Except in Bombay those three western-looking young men next to Rupa were the only western-types I can remember seeing for the rest of the trip.
Those three guys were backpackers who had met at the youth hostel and decided to take the tour together. One was a student from the US who was here for a six month internship, one was from New Zealand out for an adventure before Real Life began and the last was from Belgium, and he said he was just on-the-road for as long as his money held out. They were strong and eager and young and I took a great delight in their company.