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Please Don't Ask For Extra Glasses: Your Camels Are Here Book 2—Even more elephant frenzy, parathas, temples, palaces, camels, and the kindness of Indian strangers
Guess what India? We're baaack! After our travel adventures the year before in which none of us technically died—although there were times it seemed like an attractive option—my two long-suffering travel companions, Jaya and Janine, actually agreed to another India trip. This time, we chose Rajasthan as a destination, mostly in hopes it would be as far as possible from people who might remember us from last year. Join us as we crash a wedding our first night, fall victim to an ancient curse, ride camels across a desert and elephants up a mountain—and eat our way across Rajasthan in the process.
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2021
4 people want to read
About the author
Barb Taub
11 books65 followersBARB TAUB is a humor and urban fantasy author, caffeinated AussieDog wrangler, Yankee expat, and travel junkie. Following her daring daytime escape to England, Barb has lived in a medieval castle, a Hobbit House, and a magic Scottish Isle. You can find her online at https://barbtaub.com/
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 19, 2021
I've read excerpts on Barb Taub's blog of what would become this book, so was most pleased to see that they, and so much more, had arrived in Kindle format (and paperback). When I first opened it on my tablet, I thought 'what's going on here?' because it seemed to be in PDF rather than Kindle style, but I soon understood why - it contains masses of fabulous photos of the trip, which add so much to the whole book (particularly the ones of Barb trying to mount and get down from a camel). By a little deft fingerwork on the screen, you can not only make the text bigger, but the photos too. There's so much splendid detail in the pictures; I very much appreciated this feature.
From the camel trip in the desert, to the elephant rides (and the avalanche of elephant-themed souvenirs), from Mr CallMeSami's transparent coffee, to masala papad (apparently the most wonderful snack food on earth) and a desert resort that I long to visit, this book is a total winner. Not only is it beautifully presented, it would also be of use to anyone wanting to tour this part of India. Other main attractions include many stories and legends attached to places Barb, Janine and Jaya visited, but, most of all, it's funny. And I mean funny.
Well done Barb, well done Janine and Jaya for the photos, and I hope you manage to get back there again before too long!
From the camel trip in the desert, to the elephant rides (and the avalanche of elephant-themed souvenirs), from Mr CallMeSami's transparent coffee, to masala papad (apparently the most wonderful snack food on earth) and a desert resort that I long to visit, this book is a total winner. Not only is it beautifully presented, it would also be of use to anyone wanting to tour this part of India. Other main attractions include many stories and legends attached to places Barb, Janine and Jaya visited, but, most of all, it's funny. And I mean funny.
Well done Barb, well done Janine and Jaya for the photos, and I hope you manage to get back there again before too long!
January 2, 2023
Three ‘mature’ college friends meet up again for another immersive experience – this time in the Rajasthan and Gujarat regions of India.
If you’re familiar with the first book, Do Not wash Hands in Plates, you’ll know what delights are in store for you. Barb Taub’s sparkling prose and delicious humour are enhanced by Jaya’s (Jayalakshmi Ayyer) narrative as the no-nonsense defender of the naive tourists against exploitation, plus the amazing photographs taken by her and Janice Smith.
I read the first book in this series on my old monochrome Kindle Keyboard. When I tried to buy this one a message came up saying it wasn’t available for my new Kindle Oasis. I enjoyed the earlier book so much, I downloaded this one onto my iPad. Now I understand why my Kindle wasn’t up to it. This is the eReader version of a sumptuous coffee table book. It’s full of photographs with colours that zing off the page.
This is one of those travel books that sweeps you along. It’s informative but never in a dry way and there’s a real sense of affection for the people they meet– and for the food…
From hilarious camel rides, magnificent and intricately carved palaces, sobering tales of sacrifice and weird and wonderful folded towels awaiting them on their beds, this book took me on the journey with them and I hugely enjoyed it.
There’s even a section at the end called Travel Tips where they share their advice on where to shop, eat, stay and visit. There’s also a link to more of their stunning photographs plus two video clips of how to make your own towel rabbit or monkey.
I’ll be revisiting this book and am already looking forward to the next one.
If you’re familiar with the first book, Do Not wash Hands in Plates, you’ll know what delights are in store for you. Barb Taub’s sparkling prose and delicious humour are enhanced by Jaya’s (Jayalakshmi Ayyer) narrative as the no-nonsense defender of the naive tourists against exploitation, plus the amazing photographs taken by her and Janice Smith.
I read the first book in this series on my old monochrome Kindle Keyboard. When I tried to buy this one a message came up saying it wasn’t available for my new Kindle Oasis. I enjoyed the earlier book so much, I downloaded this one onto my iPad. Now I understand why my Kindle wasn’t up to it. This is the eReader version of a sumptuous coffee table book. It’s full of photographs with colours that zing off the page.
This is one of those travel books that sweeps you along. It’s informative but never in a dry way and there’s a real sense of affection for the people they meet– and for the food…
From hilarious camel rides, magnificent and intricately carved palaces, sobering tales of sacrifice and weird and wonderful folded towels awaiting them on their beds, this book took me on the journey with them and I hugely enjoyed it.
There’s even a section at the end called Travel Tips where they share their advice on where to shop, eat, stay and visit. There’s also a link to more of their stunning photographs plus two video clips of how to make your own towel rabbit or monkey.
I’ll be revisiting this book and am already looking forward to the next one.
April 9, 2021
Our adventurous trio (Barb from Scotland, Janine from Washington DC and Jaya from India) first made an appearance in Do Not Wash Hands in Plates when they decided to (try and) coordinate their outward journeys and meet at an airport in India. This time however, the get together was looking as though it might not happen when beaurocracy meant Janine’s visa was delayed…and delayed…and delayed some more, eventually necessitating an e-visa just in time for her flight.
[This time, Janine and I were supposed to meet up at the Mumbai International Airport. But due to a tragic annual event we have up north (winter), both our flights were delayed.
I’d been travelling from Scotland for over eighteen hours, much of that time spent on the runway as the plane was repeatedly de-iced. More than a day earlier, Janine had left her home outside Washington DC in the middle of a blizzard, making it out on the last plane to take off before the Eastern USA put out the CLOSED sign and climbed back into bed to binge-watch old seasons of The Walking Dead.]
Despite all obstacles Barb and Janine managed to eventually meet up at the Mumbai airport domestic terminal for their onward flight to a small airport in Gujarat where Jaya was waiting. On landing they were almost immediately swept up in a wedding party. From then on it was a whirlwind of hotels, travel, sightseeing and eating, totalling a travelling time of four weeks and almost 1,500 miles.
Barb’s narrative and observations are detailed, witty, informative and always a delight to read, giving a vivid account of their route, stops along the way, the food and retail opportunities on offer for shopaholic Barb, the incredible architecture, all of which is complimented by Janine’s and Jaya’s wonderful photos.
Please Don’t Ask For Extra Glasses encompasses local legends, historical facts and amazing glimpses into India’s colourful history and culture, all woven into a humorous account of an eventful few weeks discovering and sampling what Gujarat, and more specifically, Rajasthan have to offer. And what the trip offered was an amazing variety of foods, accommodations ranging from tents to palaces and most places in between, opportunities to see and marvel over ancient treasures and stunning views.
There are also helpful travel tips about where to shop, (including bazaars, open air markets, roadside stalls to name a few) eat, stay and how to get where you want to go. An extremely interesting, enjoyable and entertaining read.
[This time, Janine and I were supposed to meet up at the Mumbai International Airport. But due to a tragic annual event we have up north (winter), both our flights were delayed.
I’d been travelling from Scotland for over eighteen hours, much of that time spent on the runway as the plane was repeatedly de-iced. More than a day earlier, Janine had left her home outside Washington DC in the middle of a blizzard, making it out on the last plane to take off before the Eastern USA put out the CLOSED sign and climbed back into bed to binge-watch old seasons of The Walking Dead.]
Despite all obstacles Barb and Janine managed to eventually meet up at the Mumbai airport domestic terminal for their onward flight to a small airport in Gujarat where Jaya was waiting. On landing they were almost immediately swept up in a wedding party. From then on it was a whirlwind of hotels, travel, sightseeing and eating, totalling a travelling time of four weeks and almost 1,500 miles.
Barb’s narrative and observations are detailed, witty, informative and always a delight to read, giving a vivid account of their route, stops along the way, the food and retail opportunities on offer for shopaholic Barb, the incredible architecture, all of which is complimented by Janine’s and Jaya’s wonderful photos.
Please Don’t Ask For Extra Glasses encompasses local legends, historical facts and amazing glimpses into India’s colourful history and culture, all woven into a humorous account of an eventful few weeks discovering and sampling what Gujarat, and more specifically, Rajasthan have to offer. And what the trip offered was an amazing variety of foods, accommodations ranging from tents to palaces and most places in between, opportunities to see and marvel over ancient treasures and stunning views.
There are also helpful travel tips about where to shop, (including bazaars, open air markets, roadside stalls to name a few) eat, stay and how to get where you want to go. An extremely interesting, enjoyable and entertaining read.
March 21, 2021
Following on from book 1 our three intrepid travellers have once more convened in India to spend a few weeks exploring (covering over 1500 miles) and consequently this book contains even more elephants, parathas, temples, palaces, camels and the kindness of Indian strangers.
Please Don’t Ask for Extra Glasses is the perfect book for an armchair traveller, like me, who will never go to India. Well, I might, if I had a Jaya to travel with but otherwise, no. The chaos ensues for this trio with the Pre-Trip Planning chapter, or, How Not to Get a Visa, and I absolutely loved the list of what to pack for the trip. Then there is the flight, and the meal choices, and the general travel disruption and, of course, crashing a wedding on the first night and I knew we were off on one hell of a ride.
Barb Taub is a brilliant and humorous writer and each page is a joy to read. Throughout the chapters there are beautiful photos taken by Jaya and Janine which illustrate the stories told perfectly. Much of this book is made up of Barb, Jaya and Janine’s experiences on their travels but it also covers a lot of interesting history about the places, forts and temples they visit too.
The book, as well as being entertaining, is packed with useful tips such as where to shop, eat and stay and then of course you have the asides such as Camel Fun Facts.
This is a must-read for anyone who has been/is thinking of going to India as well as those of us who aren’t but love an entertaining read and a book that opens our eyes to another world.
Please Don’t Ask for Extra Glasses is the perfect book for an armchair traveller, like me, who will never go to India. Well, I might, if I had a Jaya to travel with but otherwise, no. The chaos ensues for this trio with the Pre-Trip Planning chapter, or, How Not to Get a Visa, and I absolutely loved the list of what to pack for the trip. Then there is the flight, and the meal choices, and the general travel disruption and, of course, crashing a wedding on the first night and I knew we were off on one hell of a ride.
Barb Taub is a brilliant and humorous writer and each page is a joy to read. Throughout the chapters there are beautiful photos taken by Jaya and Janine which illustrate the stories told perfectly. Much of this book is made up of Barb, Jaya and Janine’s experiences on their travels but it also covers a lot of interesting history about the places, forts and temples they visit too.
The book, as well as being entertaining, is packed with useful tips such as where to shop, eat and stay and then of course you have the asides such as Camel Fun Facts.
This is a must-read for anyone who has been/is thinking of going to India as well as those of us who aren’t but love an entertaining read and a book that opens our eyes to another world.
April 5, 2021
I don’t remember the last time when I had so much fun reading a travel experience. Barb is a witty author with a laudable sense of humor. She has kept the book alive with her clever one-liners and individual style. This book revives the travel experience of a lively trio- Jaya is the leader who can take no-nonsense, Janine is a photographer, and Barb is a shopaholic. In initial experiences, I envisioned Barb, Jaya, and Janine to be young women in their late 20’s on an all-girl trip until I encountered the word “Grandmother”. I went back and checked the pictures, and it further enhanced my enjoyment.
The book starts with a humorous exchange of communication for VISA approval and sets the right tone for further chapters. In all 16 chapters, the author has narrated her adventure of traveling across Rajasthan and Gujrat. I have been to most of the destinations, and through the author, I have seen them in a different light. While traveling in Rajasthan, she couldn't contain her childish excitement for camels and Elephants. Even though I live in India, still camels and elephants are hard to be seen in Delhi. I can relate to it.
I always wanted to know the thoughts of international travelers for my country. This book gave an appropriate opportunity. It is strange to know they also have to face similar tourist traps, scammers, and thugs. Looks like there is no escape for anyone. The book starts with crashing a wedding, and they also encountered a bride on a horse. Being a native Indian, it is unusual, and I have not seen it in my entire life. It’s the bridegroom who astride the horse.
There are nowhere boring stats and history. Wherever needed it is transformed into stories. This book is thoroughly strived to relive the marvelous memories. In the end, there are some relevant travel tips for markets, food, shopping, etc. As the book ends, they didn't want to end the trip, and I also felt the same. I wish it could go on and on. I relished and lived their every experience.
The book starts with a humorous exchange of communication for VISA approval and sets the right tone for further chapters. In all 16 chapters, the author has narrated her adventure of traveling across Rajasthan and Gujrat. I have been to most of the destinations, and through the author, I have seen them in a different light. While traveling in Rajasthan, she couldn't contain her childish excitement for camels and Elephants. Even though I live in India, still camels and elephants are hard to be seen in Delhi. I can relate to it.
I always wanted to know the thoughts of international travelers for my country. This book gave an appropriate opportunity. It is strange to know they also have to face similar tourist traps, scammers, and thugs. Looks like there is no escape for anyone. The book starts with crashing a wedding, and they also encountered a bride on a horse. Being a native Indian, it is unusual, and I have not seen it in my entire life. It’s the bridegroom who astride the horse.
There are nowhere boring stats and history. Wherever needed it is transformed into stories. This book is thoroughly strived to relive the marvelous memories. In the end, there are some relevant travel tips for markets, food, shopping, etc. As the book ends, they didn't want to end the trip, and I also felt the same. I wish it could go on and on. I relished and lived their every experience.
May 3, 2021
I have been a fan of Barb Taub since first reading her blog years ago, and I loved the first book in the Your Camels are Here series. This book was every bit as fun, funny, and adventurous as the last.
When three women who've known each other for decades decide to travel together in India, what can possibly go wrong?
I get a delightful sense of the personality of each of the three women from this book. There's the bird watcher who takes no prisoners when the time comes for scolding anyone who would try to take advantage of the trio, the photographer whose job it is to make sure there is evidence of everything the women do and see, and the scribe (Taub), whose job it is to make sure they survive the trip (this is where worrying comes in very handy) and their adventures and experiences are shared with a hefty dose of humor.
I highly recommend this book to armchair travelers, jetsetting travelers, people who don't travel but love to laugh, and everyone else.
When three women who've known each other for decades decide to travel together in India, what can possibly go wrong?
I get a delightful sense of the personality of each of the three women from this book. There's the bird watcher who takes no prisoners when the time comes for scolding anyone who would try to take advantage of the trio, the photographer whose job it is to make sure there is evidence of everything the women do and see, and the scribe (Taub), whose job it is to make sure they survive the trip (this is where worrying comes in very handy) and their adventures and experiences are shared with a hefty dose of humor.
I highly recommend this book to armchair travelers, jetsetting travelers, people who don't travel but love to laugh, and everyone else.
June 18, 2021
Of course it is good…
Having read a bit of Barb’s oeuvre it was a distinct no brainier to consume this next volume of the Three Might Sprites as they did another bite out of the subcontinent. I’m not sure India was ready for such emboldened emancipation from these busy bees as they did their own things together. Every holiday needs a Jaya to organise, every crisis a Janine to emolify and every low moment a sparkle of Barb dust to ward off the evils. I doubt I’d cope with the food, the early starts would test Barb’s abilities to perk up this audience and the miles in a car might be more than a man’s posterior has any right to suffer, but doing this at one remove is perfect. I loved it but I’m not sure I’m brave enough to throw myself into the challenges. Roll on book three!
Having read a bit of Barb’s oeuvre it was a distinct no brainier to consume this next volume of the Three Might Sprites as they did another bite out of the subcontinent. I’m not sure India was ready for such emboldened emancipation from these busy bees as they did their own things together. Every holiday needs a Jaya to organise, every crisis a Janine to emolify and every low moment a sparkle of Barb dust to ward off the evils. I doubt I’d cope with the food, the early starts would test Barb’s abilities to perk up this audience and the miles in a car might be more than a man’s posterior has any right to suffer, but doing this at one remove is perfect. I loved it but I’m not sure I’m brave enough to throw myself into the challenges. Roll on book three!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews