The painter of miniatures....

Meet Rakesh, a painter of miniatures on silk, who lives and works in Udaipur.  A few years back, I'd bought a painting on silk from another painter, but I am certainly glad I popped into Rakesh's shop.  A delightful fellow.  He treated me to a miniature of my own on my thumb. Mine is (still there--will last a week or so, he says) an elephant, and the peacock on the thumb you see above belongs to our group's leader, Jelena, who passed by and wanted one, too.

And don't you just love the tufts of hair on Rakesh's ears?  And his thumb!  My grandmother could do that, too; said she was double-jointed.

Daily Haiku

Elephant for me

And a peacock for my friend

You painted your heart

 

Peeking again....and one who peeks at me...

Most Indian hotels have a rooftop terrace, where food and drinks are served, and before or after a meal, of just to relax, people retreat there to catch an evening or early morning breeze.

Of course I'm up to my Peeping Tom tricks again.  I observed the man in the little room across the way prepare his meal, then calmly eat it.

And just before the sun set, this little bird was watching me.

Daily Haiku

Eating mindfully

Savoring every small bite

Increases pleasure

  

Keep your eyes on the stars....

The first photo is how I started my day in Pushkar at the wonderful cafe, Honey and Spice, run by an Indian man who was in the catering business in Europe before, but then branched our to health food and returned to India to open this place.  Every single thing I had for breakfast here in Pushkar was delicious....  The second is a graffito scribbled on the roof of our guest house...how true it is....and good advice.

The last photo is Pushkar's Mount Abu, whose steps' lights appear as stars.

Daily Haiku

We often lose sight

Of what really counts in life

Don't fail to see the stars  

Faces and veils

India is many things, but a country of fabulous faces and one ablaze with color are just two of its assets....  I never get tired of either.

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Lines in our faces

Tell the story of our lives

Smooth face means dull life! 

Monkey see, monkey do...

Probably not the best title for this duo of photos.  The top one shows the trio "Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil," while the bottom one is of a monkey that was performing with her partner in the street.  She shook my hand....

Daily Haiku

 In  monkeys' faces

We often see our own selves

Closer than you think....

THEME DAY-HEIGHTS--Behind the Taj Mahal....

Behind the Taj Mahal in Agra rises this tower, just over 85 meters....
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Our ambitions rise

Then sometimes suddenly fall

Stone towers still stand

  

Fatehpur Sikri....

Fatehpur Sikri was built by Akbar the Great, called so for his wisdom and open-mindedness.  It's incredibly beautiful, and well-worth a search on Google.  Unfortunately, it was not inhabited long, since there were problems with its water supply, and it soon became a ghost town.

I loved this little girl, who was happily scampering along under the watchful eye of her brother.

Daily Haiku

 Footsteps from the past

Blend with those of the present

Immortality

On the road to Agra

On the way from Jaipur to Agra.  Indian roads are not for the faint of heart.  Vehicles swerve crazily to avoid each other, there seem to be no rules of the road, and it's who's the most daring who wins. On the other hand, if you can sit back and relax, you'll enjoy the scenery and especially the modes of transport.  And when something's got four wheels (or even two, for that matter), and you've got to move merchandise, there's no limit to what you can pack on!

Our driver stopped for gas and instantly we were surrounded by trinket sellers. I bought two of these necklaces....not at all expensive.

I thought these tomatoes were strung along the back of this truck to bring good luck. Not so....it's just to show that the truck is carrying....tomatoes.


Daily Haiku

Hurry, quickly, rush

Madly down roads of our lives

And to arrive where?

 

Hurry, quickly, rush

Madly down roads of our lives

And to arrive where?

Monkeys, people, elephants....

 Sights of Jaipur. Above is a photo taken on the way back down from the Monkey Temple, the same one I visited in March of this year.  No monkeys in the photo, but lots at the temple, including an amazing number of baby monkeys.

 Schoolboys wave from a window in a school near the City Palace. Sort of looks like they're in jail, and I guess that's what all schoolkids think sometimes.

A sweet young girl proudly shows off her baby brother at the Elephant Village outside Jaipur.  This is a government-run facility.

Daily Haiku

Creatures great and small

All have their place in this world

Lest we not forget

When you don't visit the Amber Fort...

I've been to the Amber Fort in Jaipur twice, so I sat it out this time. Actually, I walked for a while, snapping away.  When the heat got to me, I sat inside the lower complex of the fort and was entertained by these three charming young men, who were offering their services as guides. I learned a few words of Hindi, wrote down English and French phrases for the one on the left, and the fellow in the middle invited me to his wedding....when his parents find a suitable bride for him.

Daily Haiku

Encounters by chance

While sitting doing nothing

Are often the best

On the way to Jaipur....

It's 18 hours by train from Varanasi to Jaipur, but for my traveling partner and me the time passed quickly.  Before we went to sleep and when we awoke we had the pleasure of the company of this delightful family.

I've promised them a photo!

Daily Haiku

All over the world

More alike than different

Sharing common bond