Post from Tim:
India is far too vast and varied a country to "do" in a month or two. It offers landscapes ranging from the Himalaya mountain range to the western Thar desert, plus the central plateau, plains, foothills, and islands. And of course, a billion people speaking 18 major languages and 1600 minor languages or dialects.
Michelle and I are here for a short amount of time by Indian travel standards. I find myself apologizing that I am traveling through India for, "...only four to six weeks." Only! Yet with only four to six weeks, we must confine our visit to a few states and major cities.
Our first stop is the western state of Rajasthan - a desert land of old palaces, surly camels, sturdy forts, kaleidoscopic saris, sweet incense, twisting market roads, and of course - cows and trash in the street.
Rajasthan's only hill station is Mount Abu, a 1200-meter high plateau popular with domestic travelers and honeymooners for its cool climate and good views. We arrived this morning on a 13 hour night train from Bombay and received our first taste of honeymoon spirit on a shared jeep up the mountain, where two newlywed couples sat across from us holding hands and making eyes at each other.
From its soft-serve ice cream parlors to fabric stores, Mount Abu is a tourist destination in full swing. But it is unlike the many destinations in India and southeast Asia that cater to western tastes. The vendors don't sell gaudy travel clothes and internet cafes don't take up half the retail space. And why not? Because Mount Abu is almost entirely a tourist destination for Indians. And as such, it is a great place to watch Indians out having fun.
Tonight we followed the evening crowds to the popular Sunset Point on the edge of the Mount Abu plateau. While we walked, others passed by us on out of control wagon-sized pushcarts. Few things can bring a smile to my face more quickly than watching several Indian women in bright saris being propelled at breakneck speeds up and down hills by a turban wearing men. Think Calvin and Hobbes in India.
The crowd watched the sunset while I watched the crowd. Most of the spectators were in playful moods and, compared to me in my grungy travel clothes, were surprisingly colorful and well dressed. As the sun set, camera toting photographers flashed photo albums and promised beautiful photos of newlyweds with the setting sun perched between them. Meanwhile, a young shoeless girl in a dirty orange dress tried unsuccessfully to sell chai from a stainless steel container that she skillfully balanced on her head. A few minutes later, another seller caught my eye with the color of her sari. Its brilliant red matched perfectly with the tomatoes she had for sale on a silver platter.
Mount Abu was a nice change from the culture of western tourists that we are so used to. I don't know if I'd come for my honeymoon, but I'm glad I had the chance to go.
Michelle and I are here for a short amount of time by Indian travel standards. I find myself apologizing that I am traveling through India for, "...only four to six weeks." Only! Yet with only four to six weeks, we must confine our visit to a few states and major cities.
Our first stop is the western state of Rajasthan - a desert land of old palaces, surly camels, sturdy forts, kaleidoscopic saris, sweet incense, twisting market roads, and of course - cows and trash in the street.
Rajasthan's only hill station is Mount Abu, a 1200-meter high plateau popular with domestic travelers and honeymooners for its cool climate and good views. We arrived this morning on a 13 hour night train from Bombay and received our first taste of honeymoon spirit on a shared jeep up the mountain, where two newlywed couples sat across from us holding hands and making eyes at each other.
From its soft-serve ice cream parlors to fabric stores, Mount Abu is a tourist destination in full swing. But it is unlike the many destinations in India and southeast Asia that cater to western tastes. The vendors don't sell gaudy travel clothes and internet cafes don't take up half the retail space. And why not? Because Mount Abu is almost entirely a tourist destination for Indians. And as such, it is a great place to watch Indians out having fun.
Tonight we followed the evening crowds to the popular Sunset Point on the edge of the Mount Abu plateau. While we walked, others passed by us on out of control wagon-sized pushcarts. Few things can bring a smile to my face more quickly than watching several Indian women in bright saris being propelled at breakneck speeds up and down hills by a turban wearing men. Think Calvin and Hobbes in India.
The crowd watched the sunset while I watched the crowd. Most of the spectators were in playful moods and, compared to me in my grungy travel clothes, were surprisingly colorful and well dressed. As the sun set, camera toting photographers flashed photo albums and promised beautiful photos of newlyweds with the setting sun perched between them. Meanwhile, a young shoeless girl in a dirty orange dress tried unsuccessfully to sell chai from a stainless steel container that she skillfully balanced on her head. A few minutes later, another seller caught my eye with the color of her sari. Its brilliant red matched perfectly with the tomatoes she had for sale on a silver platter.
Mount Abu was a nice change from the culture of western tourists that we are so used to. I don't know if I'd come for my honeymoon, but I'm glad I had the chance to go.
Photos From This Location
