INDIA. North Route. Turistic Rajasthan

We are in the most touristic regions of India, Rajasthan.

 

It's the most different, the landscape (everything is more arid), customs, people. It is the image that is sold all over India: here if you see men in turbans, women with even more striking colors and bejeweled, and above all many monuments (forts and palaces of the Maharajas).

We were pleasantly surprised this area. Whether we had been warned by scamming tourists and general harassment, but the truth has been very smooth journey. We should be immune from or we look so hard to crack that dare not disturb. When we are in a good mood (almost always) they take the hair and talked with young men (are those in the hunt for unwary), but at the end of the evening usually ignored simply tired of the same questions (where we are, as we call it, if we want to see your store, etc.).. Come on, that we even have invited chai (Indian tea) and talked with nothing in return.

And so it has been all over the north since we returned from our visit to Nepal. It shows many more tourists this area in general throughout the north, the hostel are better, cleaner (still paying on average about 4 or 5 Euros for a double room with bathroom). Warm water is what usually fails sometimes (give it in buckets when no heater) and these days we need it.

Since the beginning of year has come a wave of cold and fog. They are nothing usual these temperatures, has been canceled flights, delayed trains, especially in Delhi. It was not in our plans and endure cold at night and this is when the temperature is very low (about 5 degrees). The problem were the days when the fog has not failed to see the sun when it is hot and can be in style.

People are not accustomed or prepared (there is almost no indoor, no heating), is intoxicated by setting fire to anything flammable are, above all trash to keep warm in the streets. 

For 2 years no rain in Rajasthan, the monsoon arrives and they are drying up the lakes ... so the idyllic image with palaces surrounded by water seems to only be able to see the posters and photos. Here it seems that climate change is worse than elsewhere. Normal, with so much pollution.

We have had great variety of experiences in the north of the country. Varanasi or Benares as it was called before, is a city apart, those who have a unique atmosphere in this global world.

The edge of the Ganges with its ghats (stairs), activity (bathing, shaved, gifts, food ...) and people wandering throughout the day: men, some women, pilgrims, tourists Indians (not just religion ) and some foreigners, Brahmins (priests), some serious, some quirky, characters mix of Bob Marley (with joint and all) and Mahadma Gandi, sacred cows and cagadoras (takes advantage of the pats, put them to dry for fuel), dogs mangy goats.

And cremations. It demystifies death. We were spectators like many other tourists and we should be very sensitive but not close our eyes at any time, or to see the feet that do not want to burn, nor the faces of those unknown dead. No smell of flesh, nor of burning hair, or took away the appetite, so we will continue to enjoy the roast. That if you have to keep an open mind to understand this city, may not be a suitable place for sensitive minds and bodies.

Pleasantly surprised by the Taj Mahal , see it in the fog, with red walls and doors that almost never go in the photos. Quite touristy and more to view photos, see it in situ is different.

Another new thing was the temple of the Sikhs (another religion, its men are characterized by a special turban, his size and his beard), is at Amritsar . Has an excellent organization with a complete infrastructure to accommodate the pilgrims (including foreigners), providing food, transportation stations, doctor's office, all for free. So there we were aware of the Golden Temple, gorria eating and sleeping. That if we also did volunteer peeling peas.

These days we have been in the desert Indian. Less desert is the desert we have seen, with bushes and cattle (including cows). There are some small dunes and with that and riding the "camel safari." Go mount, expensive, but people will happy, willing to pay.

In short, the impression we had until now, that this country was little changed, has changed here in Rajasthan.

We're in retreat to Bombay because we are about 2 weeks of travel. The experience was interesting and we've been finding that little bit special dot the country. That if it sounded as of spirituality, we perceive nothing. Even here in the north it shows even less the religious Hindu.

Nothing more for now. We hope to have a good return. At least, the expectations have been met and in principle, but would not return to this country, it really is a place to visit at least once in life.