Long way to go

I'm back in the travel mode again, moving to a new city every three or four days. Somehow we managed to make it out of Udaipur after four nights in that beautiful room, which is pretty impressive. Our haveli, Lake Shore, was in Hanuman Ghat, a much more quiet section of town and right on Lake Pichola. The old city is really enchanting: winding small streets, picturesque lake views, lovely rooftop and waterfront restaurants.

Outside of the old city Udaipur feels like most other Indian cities: crowded, loud, hot, dirty. I guess there's something to be said for the tourist bubble.

We did some touristy stuff too: Udaipur Palace see photos, a boat ride to Jag Mandir Island (photos soon), and a 90-minute drive toRanakpur Temple (see photos), an amazing old Jain temple in the middle of the Rajasthani desert, nestled in a mountain valley.

The still-active temple has 1444 intricately carved pillars, none of which are the same. Strict rules were observed: no water or food in the temple, and Jonathan had to rent long pants since he was wearing shorts. Ami and her family are Jain, which leant significance to the visit as well. (She also speaks Gujurati and some Hindi, which has helped at some points in the trip.)

Friday (I think? I'm starting to forget days and barely check my clock any more) we took a 6am train to Pushkar, a city which is considered very holy; the whole town is supposed to be treated like a temple. It's situated around a lake as well, surrounded by 52 ghats.

I don't think we'll have a chance to do most of the standard Pushkar stuff, since the entire city is in preparation for Holi. Holi is a major holiday that I was in India for last year, but since I was in Goa and it's a Hindu holiday I didn't get to experience it much. However, it seems like it's going to be pretty crazy here. Besides the throwing of color (powdered paint) on everyone, there are also huge fires and singing and dancing. It sounds intense, but I'm excited for it, as is the rest of the city. Now I just need to go buy some white clothes.

I'm becoming conscious of time running out; two months in India is not enough. It takes sometimes a whole afternoon to book travel (you have to ask the same question many times many different ways to get a real answer), plus another day or two to accomplish it (nothing in India happens quickly, it's a great place to practice patience), so I'm scratching some places off my list. The big debate of the moment is whether to go to the Taj Mahal with Ami and Jonathan, since they're going and it's relatively close. I do want to see it, but I'd rather be with someone that I love, since it's a monument to love and all. When did I become such a cheeseball?

Anyway, we have tickets to Jaipur Monday, which I don't plan on spending much time in; I've been told it's not that great. So then either Agra or straight on to Rishikesh (via Delhi), where I'd like to spend a week or so. Decisions, decisions.