We began our 6 hour journey to Kota early
and hustled our way through an already bustling Jaipur towards the rural roads
of Rajasthan. Since days of old
the Indians’ working and waking hours have been the same, with little or no
electricity it is a necessity to wake at dawn and get going. The formidable
heat of peak summer also generates a new favorite time of day – basically,
before or after it gets hot. This kind of explained why our driver had done
laps of the park at 4am that morning (even though it was dark…not quite sure
about that) and why every city and village is a hive of activity at these
times.
Until now our journeys had consisted of
long stretches of desolate landscapes, broken up by huge sprawling cities and
only the crazy roads with their camels, cows and goats in between. As we
reached rural Rajasthan this began to change, dramatically.
We entered a lush
world of colour, smiling faces, rolling hills and farming and it was magical.
We de-toured from the main highway, due to road works, which in turn led to a
trip highlight. We entered the captivating world of local, entrepreneurial communities,
living off a single, common water pump and an intent joie de vivre.
Road works became giant potholes, traffic
lights became goats and zebra crossings became pot-smoking grannies chilling in
the road. Children played games, running around the village causing
uninterrupted chaos and their parents watched on from roadside shacks, which either
housed them and / or provided their modest local produce selling income.
We
stopped momentarily at another precarious railway crossing, at which Kan Singh
and I jumped out of the car, much to mums horror, to grab a bag of freshly
baked monkey nuts in a newspaper bag, of which she devoured most. Delicious. We
witnessed the intimate, personal moment of a father bathing his child under the
local taps and elderly men catching up on the latest gossip, playing checkers
and getting their hair trimmed at the local barbers.
A strong agricultural area, there was a
constant stream of farmers with their herds and women in their exquisite saris
tending the harvest. In a truly magical moment we spotted newly born goats
hitching rides in satchels, loosely slung over the backs of a drove of donkeys.
Tiny, pristine black and white fluffy heads took in the scenery as they bobbed
up and down in their pouches, making haste to their destination.
It was an uplifting journey that warmed our
hearts. Not only were these communities surviving off the land and the few
local resources they had, if their attitudes and beaming smiles were anything
to go by, they were thriving.
Our journey ended in Kota at the farm of
Vicky and VJ Singh. Their beautiful, rural, welcoming home further complimented
by their 6 new arrivals - gorgeous puppies. Now I’m a sucker for dogs anyway
but these little dudes had me at hello.
Vicky and VJ’s home was set amongst 3 acres
of farming land that was preparing to be harvested. Along with cows for fresh
milk and yoghurt, they had papaya trees to provide fresh fruit in our tummies
every day. It was heaven.
