India. india india india

I am having a difficult time describing our first week in India.  I think I fantasized about SE Asia being this cultural wonderland where locals stare with curious eyes,  food so different you close your eyes and point, a freedom of tourists, and steadfast cacophony so loud you want to run and hide.  What I did not find in SE Asia I have found here in India.

Mumbai was chaotic but worth it.  Rajasthan has been a blessing and welcome relief.  We first went to Mt. Abu located on the southern border of Rajasthan, a Hill Station known to attract pious devotees on pilgrimages.  We visited a few Jain Temples that were made of white marble and had intricate carvings so delicate you want to break it off and eat it.  The main Jain temple, see photo below, was built almost 1,000 years ago and cost 120 million rupees in 1031AD.

From Mt. Abu we traveled to Jaisalmer in the far west.  We found a stunning desert fort rising from the sand like a mirage as we pulled in at sunset.  Our hotel is brand new, it overlooks the whole city and the ancient fort, a really nice treat.   A popular excursion from Jaisalmer is a camel safari which we of course did.  We are sore and sun sick but the two beautiful days in the desert will be a lasting memory.

We are staying in Jaisalmer for two more days to catch the Holi Festival, also called the Festival of Colors which from what I gather is a night of throwing colorful powders, pastes and water dyes on other people…should make for some good pictures.  Of course I’ve left out the religious aspects but this post is rather lengthy as it is – feel free to google Holi (ignore the part about possible hazards found in the color dyes, India is of course an adventure)

A few pictures are below, apparently the internet cafes are charged per byte transfer so we’ve been encouraged not to load many pictures.

~ by kmdingman on March 9, 2009.