The train ride was 6 hours. - Although there was much poverty and lots of trash, we did come upon several more prosperous towns including Alwal and Ajmer. AHS - Despite my son’s love of long train and/or bus rides, it was not the most thrilling. The landscape is bleak, with a few areas that look a little more lush. The air smells of burning stuff. We arrived in Ajmer, the main town near Pushkar. Near bedlam at the train station, but I suppose this was status quo. We piled into waiting cars, and it took another 20 minutes to exit the parking lot. Again, traffic rules must be for other people, as cars were trying to travel in every direction at once. We had another half an hour or so to get to Pushkar and then to our campsite.
The site is unreal. The tent we are in is bigger than our bedroom. They have installed running water and even a bathroom with a shower as a part of the tent. There are multiple flaps, and electric lights. It was deadly hot as we arrived, but it has cooled off a little.
We assembled at the front and climbed into camel carts to go to the fair. Laying down on a flat cart was not easy. My back was protesting by the end, and many of the other people had similar experiences. We went over to the site of the fair and drove around in the camel cart. Think of a huge County fair or State fair with camels instead of cows chickens and pigs. There is a midway with a Ferris wheel and other rides. - But unlike, our county fairs, there were encampments of gypsies throughout the camp grounds. According to our guide, the gypsies are thought to be Roma that migrated from Romania, and that theory is bolstered by the fact that many have green eyes, which Indians typically do not. AHS - Kids hawking everything, and they are VERY persistent. One latched onto me and wouldn’t go until I finally bought some bangles from him. 11 for $20 was not a great price, but not terrible. He had started at 1 for $20. There were actually 12 bangles, but one dropped from the camel cart on our way out, and we did not bother to go back to get it. Once the rest of the kids found out there was a buyer in the crowd, they wouldn’t leave me alone. We did get to see the camels and more camels and more camels. The sun was setting and we got some good pictures. One advantage of the haze is it makes the sunset prettier. My lungs might not survive the smoke, however. I’m told the smoke comes from burning camel dung. Lovely.
The food is interesting. There is something about this district that is holy, so no meat is allowed to be served. Ann is in heaven, but I am craving some meatballs. Even so, it is plentiful and reasonable tasty. Tonight there was some cauliflower and potato curry, Okra and onions and tomatoes, and a bunch of different bean dishes from the local area, Rajasthan, including some fried beans. Desert was a type of rice pudding and honey-soaked fried dough in a pretzel shape. Maybe next time I’ll bring my notebook and write down the actual names.
The site is unreal. The tent we are in is bigger than our bedroom. They have installed running water and even a bathroom with a shower as a part of the tent. There are multiple flaps, and electric lights. It was deadly hot as we arrived, but it has cooled off a little.
We assembled at the front and climbed into camel carts to go to the fair. Laying down on a flat cart was not easy. My back was protesting by the end, and many of the other people had similar experiences. We went over to the site of the fair and drove around in the camel cart. Think of a huge County fair or State fair with camels instead of cows chickens and pigs. There is a midway with a Ferris wheel and other rides. - But unlike, our county fairs, there were encampments of gypsies throughout the camp grounds. According to our guide, the gypsies are thought to be Roma that migrated from Romania, and that theory is bolstered by the fact that many have green eyes, which Indians typically do not. AHS - Kids hawking everything, and they are VERY persistent. One latched onto me and wouldn’t go until I finally bought some bangles from him. 11 for $20 was not a great price, but not terrible. He had started at 1 for $20. There were actually 12 bangles, but one dropped from the camel cart on our way out, and we did not bother to go back to get it. Once the rest of the kids found out there was a buyer in the crowd, they wouldn’t leave me alone. We did get to see the camels and more camels and more camels. The sun was setting and we got some good pictures. One advantage of the haze is it makes the sunset prettier. My lungs might not survive the smoke, however. I’m told the smoke comes from burning camel dung. Lovely.
The food is interesting. There is something about this district that is holy, so no meat is allowed to be served. Ann is in heaven, but I am craving some meatballs. Even so, it is plentiful and reasonable tasty. Tonight there was some cauliflower and potato curry, Okra and onions and tomatoes, and a bunch of different bean dishes from the local area, Rajasthan, including some fried beans. Desert was a type of rice pudding and honey-soaked fried dough in a pretzel shape. Maybe next time I’ll bring my notebook and write down the actual names.
1 comment:
holy shiva, you paid $20 for a dozen bangles? No wonder they wouldn't leave you alone!
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