I'm in Pushkar now. It's a small desert town in the state of Rajasthan in west India. I LOVE it here. I realized the other day that in a lot of ways it reminds me of Texas.
The town is arranged around a sacred lake and I can walk everywhere I need to go. My eyes are fed by the gorgeous old buildings, cloud blue temples, and beautiful paintings. I've found lots of cuuute and healthy restaurants that I am thrilled to go to and am feeling so much more healthy and vibrant than I did in Varanasi. It is hot here too, but somehow seems more manageable. Or maybe I'm just getting used to it. Oh and the shopping here is outrageously good. Vintage embroidered shirts, tribal jewelry, amazing bags, the kinds of things I've coveted for my whole life!
Every morning I do my yoga alone on the balcony of my guest house beginning at 5:30am to beat the heat of the rising sun. Today I was visited by a little herd of silver monkeys; so funny and quite graceful. Feels like I'm getting the hang of doing self practice, though I'm looking forward to being in a group setting and having a teacher again when I get back to the U.S.
I think (I hope) the most difficult times are behind me. I'm glad to be here again!
The town is arranged around a sacred lake and I can walk everywhere I need to go. My eyes are fed by the gorgeous old buildings, cloud blue temples, and beautiful paintings. I've found lots of cuuute and healthy restaurants that I am thrilled to go to and am feeling so much more healthy and vibrant than I did in Varanasi. It is hot here too, but somehow seems more manageable. Or maybe I'm just getting used to it. Oh and the shopping here is outrageously good. Vintage embroidered shirts, tribal jewelry, amazing bags, the kinds of things I've coveted for my whole life!
Every morning I do my yoga alone on the balcony of my guest house beginning at 5:30am to beat the heat of the rising sun. Today I was visited by a little herd of silver monkeys; so funny and quite graceful. Feels like I'm getting the hang of doing self practice, though I'm looking forward to being in a group setting and having a teacher again when I get back to the U.S.
I think (I hope) the most difficult times are behind me. I'm glad to be here again!
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| when I first arrived |
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| the tailor |
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| still encountering new foods |
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| shade |
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| minnows receive the rose petal offerings |
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| sacred lake |
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| good lookin goat |
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| Pushkar from above |
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| I met this woman in a little cafe the other night and this photo doesn't at all capture her beauty. She reminded me so strongly of a picture I have of my mom when she was my age. I felt a kinship with her...like, this girl comes from the same place as me. And guess what?! Turns out she's originally from Dallas Texas. The first Texan I met since I've been here. She was a bit wild. Wise too. |
Wonderful, beautiful photo's! Thank you! I have questions about a lot of them. Also, what do they do with the cattle? Love, Mom
ReplyDeleteHaha, good question! They milk them, cook with the milk, and make curd (yoghurt). They absolutely do not eat them. Cows are sacred and I'm pretty sure killing them is illegal. They also let them wander around pretty much everywhere, feed them compost scraps, let them eat trash, shoo them out of shops and houses, honk at them, anoint them, pray to them, and dry their dung into round chips for fuel. Just to name a few things...I'm sure there's more
DeleteDo they eat the goats? or are they all pretty much vegetarian? What were the new food items? they look similar to some kind of squash. is this your last stop before returning? Happy Birthday - soon!!
ReplyDeleteLove, Liz
Some people eat mutton and chicken, many are vegetarian. I think it depends where you are. In some cities it's illegal to sell meat or alcohol at all. But even in those places people will kill and eat a chicken once in a while. And of course the young guys can always get their hands on a beer.
DeleteLove the photos (as usual). That picture of the trees and their shadows is transfixing. Reminds me of Dali's "Swans Reflecting Elephants" painting. http://www.edali.org/swans-reflecting-elephants.jsp
ReplyDeleteHope you'll post the picture of the old-school Rajasthani guy.
Love,
dad
ooooh! you're right. thanks for that link. love it
DeleteHello, Are you still there? I keep looking for new information. It's been too many days. Please send something soon!! We miss your messages.
ReplyDeleteLove you, Liz and Mark