Wednesday, May 1, 2013

My last day in India

I had to fly back to Bangalore before flying home because I bought a round-trip ticket (note to self, do NOT do that next time). I'd been complaining a bit about having to spend the money and time to go all the way back to South India from Delhi for just one day, but in the end it turned out to be a lovely time.

On my last day in India I...

had a great yoga practice in which I felt focused and strong for the first time in a while,

ate masala dosa and idli (both south Indian specialties) for breakfast. So delicious! I'm gonna miss these,

took a stroll around Bangalore, enjoying the big gorgeous trees, the traffic, the tuktuks, and the temples. Checked out the shop windows,

drank two coconuts. If I had it my way I'd never be without these beauties,

bought a strand of jasmine flowers for my hair, a sweet smelling luxury for just ten rupees,

admired the stacks of ripe mangoes, like piles of gems. Bought two and enjoyed them for lunch. They were the best ever. Plus I had some fresh mango juice, mmm,

thought about seeing a Bollywood movie, then decided against it when I saw the crowds of almost exclusively men piling inside. Not my scene. So instead I watched some Indian television for the first time. Quite entertaining I have to say,

repacked my backpack one final time. This is something I won't miss,

got a ride to the airport where I spent an uncomfortable night, beginning the long journey home.



masala dosa


idli + sambar and coconut chutney



street shot




movie posters



good trees



loaded



savored two of these lovelies. wish I didn't ever have to be without them


shop family


good backdrop for bananas


wedding jewels








buying strands jasmine feels incredibly luxurious



sweet smellin












jackfruit one


jackfruit two. Liz, did I ever tell you I tasted it? The flavor is kind of like pineapple but it has a smell like cooked onions. Quite odd














I bought two and ate them for lunch. They were some of the best I've ever tasted



mango man



they were super friendly



mango man two


mango juice. okay, I promise this is my last photo about mangoes






pressing sugar cane juice



streetside tattoo



eying the silvered sweets



Monday, April 29, 2013

Back in Delhi

From Pushkar I took an express train to Delhi. It was another nice train journey this time in an AC chair car that left in the afternoon and got to Delhi around 10:00pm. I sat next to a little boy and his sweet mother who was surprised (and somewhat concerned ) to learn that I'd been traveling alone for so long.

In Delhi for the second time I knew the ropes a tad bit better so I made sure to venture out of the Pahar Ganj main bazaar area frequented by tourists. I went to the National Gallery Art Museum one afternoon and fell absolutely in love with some of the pieces I saw there. The next day I braved the Delhi metro system which was so nice! Fast, cheap, air conditioned, and fairly easy to figure out. I went to Dilli Haat, a sort of bazaar where I looked at lots of folk art, then came back during rush hour when everyone had to squeeze like sardines to get on.

The morning of the day I was scheduled to fly to Bangalore I had this frantic feeling, this need to gather everything I love about Delhi and bring it home with me. Its impossible to do of course. So I guess I'll just have to come back.



that's my stuff on his head







another guesthouse, another room


one last thali


the mangoes are in full swing right now. I'm like: how can I leave this?!


cute stripey  melons






Delhi metro one



Delhi metro two



Delhi metro three



super sweet folk painting








amazing terracotta water jugs

A few more from Pushkar



ghats



Shiva lingams





Pushkar + jazz band. I loved this night






I was laying on the grass by the pool at a fancy hotel one day and this guy came walking up. big surprise!


bees receive sweet offerings to Brahma


best (and cheapest) guest house of the whole trip










my favorite place to eat in Pushkar


another tailor (his name is Hanuman), making a shirt for me


the nice monkeys