Udaipur to Pushkar

Henna

The next morning I awoke feeling fully recovered from my sickness for the first time in 4 days, perfect timing as 5 of us were heading to Pushkar that day on a 7 hour non air-conditioned bus. There is something about Indian public transport that makes you feel imprisoned. I was so happy to be sitting next to a window until the miserable bus driver told me I couldn’t sit there because it was for Indians. My first experience of racism in India. However, Ben and Danny convinced him to let me stay. It's been alot easier for Karen and I to now travel with men, feeling more protected and less taken advantage of. The bus ride wasn’t too bad, just a few black and blues from the shocks of the buss hitting massive pot holes in the roads. And I thought Trinidad roads were bad! 

Bus ride

My favourite - the shitter

The bus rise had nice views of the people washing their clothes in the rivers, pumping water from wells, villages, slums and the sounds of indian music playing on the bus. I have always liked Indian music being exposed to it growing up in Trinidad, but this trip I have grown to love it even more.  We had a quick pee stop and again the hole in the ground toilets. I love India but if it's one thing I could NOT get accustomed to is these shitters. It always covered by flies and smells like pardon my language - ASS! I promise I will forever appreciate a normal toilet bowl after India! 

Views from bus ride

We got off the bus too early and ended up in an extremely poor area surrounded by bare foot children begging. It's so heartbreaking to see the conditions these children grow up in and how little they have. Some of them can get quite aggressive if you ignore or don't give them anything. We bought some food nearby and gave to the mother. Later that night, after shoving 5 people and backpacks into a tuk-tuk for an hour drive to the guest house, we finally arrived and had dinner. It was 12 hour day of traveling so we were exhausted. 

Ghatts and temples - Pushkar Lake

Natalie playing guitar at guest house

The next morning I awoke to the sounds of people praying and children playing. When I went outside, I was in awe at the view we had from our room which I couldn't see the night before. A huge veranda overlooking the Lake Pushkar which is surrounded by over 50 ghatts and temples and the mountains in the distance. We had mattresses on the ground, shady tree, good people looking after us and a peaceful ambience. There is something about this Lotus Guest House that makes you feel completely at home. It is really natural and simple place, nothing fancy, costs only 200 rupees a night, which is less than 2 pounds. Pushkar is a very holy place, the lake we were overlooking had Ghandi's ashes placed in the water outside the Ghandi ghatt. We were supposed to go to the 2 day festival here, however from hearing the other backpackers their experience, it sounded a bit intense. They said they were the center of attention being white, thousands of people swarming them, touching and taking photos. All harmless but it can be overwhelming, so we decided to skip this and just relax instead.

Getting fresh juice in Pushkar market

During the day we ate, read, wrote postcards and chatted with people I met at the guest house while some played their guitars. You really meet some interesting people when traveling and people from all over the world. When you meet people you get along well with and who want to go similar places, you travel together. Later that evening we went into the market which is AMAZING for shopping. Pushkar is where everyone comes to buy their clothes and jewelry wholesale prices to resell, so you can imagine how cheap it is. You don't even need to bargain but you could if you wanted. I bought a big indian bed cover quilt, pillow cases, handbags, wooden kitchen bowls and shipped it to Trinidad to keep as souvenirs. I found the shopping experience here so nice - no one really hassling you. And the vendors welcome you into the stores to sit and have chai tea with them. 

Monkeys liming at guest house

There is a pack of about 20 monkeys that roam around the city and always come by our guest house a few times a day. This is always the highlight of my days here as I LOVE monkeys. And best of all, these were not aggressive, they were tame and you could literally sit and lime with them. I sat on the rooftop with them and fed them bananas and bread.

Sunset in countryside

Motor bike rides in countryside

Rokesh and Mavi from the guest house took us on motor bikes to the countryside to visit the Shiva temple while the sun set. It was breath taking the view. When we arrived, I was expecting this massive temple but instead it was tiny, underground in a cave and could only fit about 5 people in it. We sat and listened about the different Gods in the Indian culture and said some prayers. Later that night, the guys who worked there taught us the girls - Karen, Natalie (from Spain) and I how to cook an indian dish which we made for the group. Spent the rest of the night chatting, listening to a few people play guitars. I really like Pushkar, the people and particularly the guest house where we are staying at. Will miss this place when we leave tomorrow.

Learning to make chapatis