Incredible India and Pushkar Journal

We arrived in the land of 1000 languages ​​and 1000 gods. At Intercontinental, the women in my group were welcomed with marigolds and branded with the typical red dot on our foreheads. The hotel is a luxury oasis in a city of 14 million people.

Two days are spent visiting Delhi. Mandatory sites include Gandhi's Tomb and many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There is no place where ancient tradition blends with modernity on a scale so clear as in Delhi. The sacred Brahma fatwa prevents traffic causing delays. In this Hindu land, the government of cattle. Dogs, monkeys and children cross at their own risk.

I love seasoned foods and start every day with 3 breakfast alarms. We were led by trainers to Rajasthan, a beautiful desert state where cows were replaced by camels. The air is sweeter and everything is more vibrant. Here is a microcosm of all that India.

People are gentle in their spirit and still light in front of strangers. We kept walking through our windows to people who were looking up in curiosity and were like, "why are you here?" As a third-world fan, this place has been on my wishlist for many years. I'm now into the element of travel that gives me fear.

We came to attend the Camel Annual Exhibition in Pushkar which has been going on for a thousand years. As the world's largest, it has topped 50,000 camels with 200,000 traders. We unpacked the camp at Exotic Adventures. Our tents do indeed have friendly toilets but toilet paper at a premium price. There was a guard for 24 hours outside who hated our quota.

In the desert, the nights are hot and hot. I told a guest there from the American Embassy that I felt like I was in the episode "Survivor." He laughed to convince me that it was all worth it. Before long, I was shocked when I entered the exhibition site.

Situated on a rolling rock of sand dunes with camels and pilgrims flooding, the scene looks absolutely spectacular. It's like a State Party on steroids. There will be horse rides, bulls and camels, milking contests, animal grooming, turbans, tattoo and snake dancers, free carnival rides, mystics, astrologers and dazzling handcrafted booths. Land echoes with activity. Thousands of Rajasthani women have arrived dressed in their neon tops in neon colors. I watched trained monkeys, recorded cows and cobra dances. No words can describe how this template overcame my 5 senses. Other people can have Europe with its cathedral and museum. For me, this exotic exposure and cultural immersion is a major journey!

Covered with dust, we returned to the camp. Every night there is entertainment under the stars with musicians, folk dancers, puppet shows or firefighters. No alcohol is allowed here and all meals are vegetarian buffets. Ayurvedic centers offer treatment to cleanse body toxins. We reject it: vomiting caused, enema, nasal drainage and blood drainage.

We visited the holy city of Pushkar with its sacred lake made by Lord Brahma. Pilgrims come from far away to bathe in ghats and worship all the time. We learn about religion here: Zorastrism, Sihkism, Sufi mysticism, Jainists who would not kill mosquitoes, Hinduism that claimed no absolute truth and caste system. We visited the temple on the lake; some were "blessed" by the priests. Then, one highlight for me was the one hour Safari Cart Safari behind the scenes. The kids lined our path shouting at us "hi, hello, pen!"

We saw camels slaughtered and half naked people washing. Back in the field, we visit orphanages and disperse individually to get lost in the fever festivities. We ride the big camels that give us a higher perspective of everything. I bought a dozen garnet necklaces and silver ankle bracelets. The teenage boys approached Terry to take a picture of him. A gentleman asked him, "Sir, what are you eating?"

There are endless food courts, but we have to go through all the signs to avoid the "Delhi Belly." I found the chaos interesting. Pushkar is a party affair for locals and we are the only guests. I am very grateful to have had that time but to continue our busy journey.

We arrived at the famous "Pink City" in Jaipur, now far from pollution. In visiting palaces, fortresses and architectural wonders, we learn about the great Amber ruler and the Moghul kingdom. Life history and I find myself so interested in what I never care about. And here is a buyer's paradise for silk sarees, gems, jewelry and marble crafts. I visited an animal shelter called "Help in Suffering." The worst cases of various species are treated here by a veterinarian. Forty-five wild dogs are sterilized daily and I watch surgery. It is seen seeing Fatehpur Sikri, the "Ghost City of Akbara" abandoned due to lack of water. We finally reach Agra, a city of 2.5 million. The hawkers are interrupting us. Bear bears dancing for rupees on the way. Hungry kids beg. We are grateful to rent out the deluxe Sheraton here with western cuisine and a reasonable order of $ 20. It's like a galaxy change from downtown.

After witnessing the wonders of miracles along the way, we have saved the best of the last in the world's greatest honor to love. Goosebumps rose as I entered the magnificent entrance to the Taj Mahal. The morning sun shines like a perfect pearl. 22 years old to be built by 200,000 men with 2 million pieces of inlaid stone. After a lecture on why this perfect symmetry was made for Queen Mumtaz, we spread the picture to see what mirrors. It is a poem in architecture and as beautiful as you can imagine.

Back in Delhi, we all enjoy a free day of exploring as we choose! Most go shopping because the price is too high but how many Pashmina scarves are needed? For our last evening, we enjoyed a performance called "Indian Dance" followed by our last Supper (India) farewell celebration.

I miss the other trips very well with excellent guides, guides, help and accommodation. I remember my favorite moment of the show when I hired two "bodyguards" to help me through the crowd, Jamal and Ranshi. The two 11-year-old boys were bound to me as if in a trance and their smiling faces would forever be etched into my memories in India. This visit renewed my curiosity of a world that reminded me again of my travel ambitions. The more I see, the more I want to see.

This country is for experienced travelers. I am amazed at the perseverance and patience of my group of 60 people in a volatile infrastructure. For some it was their first visit to the third world but they all waited for good. To see first-hand suffering is the best way to value your home. We see things that are horrible and happy. The word "interesting" however encompasses the whole journey. I have to go back again.

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