Easy 3 hr drive from Jaipur to Pushkar on a bright, sunny day. We had a glorious dream like moment. Our driver pulled off the road at a public pool that had what looked like an open yoga terrace with 25 women reclining in their rainbow of saris and scarves.
I thought they were yogis. And our driver gestured to me to go take photos of them. I felt awkward about doing that, so I walked slowly towards one corner of the place and I sat down, just looking around; checking out the scene. The ladies there seemed responsive and warm. After a few minutes a large woman came over, reaching down and pulling me up to stand. She pulled me into the middle of the whole group of women, who were getting a kick out of this. Then she pushed me to sit down in a forceful and clumsy way. And I felt I was in the sea of Shakti energy and I was being carted off to live with my tribe whom I’ve been unknowingly searching for all these years. They radiated joy and fun. We were having a love fest together. Their heads were all covered in red and pink and gold. It was a bewitching tapestry of merriment. I was thinking- what to do?
I led them in some laughing yoga and then a child with a balloon hat appeared and Allynn came around the corner and I got up and our driver said it was time to go. Our driver said they were napping – resting after they’d been working. Maybe in the farms- no idea- what a happy group they were.
Pushkar was right up the road and the Indian size town I’ve been hoping to find here. It’s small, clean and a charming village sized town with a temple for Brahma. It’s on a lovely lake and is a spiritual destination for Hindus. We checked into a fantastic hotel that looks like an ancient desert palace with courtyards and gardens and separate stone cottages.
Had lunch and headed back to town to hook up with our English speaking guide. He took us thru the temple and down to the lake.
Then he left and Allynn and I strolled the shopping area.
I found a few things and leaving a shop, I saw that Allynn was in full swing with his balloons decorating the street. He bought a wooden cobra snake toy and we watched the camels giving rides as dark fell upon us and an amazing day was drawing to a close under a starry sky.
Good night from the magic land of Rajhastan!
Annie