Rajasthani Holibags!

Back home at Devnar after my second epic Indian holiday.

Our last job before escaping school was to test LKG with various activities. They did us proud. Anna and I were able to go off and enjoy the School holidays.

Spending most my days in one building it’s easy to forget just how insanely huge India is. From all the inexhaustible options, we opted for venturing North to the state of Rajasthan. A mere 1300 kms from Hyderabad (to put that into perspective, the entire length of the UK, Lands end to john O 'Groats is 970kms). In true backpacker style sleeper train being the cheapest option was the way to go.  15 quid to go that far and back! Plus meals thanks to our incredibly generous fellow passengers. Four days on board in total, an adventure in itself. 

Arrived at Ajmer station at 3am where we were greeted by the amazing and very brave Emily and Kat (forever grateful for their sacrifice of a good night’s sleep!). Our fellow PT volunteers were on holiday from their School in Gujarat.

Cracked the trusty guidebook open, let the tourism begin! Being in the privileged position of living in the same country I’m traveling in does give me a different perspective and makes my tourist periods feel like another life.

Anyway, Ajmer seems to be the place for Jain temples. Jainsm is an ancient religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings and spirituality which involves freeing oneself from bodily pleasures. I was blown away with the beauty and intricacy of the temples. One temple containing the entire creation story in a dazzling diorama crafted hundreds of years ago contrasted with the open air of a brand new garden temple complex.

 

Section of the Diorama

Jainism wasn’t the only religion we discovered. Visited my first ever mosque, careful to dress appropriately. Enjoyed quietly meandering through this beautiful building.

Next on our whistle-stop tour was an old mountain colonial post. We all clambered into an already full jeep and twisted up hairpin bends that defied logic. Rewarded for stomach churning ride with breathtaking views. Turns out people live all the way up here, the mountaintop town was full on narrow alleyways and sadly beggars.

Back safe on the ground, we relaxed by the lake. I had another first timing, yep never been on a Pedalo before.

Friend Emily - Happy about being able to relax while we do all the peddaling

  

The sights of Ajmer were thoroughly seen. 



A cramped bus ride and bumpy auto ride later we reached Barefoot College.

 

Riding in style - amazed we didn't lose anyone when the driver got lost on the bumpy desert road!

 Now this was a dream come true for me. Since my time came as a child when the wrongs of the world were revealed to me it become an obsession to know all about the problems and solutions. So long before gap years were on the horizon I discovered the works of Barefoot thanks to that famous TED Talk. At that time the thought of possibly visiting the College would have been laughable. But, a sign of crazy my life has become I found myself standing in the gateway a mere 2 years later. It exceeded all my expectations. They really know what they’re doing in providing numerous community development programs. It would take an entire new blog to do these works justice; I encourage you to check out their website.

Posing with a some of the local women who make biodegradable affordable sanitary pads to help provide sanitation

 

Campus is solar powered

Solar Granny rom Mexico showed me what she's been learning in order to take back to her village and electrify it

Solar Grannies learn to engineer all this, looks really complicated

Puppets are used by the communication team to educate people and act as go betweens during disputes

Locally made solar power cooker

 

Traditional musicians. Great music, new friends taught us how to dance

Met lots of engaging and inspiring people, both residents and visitors. 





Sad to leave but the lure of Scenic Pushkar was too hard to resist!
 

Bathing ghats line the edge of Pushkar lake

Temple

Pushkar was the most beautiful and touristy place I’ve ever been in India so far. As a beautiful ancient Hindu pilgrimage site drawing the devout to the lake with bathing Ghats and temples the place attracts visitors from all over the world. I loved it here wandering the narrow streets glimpsing monkeys, admiring beautiful architecture and spotting temples. Views from the rooftop restaurants of the knife-edge hills and Mirror Lake were sublime. Not all gazing around in wonder though, managed to do some things I’ve always wanted to do. Got my ears and nose pierced for a fiver (don’t worry it was safe and clean). And even better GALLOPED through the desert on a MARWARI! 

Two incredibly cramped bus rides later we arrived in Bikaner.

Camel time! These lumpy beasts had drawn us all the way up there to trek in the desert. This genius plan was to go in the winter to save my poor ginger self from sizzling to a crisp under the desert sun. So instead of frying it was freezing! Wore a woolen jumper and my new woolen shawl most of the time. The riding was actually very relaxing, rocking along on a camel letting my troubles drift away. Fresh cooked curry sustained us. Slept that night under the stars with all the creature comforts and two duvets to insulate us from the desert chill. Up to masala omelets and riding back to civilization.   

Just in time for Bikaner Camel Festival. As we were staying with the camelman himself we got the most out the experience. The tourist office dressed us in Traditional Rajasthani costume then paraded us on horse-drawn carts alongside decorated camels. Cue waving at adoring crowds and posing for photos, we all felt like royalty. The celebrations congregated in the football stadium where we were treated to dancing, camels and dancing camels. Quite a spectacle.

No time to rest, sleeper train at midnight. Of course no sleeping was possible in freezing compartment. Five hours later we all stumbled tired and grumpy into the dark of Jodhpur.
Tour of Jodhpur in a space auto revealed beautiful gardens, palaces and the bustling Sardar Market.

Last day was spent exploring Mehrangarh Fort, the iconic fort which looms over the blue city. Off to an exciting start with not one but six zipwires zigzaging  across the battlements and rocky ravines surround the fort. Now as someone with a height phobia this was a daunting prospect. But determined to make the most of my time in India I went for it. It. Was. Awesome. Best way to experience the stunning views by flying past them! 


 

View of the fort from Jodhpurs

View of Jodphur from the fort

Celebrated our survival by exploring the fort which we thoroughly audio guided. Fantastic building steeped in history.
Sadly our holiday came to an end - didn’t want to say goodbye to our fellow travelers. It was fantastic to catch up with them and compare teaching experiences. We had an amazing time and had some unforgettable experiences.
Glad to be back at school though. Every time my holidays end it feels like coming home when I return to Devnar. Great to catch up with the children and staff.
Time has flown by and I’m almost five months in. Almost halfway already which is scary but motivating. Need to make the most of what time I have left. I’ve got a lot I want to teach my pupils and some projects in the works.
Again I’m amazed by how unbelievably lucky I am. Been able to visit the jungle in one holiday and the desert in the other all in the same country. Thanks a million to everyone who has supported me in this.