Pakistan. Lahore - Chunga Munga Jungle-Lahore-Sharakpur Sharif -Lahore

We arrived back in Lahore after a really long and irritating journey on the train with an old guy who did not stop mumbling to himself all night. ABBA DABBA DABBA ABBA................. . It was too Much for me and did not sleep very well at all.
Have spent the few days back here relaxing with the other guests here, and when the Lahore Marathon was on on Sunday, as all the streets were closed, we set up a badminton court on the street below the hostel (using a piece of string that was held up by 2 full water bottles) and played lots of games with other guests and locals.
Yesterday, we took a bus in the late morning and went to a place called Chunga Munga Jungle (say that fast, its funny). We arrived there and after quick chai, we went into the Jungle itself. I wouldn't really say that it is a jungle, just a big forest with different trees. The locals are not, obviously allowed to chop down the trees, so they just chop down the upper branches of the trees to use for firewood.
We got to one hotel and although they could not speak English, they told us very definitely that one room cost 1000 rupees, this was not what we were expecting at all, and had been told that there were cheaper rooms somewhere. We were also told that we had to go back into the village to make a booking for the room and they were not sure if they were reserved or not. So we were taken to some officials office and he told us the same story, and then told us that there was a cheaper hotel further away. So, we went back to the first hotel, picked up our bags and walked up to the other hotel. This hotel looked hideous. It had a huge concrete 'monstrosity' that was like some kind of waterslide/climbing frame/...eerrr you will just have to wait until I put some photos on this site to see what it looked like. We checked in, and then went straight out for a walk. The area was ok, but not amazing we met a sweet guy named Adam, who kept giving us sticks of sugar cane to chew on. We got back to the hotel, planning a game of Badminton, and later a game of scrabble (yes we are carrying these things around with us!) and I sat down and noticed that the bed sheets were really dirty, so we asked for them to change them, but they said we must change room. We looked at the next room and it was even worse. We could expect it from a hostel that we pay 150 rupees (about 1 pound 50) but not for a government hotel that were charging 700!. We left after getting our money back and went back into the village. Then, to top it all off, as we were walking to the bus station, My boob was grabbed!. This is the first time that I have heard anything like this happening, and it was quite a shock. I found a policeman, told him what had happened and we got straight on a bus to get back here!.
After spending a night back in the hostel again in Lahore, we met up with other people that were heading to Sharakpur Sharif that day. We all got together and got into one of Malik's son's car and he drove 4 of us down there. Two more came by bus and two more where there already. We were loaded to the brim with baggage in the car and stopped off at a Hotel where it is possible to get alcohol (without a permit) and loaded ourselves up even more.
When we finally got there (in all, Peter, Nadir, Johny, Pierre, Pervis, Gregory,Fasi and us two), we unloaded, got wood and extra supplies of fizzy drinks and then laid into the alcohol and food. As it had been one month, I repeat ONE WHOLE MONTH without alcohol it didn't take long for me to end up in bed!.
The next day, the hangover was not to bad and myself and a few others went into the garden - surrounded by roses and llychee trees, on the grounds of the guesthouse where we watched Gregory practice his juggling skills, played cards, read books and sang the silly song of the ice cream delivery man that plays really loudly everywhere! (do do do. do do do. Do do - do do, dodo dodo for those of you that know it!) we lay in the sun for ages. Maurice stayed in bed and we all though that he had a really bad hangover, but by that night we realised that it was more than that as he was still being ill.
That evening, despite the fact that we still had lots of alcohol left Myself and Maurice didn't drink and we all (minus Maurice) sat round the fire, talking for ages.
The next morning, we said goodbye to Pervis, Peter, pierre and Gregory (Fasi had left the day before) and that left 4 of us with no electricity (I don't mean that the lads took it with them!).
Myself, Johny and Nadir went into Sharakpur town and got supplies, then woooosh! I started to feel ill myself and we had to make haste make to the guest house to relive my stomach.
Despite being ill, and having no electricity, Maurice cooked up a storm again in that small kitchen and we had a feast. Maurice was up all night being ill, so we made it back to Lahore today where we are in much comfortable surroundings. I am fine, so at least I can look after him.
There is a festival happening outside of Lahore full of Sulfi drummers. Lots of people from here are going (its expected to hold 3000 people) but we are not as its not really US.
Hope everyone is well, thanks for your comments auntie June and Torben!