Trip to India: December 17 Post 1

Posted by Laurie English on December 17th, 2009 filed in SpaNomad Adventures!

Post 1 of 1

Last night in Pushkar

Indian men notice the finer details. I dressed today in more regalia.  Anklets on both legs, 4 brilliant bangles on each arm, a Rajasthani necklace, hammered earrings, and a Rajasthani belt. I could see the appraising eyes and often both men and women commented on how lovely this or that was. (I ended up giving away some of my bangles this evening to a shopkeeper’s mother who was admiring them)  I spent 780 rupees total and I feel like a million bucks.  Truly I love this place.

I’m already imagining myself back home and feeling a bit overdone, perhaps too showy.  I’m going to savor this decadent normalness for just one more day.  Tomorrow evening I catch a sleeper bus from the enchanting little town of Pushkar to Delhi.  We leave at 7:30 p.m. and arrive in Delhi at around 6 a.m.  From there, I fly direct to Chicago and then on to home — snowy Santa Fe.

Although I’m not looking forward to Delhi I just went into a beautiful restaurant, Om Shanti, and saw the Rajasthani tents that I was lusting after at home in the USA.  So, one last shopping detail before I leave that’s making Delhi seem somewhat inviting to me.

On another note, I saw Baba, the cosmic head massage barber, this morning.  His shop was the meeting place for Antonella (the fabulous Italian woman who introduced us) and I.  Baba, hospitality embodied, came out and offered me a great neck, shoulder, back and arm massage since I was the first person in his shop.

Here in Pushkar, perhaps in India?, the first person to give you money or grace your shop is quite special. It’s the sign of more prosperity and a good omen. 

Today I also learned the difference between the two ubiquitous greetings the people here call  out “Ram Ram” and “Namaste.” They both signify “hello” but the former is in the Rajasthani tongue while the latter is Hindi.

You almost can’t pass a shop owner without them trying to lure you in. After saying “Namaste” you get a running commentary on all the services and wares they have to offer.  If you decide to linger, look, or talk you then get invited to chai.  If they really like you they invite you to a meal to meet their family.

Today was an interesting day, three people invited me to dinner.  I don’t even know the etiquette of how to deal with that.  We’ll see how it all turns out.

I feel honored.

So, tomorrow I pack, I ship, I say my goodbyes and I get some more Indian head massage.  What a nice life, huh?

This has definitely been THE BEST SpaNomad Adventure ever!

-Laurie