Better luck in Udaipur
Trip Start
Oct 16, 2008
1
7
23
Trip End
??? ??, 2009
Udaipur,
Rajasthan,
India
Sunday, November 2, 2008
An active temple having hundreds of marble pillars, intricate carvings, broad open cermonial lounges. The sun hitting it created incredible geometric patterns of cast shadose, onto the white marble with tarnished edges. Black faced monkeys with long curling tails scrambled about overhead enjoying all the man-made gripping points in the stone. I felt humbled standing aside watching the ceremonies and singing of the congregation
Annointed at the Temple
. A beautiful place. Beutiful people.We then passed over the mountains via hairpin curves with precipitious drop-offs. The 1 1/2 lane wide road left me concerned for oncoming traffic. Somehow it works though. Traffic here always works--a miracle for sure. It was when we stopped for the pack of 20 camels that were crossing the road when my camera died. Maria's camera died in the desert last week. Hopefully we will have one working tomorrrow. I will find a way to update this blog with pics.
So then the road changes from 1 1/2 lanes to a divided highway two lanes in each direction. Why is it that with unpredictable regularity cars still travel in the opposite direction? Why is it that the goat herder chose to move his flock of 30 goat along the highway bringing us to a stop to 'push' our way thru? Surprises everywhere!
Udaipur is a hilly city with a couple of large lakes. Two fabulous palaces are built at the lake. Remember 007's "Octopussy" movie? Check it out.....it was filmed here. The streets are quite narrow...just like old Jodhpur. However, this city is so very clean. The smaller population and much lower poverty rate make this a more relaxing place
In the village
. Maria and I enjoy walking around this city. She is doing quite well. We are taking it slow to give her rest. Every few steps she is asked by a young man "What happened?" pointing to her bandaged and slinged shoulder. She is so spirited and enjoys the conversations that evolve.
I am loving the people here. There friendliness and humility stikes me. The mix of Hindu, Muslim, Jain, Buddhist religions leaves a mystical sense here. Temples and shrines abound. Young and old exercise their daily rituals with full devotion. I always encounter, and return the bow and 'Namaste" (respect) greeeting when entering and leaving the shops and businesses. One young man told me with such deep sincerity "It is not important sir to be rich with Rupee's-It is important to be rich in the heart". I am blessed to experience this.
We hired a Jeep to take us to remote villages on Tuesday. The road was rough thru valleys and up into the mountains. Monkeys entertained us at small temple/ shrine. Walked thru a small village a long distance from electricity. The kids were so curious and Maria loved to play with them. They just love it when we take their picture and then show them the digital image on the camera. The smiles on their faces as they see themselves probably for the first time on an LCD display.
I love the peacefullness and tranquility of these remote villages. The quietness, serenity is calming. Perhaps for the same reason that I love backpacking into the wilderness
Maria with Village kids
. It seems I am strongly drawn to simplicity and nature. All we could hear was the breeze blowing, the villagers talking, and the workers in the field or women working around the stove. They gather wood for their dinner fire. They wash by the stream side. I have done this many times. Not as a way of life but as a get-away. I wonder what that life is like. Not easy for sure. But peacefull?We take a train to Delhi on Wednesday night. Maria flies home on the 8th. I will miss her. Travelling with her is a treasure. She is so much fun. She has the flexibility and tolerance to travel with a backpack. She thirsts for the culture and rich knowledge of living with such wonderful people.
Namaste, Mark
Comments
Great pics
Great pics, sweetie. You look cute.