Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Still in Holy town

well, i hung out under my same tree and sure enough the the crazy holy man came by and sat next to me. Again he spoke Hindu to me for 15-20 minutes praying and hands to the sky occasionally. Nice man, hard to believe some of these people dedicate their whole life to god(or gods) never marry, own nothing but the clothes on his back a walking stick, and small bag w/comb, paper, pen and that is about all his worldly belongings. Just walking from holy site to holy site.
I skipped supper and walked to a different wine shop but just as far from town through the dark busy place, but sadly beer was war. The man was trying though, as he was puting 5 at a ime into a clay pot of water that was about as warm as the beer was.
oh well, spoke to many locals there then walked to town and had the tastiest veg. sandwiches.....then went to hotel and chatted w/2 girls from Europe that were drinking whiskey from bottle and had just returned in the dark from original wine shop.........haha. We laughed at the craziness of no meat or booze in this holy town.
Today, once again India has me frustrated as i want to go to Bundi, a small relaxing town nestled amonst the trees i hear, ,but the travel agents don't sell tickets to there, so i have asked about 4-5 people what time last bus from Ajmer was(30 minutes from here)......but they all quickly say they do not know. Do they really not know? or just saying that as they aren't making money off me so cannot be bothered (people in business w/tourists over money aren't as nice as normal local, the greed for money spoils them)
so yeah here i am still in this holy little town, not wanting to waste 6 hours travelling during the day, yet having no idea the last bus from ajmer. And if i go there too late, then i'll have to spend night and waste the day tomorrow if i miss the final bus today.
I could really scream now.
Good thing some type of strike is going on...carpets are spread out on the street and loads of people are having a peaceful sit in. I'm not sure why they are striking..........heck this being india most of them probably don't know either.
Tuesday today i think. I have another huge problem, as i must meet Laura in Bombay late Saturday night, and Saturday march 3rd, is HOLI, a huge festival in which people throw water/coloured dust on everyone (to celebrate the beginning of spring/end of winter) I've heard about it. Crazy street festival and fun, but all buses/trains/hotels will be booked solid, and I have no credit card to pre book. I may have to check my backpack in at train/bus station and sleep on the street or ? I also cannot pre buy my ticket to Bombay as i don't know which town I'll be in on Friday, so i'm a bit unsure how things'll work out oh well........let my fate and karma decide what'll be, and how it will turn out. I am quite curious myself. India is one of the few countries i'd totally feel safe sleeping on the street. Why not? Millions of others do everyday. Be safe, Sawka

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Forget about fate and Karma. I have a better idea. Meet me at the airport.
Chances are good the "Holy man" was praying for your life, as he knows what will happen if you don't meet me!!

Anonymous said...

Hello Chris - sounds like you're having a great time - your letters are sooooo interesting! One last thing- enough rest under the tree - you better make sure you meet Laura at that airport on time!!!!!

dolores

Anonymous said...

Hey thanks fro sharing your experiences...and seems like you are having a great time...and hey since the festival of Holi is almost here also drop by my blog on Holi Festivities sometime soon and enjoy all the fun and laughter it's filed up with!!!