We left at 6 30am this morning, early enough to watch the sunrise, and began our 5 hour drive to Jodhpur. Driving here really is something else. I thank Ganesha every time we arrive at our destination... She is the elephant God of good luck.
I've really grown to appreciate the Hindu religion. Looking at the ancient temples, its clear how much ancient Indians appreciated women. When talking about a God and his wife, you always say the wife's name first out of respect. The carvings in the old temples show women baring their nude breasts and decorating their torsos with jewelry. India is also referred to as The Motherland, verses so many other countries who refer to their homeland as Fatherland. It's really a breath of fresh air to see the female body, mind, and spirit so celebrated.
Of course, this all changed with the Muslin influence that came into India, and with the knowledge exchange of arts, sciences, math, etc also came the suppression of women.
I would have loved to visit India in its pure state.
Nevertheless, the Indian woman's clothing never seizes to amaze me. Everything from gorgeous hand embroidered silk, to inexpensive light breezy cotton with traditional block printing patterns, the women of India are the coral of the sea that is the city streets. The old and the young, the rich an the poor- everyone dresses in bright rich colors that are only repeated in the spices and strings of flowers sold in the markets. I love it! It's so happy!
Today we visited the palace museum, the palace fort, and the palace cremation grounds. Out of the three, the cremation grounds were my favorite. Placed on a hill high above the noise pollution if the city, is a white temple and many smaller temples. The smaller temples are were royals are cremated, as well as immediate family. The main temple is where ceremonies take place. The structure was white with sea-foam green wooden shutters... The combination was amazing! The grounds are built on the natural red stone of the land, so the contrast was bold... Dusty rusty land and polished white marble temple. The combination along with the view was simply amazing! The circling hawks and vultures only added to the morbidly beautiful sight. I took lots of photos here but all on my big camera, so you'll have to wait and see!
Tonight, we rest. Waking up at 5 30 and driving 6 hours and then touring for another 3 really sucked the life out of us. I love our hotel room... My favorite so far! We have a tiny seating room with rustic wooden furniture and simple cushions, divided from the main room by a wooden countertop, and then two simple beds that are raised oddly high above the ground. We overlook the courtyard and the screens on the windows are the old fashioned metal kind that you cant poke holes through. The layout is really cozy and the old wood everywhere it just feels like home! too bad we are only here for one night. We found an English TV Channel and, JUST OUR LUCK, terminator 3 is on! TRIPLE SCORE! Beggars can't be choosers I guess.
Ciao Bella's and Bello's!
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