“Incredible India” with Pushkar Camel Festival
We arrived to the land of 1000 languages and 1000 gods. At the Intercontinental, the women in the group welcomed with marigolds and branded with the typical red dot on our foreheads. Oasis Hotel is a luxury in the polluted city’s 14 million people. Two days spent touring Delhi. The site must include Gandhi’s Tomb and many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Where there is no more ancient traditions blended with the modern on a scale so clear as in Jakarta. Fat sacred Brahma bulls block traffic creating delays. In Hindu land, cows rule. Dogs, monkeys and a cross on the children of their own risk.
I love spicy food and begin each day with a 3 alarm-curry breakfast. We head by coach for Rajasthan, the beautiful desert state where cows are replaced by camels. Air sweeter and everything more colorful. Here is all the little India. Those cultured with the spirit and humility if the light is still on the side of foreigners. We continue to wave us through the window for people to look with curiosity and seem to say, “why you come here?” As a fan of the third world, this place has been my dream list for years. I now vividly include travel elements that give me wonder.
We come to attend the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar that has taken place for a thousand years. As the world’s largest, at its peak it attracted 50,000 camels with 200,000 traders. We unpack at our camp called Exotic Adventures. Spartan tent that our services have a toilet but no toilet paper in the premium. There was a 24-hour guard outside who stingily we rationed quota. In the desert, the cold nights and sweltering afternoon. I have confided to guests from the United States Embassy that I felt like I was in an episode of “Survivor.” He laughed to ensure that all of that worth it. Soon turned into shock because I fear I enter fairgrounds.
Set on miles of shifting sand Dunes with festooned camels and a flood of pilgrims, the scene looks totally Surreal. Its like a State Fair on steroids. There is confusion of horse, bullock and camel races, contests for milking, animal decorating, turban Tying, tattooing and snake charmers, free carnival rides, mystics, and experts from the dazzling craft stalls at giveaway prices. Land reverberates with activities. Thousands of Rajasthani woman have arrived dressed in their finest clothes in near neon colors. I watch trained monkeys, painted cows and cobra’s dance. There are no adequate words can describe how this helter skelter overwhelms my 5 senses. It’s the European cathedrals and museums. For me, this exotic and cultural immersion exposure is the journey!
Included in the land, we returned to camp. Every night there is entertainment under the stars with musicians, folk dancers, puppet show or fire eaters. Alcohol is not allowed here and all the food is vegetarian children. An ayurveda center offers care to clean the body of toxins. We reject their forced vomiting, enemas, nasal drainage and blood letting.
We tour the holy city of Pushkar the holy lake created by Lord Brahma. Pilgrims came from afar to bathe in the ghats and worship round the clock. We learn about religions here: Zorastrism, Sihkism, from the Sufi mystic, Jainists that will not kill a mosquito, Hinduism that claims no absolute truth and the caste system. We tour temples at the lake; some “blessed” by priests. Later, a highlight for me is a one hour Camel Cart Safari behind the screen that fair. Children line our route shouting to us “hi, hello, one pen please!” We see a camel slaughtered and half naked people washing. Back in the yard, we visited an orphanage and scatter individually to get lost in the summer revelry. Spitting camel ride our big high for us to give a perspective of this. I bought a dozen garnet necklaces and silver anklet. Teenage boys approach Terry to her image. He’s 6′5”. Politely as a one-Him, “Sir, what you eat?”
We are a beautiful group!
There are endless food courts, but must pass all enticements to prevent “Delhi Belly.” I find the cacophony of chaos fun. Pushkar is a party that really matters to us is only a local and loyal guests. I’m so grateful for such experiences, but the time to continue with our busy itinerary.
We arrive to the famed “Pink City” of Jaipur, now more maroon from pollution. Tourism in the palace, fort and architectural marvels, we learn a lot from government and Amber maharajahs of Moghul empire. History come alive, and I find myself so interested in what I never cared about. And here is a shopper’s paradise for silk sarees, Gems, jewelry and marble crafts. I visited an animal sanctuary called “Help In Suffering.” The worst cases of various types treated here by volunteer veterinarians. Forty five stray dogs are sterilized daily, and witness an operation. (See www.HIS-INDIA.com) you can check your mail to help them.
On the ‘Help In Suffering’ dog spaying Make a donation Volunteer vets talk with Suzy
On to see the grand Fatehpur Sikri, “Ghost Town Akbar” is abandoned because of lack of water. We finally reach Agra, a city of 2.5 million damaged. Hawkers harass us. Chained bears dance for rupees in the street. Hungry children beg. We are very grateful for lodging at the deluxe Sheraton here with western cuisine and affordable massages at $ 20. Galaxy as he changed from the city center.
After witnessing an eyeful of wonders along the way, we’ve saved the best for last in the world award for the love. Goosebumps rise as I enter the gateway to the majestic Taj Mahal. Illuminates the morning sun as flawless pearl … 22 years to build by 200,000 men with 2 million pieces of stone-inlaid semi-precious stones. After a lecture on why this perfect symmetry is created for Queen Mumtaz, we disperse to see the photos what the mirage. Poetry in architecture and luxurious as you can imagine.
Back in Jakarta, we all enjoy the day free to explore a holiday as we choose! Most go shopping as prices are extravagantly low but Pashmina one does not need to fabric? For our last night we enjoy a show called “dance of India” followed by a farewell feast our Last (Indian) Supper.
I remises another journey well done with excellent guides, drivers, assistance and accommodation. I remember when my favorite at the time that happens I just hired two “body guides” to help me through the group, and Jamal Ranshi. The two boys 11 years of bonded me like barnacles and their faces beaming smile will forever remain etched in the memory of India. This trip has renewed my curiosity of the world reminding me again that my love of travel proliferates itself. The more I see, I want to see more.
This country is for the seasoned traveler. I am very impressed with the fortitude and patience of the 60 people in the land of erratic infrastructure. For the first few visits to their third world, but they all persevered like pros. To witness suffering first hand is a way to fully appreciate the house. We see things both appalling and happy. The word “interesting” but it will shorten the entire journey. I have to go back again.