jan14

January 13-

We started off the day by doing what we seem to do best-- shopping. We spent several hours in a textile factory where Caitlin had a raw silk sewn on to a patch work quilt to make it into a duvet cover and Jan and I ended up buying an antique patchwork quilt that we had made into a wall hanging. We then went driving through the country side and the highlight was visiting the best preserved temple we have seen so far in India. This Jain Temple was in some very hilly countryside that was very reminiscent of Ranthambhore's terrain (Tiger Park). We arrived in Udaipur and after settling into another beautiful hotel, we strolled through a local market. I am starting to worry about leaving my daughter and wife for two more weeks in India unattended in the shopping mecca of India but I am looking forward to getting back to work. This trip has been far better than I ever thought could be possible.

January 14th-

Went to see the City Palace of Udaipur which is surrounded by 3 man made lakes that are over 500 years old. The water level is very low right now because they have not had a significant monsoon season since 2006. We went and saw the City Palace museum and the Princess Gardens. What was really interesting today is the end of the 1 month that the gods in the Hindu religion are on holidays/ 'sleeping' so no one gets married between Dec14-Jan14. Today marks that period and so everyone is buying tons of good grass to feed the cows and all the very poor villagers come to the Hindu temple to receive food, candies and money. All these acts are done to please the gods who are now awake and to help your Karma.

This afternoon we are going to Monsoon palace, where the king and his family go during the rainy season. It's on top of a large hill and supposedly has a spectacular view of the whole city.

This will be my last post until I get home. My daughter and wife will continue to tell us the details are of the southern part of India, this may be a slightly more colourful version than what I have written.