“I was conscious that I was experiencing something unforgettable, one of those magical moments which we only understand when it has passed. I was entirely in the present, with no past, no future, absorbed in experiencing the morning, the music, the sweetness and the unexpected prayer. I entered a state of worship and ectasy and gratitude for being in the world. I understood once again that the grandeur of God reveals itself through simple things.“
~Paulo Coelho
The moment I arrived in Udaiper, I knew that it was something special. It’s said to be the most romantic place in India, but maybe the reason I fell in love with Udaiper is because of its proximity to Lake Pichola. As a Cancer, I’m always at my happiest when I’m near water.
The first day in Udaipur, I followed the “usual” tourist agenda. In the morning, I had henna painted on my hand and arm.
In the afternoon, I visited the City Palace (largest palace in India, built over the span of 300 years)…
Another City Palace shot. As you can see, it’s quite stunning…
Next, there was a stop to Jagdish Mandir, a Vishnu temple in the heart of the “tourist strip.” There was some sort of ceremony going on while I was visiting and I got admonished for taking this picture. Tourist SNAFU.
The following day, my introvert self felt like being alone so I went to read and write at a cafe along the bank of Lake Pichola. Little did I know that this was going to be the most interesting day of them all.
The revelation that I made in Udaiper is that when you travel alone, you become a fascination. So many people want to know the story of the solo traveler and approach to talk. Immediately, I met another writer from America. Her name is Lisa, she’s awesome and she’s traveled all over South America on her own. I also met four Europeans.
After I’d had my fill of reading, writing, and meeting fellow travelers, I decided to wander some more. Wow, the things you see in India. Like women doing their laundry in Lake Pichola…
And a little girl standing next to a big cow…
Then solo me bumped into a friendly motorcyclist. And after some conversation and a cup of Chai tea, I hopped on the back of his motorcycle, and he took me to the less “touristy” part of Udaiper. First, there was a small island where I took pictures of all the exotic plants.
Paradise…
Then we visited Shilpgram, a cultural museum featuring rural arts and crafts. Afterwards, we drove through what seemed like a mountain rainforest to the Monsoon Palace to watch the sunset. At that moment, riding on the back of a motorbike through some of the most beautiful terrain on earth, monkeys visible in trees, the wind whipping my hair, a thought arose:
“This is what it feels like to really live.”
Later, the motorcyclist invited me to an Indian wedding reception. Marvelous.
The two of us capped off the night drinking whiskey on a rooftop and watching fireworks (from the wedding reception) on the other side of Lake Pichola.