Indiana Gawnes

Thanks for commenting!
We have been in India for nine days now and are certainly getting a feel for the country. Varanasi and the Ganges River was interesting but very dirty, busy, smelly and touristy. The Indians view the river as a god and pilgrims come from all over to bathe in its dirty holiness. All Indians aim to get cremated in the ganges, but if they don't make it in time they just throw their ashes into it. The oldest son or daughter has to light their parent on fire... how hard would that be! After boat riding through the dirt and ashes it was pleasant to go out into the Indian 'countryside' and breathe fresh air. We went on another bike ride, after El's disastrous cycle in Kathmandu, and this time Eli was much more confident. The cycle was through a bird sanctuary and there were roads (with only a few potholes) so it was fairly easy going.
We've visited a few traditional villages and have seen the locals cook, clean and work, often with no or limited electricity or water. I feel very spoilt having living such an easy life in Aust!
India has many forts/temples/palaces, mainly built in the 16th century. They are usually very ornate and the entertaining tour guides give informative histories and excessive jokes involving 1000 wives and viagra. One maharana in Rajahstan had 1600 wives who all lived in the one palace with their own rooms. The wives were rarely seen in public and had their own balconies (covred) to view the activitie in the palace. There is such a massiv difference between the lives of different Indians - there are still beggars in the streets while others live in secluded luxury.

We've been in Udaipur for a few days now & it seems much cleaner than other cities. Yesterday afternoon we took a boat ride on the Lake and watched the sunset. Beautiful! The palace on the Lake was in one of the James Bond films 'Octopussy' so the Indians are very proud of it. We were hassled by shopkeepers and beggars in the streets of Jaipur and it is so nice to wonder around without this. We've been having a great time. El has a bit of 'Delhi belly' even though we don't get to Delhi until tomorrow! (Overnight train tonight). We are enjoying the warmer weather, especially the nights. Some of the Indian hotels are very cold. Sometimes the rooms have their own specific air conditioning such as gaps at the windows or holes in the walls covered by wire. OK in the summer but not the winter!
We will be spending 3-4 days in Delhi and then fly home. It feels like we've been away for months! Delhi, like many other Indian cities, is (supposedly) very polluted and busy. The persistance of the shopkeepers is admirable but also, after an hour or so, very annoying. We are hoping to visit the unique bazaars and markets and put our new found skills of haggling into practice. Eliza is very clever at this but I find myself buying more than I intended.
Hope you are all well. Looking forward to my comfortable, clean bed and some cuddles from Zip.
Kathie & Eliza.