Pushkar - Shall we just stay here forever??

We have been in Pushkar 10 days now! Time has quickly passed by and it took quite a while to calculate the days spent here this morning, they seem to have all rolled into one! Sightseeing wise there is not much to do here, which is great! There is no pressure to visit monuments or temples, life here is easy. With no expectations their town allows you to roam freely, offering plenty of quirky delights along the way. We haven't had to take one rickshaw or auto car here, it's great to rely on our feet once again!

Last night we walked around the lesser explored sight streets leading away from the bazaar. As dusk fell, people lit candles in their windows giving their homes an incredible feeling of warmth. We walked slowly, taking the opportunity to grab a quick glimpse in each flickering window as we wandered by. I used to love doing that at home too when I went walking with Henry. Not in an invasive stalker like way of course!!! I am just always intrigued by peoples homes as it gives a tangible picture of those inside.

We followed the maze of narrow streets. The buildings towered high with their walls growing wider as your eye ascended, akin to an optical illusion. The smell of dinners cooking was devine, the culmination of spices lingering in the air teasing our bellies! Many people came to their doors greeting us with a warm smile and a hearty Namasté.

After following the path we were led into a small square. There were kids happily playing on a mound of sand, crashing rocks into it creating an explosion of dust and grit. Cows lay sleepily beside them. A group of four women sat, monitoring the kids from afar. They laughed and joked, joyful eyes and shy grins. One of them was heavily pregnant and her bright sari extended far from where the other ladies stopped!

An Indian lady came out of her home to say hello and I stopped to speak to her for a while. She invited me into her come and her daughter gave me a beautiful henna tattoo on my hand. It was so great to have the opportunity to sit and talk with them as the chance seldom comes along in India. Either the women are simply not around or if they are, they haven no english. I was so greatful for this chance encounter.

Nina outside her lovely home

Waiting for the Henna to dry

We followed the streets back towards the bazaar to answer our rumbling tummies! One of the best things about Pushkar is its wonderful rooftop restaurants and so we went to one of our favourites that overlooks the Holy Lake. We sat and watched the monkeys jump from roof to roof, some of them carrying tiny babies, others stopping in a group for a chat (they were probably the men!)

                           

There's so many delicious dishes to chose from. I usually pick a spicy Indian, Luke has grown very fond of the Israeli dishes of hummus and falaffel. We eat, swapping the dishes back and forth until there isn't a scrap of food left on the plate! Before leaving, Luke had a quick game of pool with the two lads who wash the dishes. Everytime the manager came down and told them off but they persisted and didn't return to the kitchen until they had Luke beaten!

Luke putting on a brave face although about to be beaten!

One of the biggest teases here are the clothes. Handmade outlets line the entire length of the bazaar. The owner sits in front with his antique singer sewing machine, stitching patterns of cottons and silks. The silk tops and dresses are to die for, and although cheap by western standards, they reach far outside our daily backpacking budget. I did however make one great purchase of a pair of seriously baggy cotton pants which are super cool. They cost 250rupees which is about €3.50...Penny's eat your heart out!! This morning I also found a stall, with a sale box on the already super cheap clothes!!! I got two skirts, a dress and a top for 50rupees each which is 70cent! All Indian silk! It's the first shopping spree I've had since leaving home and I am delighted with myself!!

me skirt!

It's wedding season here at the moment. Most nights since we've been here we've been caught up in a wedding procession! At night the party ventures out onto the streets and they dance their way through the town. The group is led by a mobile orchestra consisting of men playing miniature organs, bongo drums and guitars. Their musicianship leaves a lot to be desired! Next comes the revellers who dance around in circles, dressed in decorative costumes with their sequins sparkling merrily as they jump to and fro. Following this lot is a nice convertible car chauffeuring the groom (not sure where the bride is actually?!), or as seen in this video, a ridiculously over dressed horse! And at the back of the group is one poor guy pushing the generator which powers the lanterns that the young girls/boys carry alongside the procession. It is quite a spectacle!!

I watched the procession with these two little Indian girls

When we go back to the guest house Luke writes songs and I doodle in my book.

my sketchbook from Nepal

I'm missing my tool box full of goodies and so make do with a black ink pen...

My two loves...Luke and Chai!

You might get a better idea now of why we are so content here! Every day we decide we will leave the following day but that has not happened yet. We ACTUALLY are leaving tomorrow....maybe!