India-Pushkar, Udaipur & Amhedabad
It's been a couple busy days here!
We started the day in Pushkar watching some of our group have a blessing at the lake. From what I could tell, this involved coconuts, flower petals, and a dip in the water. After being presented with a bracelet and being wished a long life, off we went shopping. After the trousers I bought in Delhi had ripped up the crotch, I needed a new pair. Back to the hotel for a dip in the pool and a full body (and I mean full body) massage. Being slapped around the head was interesting...
That evening we got a jeep to the desert, to spend the evening with food and entertainment. Watching the others arrive on their camels, we settled into the quiet surroundings, sitting on cushions on the floor. Dismounted and debriefed we were ready for our entertainment. But first we were all given traditional clothes to wear.
Traditional robes in the desert
The first entertainer was a magician, making coins appear and disappear, multiply and move. He was hilarious, especially as he had Lucy convinced he was going to make a snake appear - turns out it was some doves! Next up, as the sun went down, we had some local gypsy's come to dance for us, and with us as they made us join in. They danced with pots of fire on their heads, and swung their dresses casting light everywhere where the mirrors reflect the campfire. They were, however, shown up by their companion who swallowed and blew fire.
After the excitement had settled down, we were given the option to stay the night, something no one before us had had a chance to do: and most of us gave up our air conditioned room in favour of the open air. Fair enough away from the lake, Prats managed to smuggle in some rum for those staying, which curbed off the fear of the animals scuttering around us. We woke up to the sunrise with chai and paranthas, then headed back to the hotel for a nap and to pack!
We dragged ourselves out of bed and stumbled across a restaurant called little Italy. It was the best pizza I've had since being here (I have only had a couple, promise), and the price wasn't too bad either! Back into the jeeps to the train station! Getting on the train was an experience to say the least. For starters we were at the wrong end of the station for our carriage, so had to leg it up the platform to lug ourselves on. Then there were people everywhere, all we were trying to do was put our bags up, but people were pushing past us, sitting in our seats: madness! Eventually I swapped with a local man to sit closer the the group, out came my kindle and I ignored the rest of the bustle and relaxed into the journey. We arrived in Udaipur in time for a buffet dinner then crashed into bed.
We went on an orientation walk of the city, which is called the city of lakes. It surrounds one main lake called Lake Pichola which is beautiful and hosts buildings on and around it. In the evening we went to a performance of traditional Rajasthani dance, puppets and theatre. My favourite was a dance with bells, in which the ladies swung a singlular bell on a stand around, hitting other mini symbols that were attached to their bodies. The star of the show though, was a lady who balanaced 11 pots on her head whilst dancing on glass and removing a napkin from a bunch of flowers with her mouth. Truly incredible. Turns out she's on ever dropped the pots twice. Once she hit the pots on a branch, and second she cut her leg on the broken glass she dances on. Later that evening we had cosmos and dinner at a lovely restaurant just out of town.
After a lie in, we headed to the lake to see the city from the water. It didn't disappoint. Even though it was raining, the views were still amazing, the rain and mist added to the atmosphere. Feeling mystical, we went to the palm readers to know our destinies. Turns out I will have a big change in my life at 24, will have two intense relationships before I enter a long one at 28, and will have three daughters. He also told me I am very creative, use my imagination on a daily basis and should get a job in arty communication. (3 years not wasted then!) I was also warned about my sharpness and impulsive actions.
Kristine cooking at our class
The cooking class was incredible, we learnt how to make chai, dal soup, panak paneer, chipatis, jeera rice and samosas - then ate them! I've got the recipes written down so if I ever offer to cook you Indian... you're welcome.
On the way back to the hotel, we went via the Navaratri festival, where people were dancing and celebrating. Encouraged by Prats, a handful of us grabbed two bamboo sticks and joined in with a dance called Dandiya. The men in one line, and the women in the other, you whack your sticks together to the right, then left, then tap your own two together, then each other's right again, then yours together, and move to the next person. Sounds complicated, and it was, but it was great fun, and by the time we gave up after 20 minutes we were all sweating, and our feet were filthy, because you had to take your shoes off to do the dancing in the street. After a few drinks in Emma's room, we all packed and headed to bed, preparing for a day of travelling.
7:30 and we were up and out of the hotel, heading to the bus station in tuk tuk's. Having all voted for an upgrade the day before, we hopped in our air conditioned coach to Amedhabad for the day. Lunch at a maccers in a mall, and to the Ghandji ashram for a nosey, and we catch the overnight train to Mumbai at 10. Wish me luck!