With the risk of sounding like the opening paragraph to Lonely Planets travel guide to India ... How does one really describe a first visit here? Well, actually, one cannot. But I will endeavour to do my best... Everything and I mean EVERTHING about India that I have read, researched and heard from friends that have travelled here ... is correct. Overwhelming, exhausting, enlightening, humbling, filthy, incredible, beautiful. Love it ... Hate it.
We have not had a gentle introduction to India and I do not think that this is even possible. You either dive in - or stay away. Although perhaps arriving on her beaches as a first destination may have been less of a shock - but you still have to GET there! And it's the getting around that's the challenge of course. Once at a destination, be it a palace, a fort, a textile factory, a Haveli (heritage hotel), all is well. Right now, we are staying in a city in Jodhpur, Rajasthan in a 500 year old Haveli, that was once home to kings. It is incredible, like nothing I have seen before and has intense energy. You really feel the lives lived here all those hundreds of years ago. Solid marble flooring, ornate limestone ceilings that are over 14 feet high. Quiet courtyards. Antiques and relics from another era. A time when Maharajas ruled this land...
And the boys are watching Tom and Jerry on TV. Outside our doors is a magnificant fort, palaces and markets that sell Rajasthan jewellery, silks, handicrafts and other incredble items we have no room for. But we cannot see it all... The boys need some TV time today, as strange as that sounds ... especially coming from me - the Mum that vehemently despises TV. Ben especially is overwhelmed by this country the most.. Today he does not want to leave the Haveli. He is happy to watch TV and forget where he is and how challenging his world has just become. Jordan is eating each new experience up for breakfast, lunch and dinner. He is fearless and I have never seen him so full of life. His questions are exhausting but also so rewarding. He gets it. He gets why we are here and loves the chaos. Our first auto-rickshaw ride in Jaipur (the capital of Rajasthan) was like nothing we have ever experienced. Out of the hotel, into the auto and we were wisked away into another dimension. I have never seen chaos like it before. There is no road rules here. No one has indicators on anything, unless you consider three loud beeps or a moo from a cow and indication that yes, I will now be ruthlessly cutting you off and going about my day. There are cows, donkeys, elephants and camels on the street, in the traffic, all carting something about - except for the cows who seem to have no designated role except to just sit wherever the heck they please, as much to say - "go around me please". And so we do. Jordan almost had a taste of a cows behind as we swiftly swerved to divert 10 inch potholes and motorcyles with a death wish. He thought this was hilarious. Ben was not impressed. The look of motification on Bens face was priceless. Jordan and I were laughing hysterically at madness of it all, but not Ben. His CPU was processing it very differently. But what we did quickly realise after our knuckles were turning opaque, was that it all works. No accidents did we see, no one flipping the bird to another driver, no road rage at all. Everyone just on with their day...
We have so many stories to share already, like the pigeon pooping on Jordans head (supposedly bringing good luck), to paying way more than I should of at a textile factory for tailored Indian clothes, to experiencing our first Indian railway station and train ride. I feel more confident in Indian dress and garner less attention with a scarf over my head in public. The kids are a point of attraction for sure and for Ben, this is what keeps him from feeling comfortable on the streets. Jordan keeps asking me " Mum .. are we famous .. I feel famous!". Bless this wonderful child of mine. So many stories - I have to pinch myself to be sure I am not dreaming.
So back to Tom and Jerry. We have experienced so much these past 4 days since arriving in India, that it feels like a week or more. We are exhausted and I am still strugging with digestive issues. So for a few hours, the boys sit and watch the Cartoon Network or National Geo. Wild. This gives them a sense of comfort I think, that their old world may just still exist! Are we homesick? Yes. It will take us a little longer to settle in - if that is even possible. It would be easy to bail ... Make our way back to Delhi to catch the first plane out of here. It has crossed my mind. This would be Bens choice. But no ..... Tommorrow we dive deeper into this colourful desert state of Rajasthan to the town of Jaisalmer, on the edge of India, where we stay in an 858 year old fort and ride camels at sunset into the Thar desert.... More soon! xx
hi ben and jordan have a good trip (Willem's contribution to the email!) both of us have been reading the blog and Willem wanted to say hi. :)
I hope you have a nice break in the Haveli and all get rejuvenated for the next part of your adventure. The pictures and stories you are telling are both great! All the best, lynda and Willem
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Victoria
6/9/2013 02:03:42 am
Hi Willem! So glad you are reading about all our adventures. Tell Mum and Dad to bring you to India one day! Xx
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Daddy Hubby
5/9/2013 09:00:36 am
Still laughing at Jordan's comment.
So proud of you guys for doing this!
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Victoria
6/9/2013 02:16:58 am
Wish you were here! Miss you xx
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Marie Rainville
5/9/2013 09:15:58 am
Unbelievable! Victoria, what a fantastic experience you are living with those boys! Tell Ben to hang in there, he'll be so glad to have all of those memories once it's over. I am travelling with you through your words and photos, it's GREAT! Take care, enjoy!
We love to get your blogs Victoria. Maddy and I snuggle together and read them and it feels like we are there with you. We look forward to each new post. So proud of all of you! "Don't press pause, Press Play!" Love Marlene and Maddy
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Victoria
6/9/2013 02:18:56 am
So glad you and Maddy are following! Wonderful to experience this through the kids eyes. xx
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Lisa Boulay
5/9/2013 10:20:40 pm
Sat Naam Victoria, Jordan and Ben. Your vivid description of your experiences is so real I feel like I'm there! Be well!
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Victoria
6/9/2013 02:21:06 am
Thanks Lisa... Miss yoga classes, looking forward to Rishikesh! Sat Nam xx
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chantale
6/9/2013 11:03:38 am
How about you get me one of those beautiful Indian rugs..can you handle that in your backpack (ha ha..)
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Kelley
8/9/2013 06:57:00 am
Gorgeously written! I smiled the whole way through.
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Duncan, Cathy and Peter
10/9/2013 10:31:50 am
Get blog !!- enjoying hearing the trials, tribulations and great rewards of your travels. Thanks for sharing and allowing us to live vicariously through your words. Keep up the marvelous descriptions and more importantly your thoughts and visions as you move through your trip. All calm here on the western front.
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Betty Cushing
3/12/2013 04:46:47 am
Victoria, I am Alexandra B's aunt, your blog is so good. We will be in India in 2weeks(2ndx). You r a brave Mother, your boys will appreciate it all for years. Take care...
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