclist brings to their lives when passing their home place. Wavings, – hello, – good morning, – welcome to India – greet him from every corner each time.

Short stop, accidental or deliberate, means at least 20 curious men surrounding this Americano. Or to be precise, his bicycle. Scanning the overwhelming vehicle continues until every inch is analyzed and discussed. Even the Nokia Bicycle Charger Kit is recognized here.

The Americano is allowed to take some photos, maybe invited for some spicy snack and set to go for new adventures in Nepal.

-Lukas