Tour of plenty

It seems that the tour operator was telling the truth when he said that we would have a good time. We have travelled a long, long way and seen some amazing sights. Some perhaps that you wouldn't want to see!

Yesterday we were in a small town called Mandawa (in Rajasthan) where we slept in the most amazing bed - about 8ft square. Our room was in a havali (old building) and opened out onto a small courtyard with pretty paintings. Today we moved a further 170km (ish) west and are staying in another good hotel - it seems that the tour guy didn't listen to us when we said we wanted to travel budget style. We are enjoying it though!

This afternoon we visited a temple not far from here where rats roam freely (everywhere!) and if they scamper across your feet you are blessed with good luck. Ed was not impressed, even less so when he realised that it was an actual temple and he was expected to take his shoes off! We have visited a variety of different places that have enlightened us and allowed us to see further into the Indian culture. I was particularly moved and upset by a 'begging' family (father, mother, child of 5 and small baby) who performed to us whilst we were eating last night. It will leave a lasting impression of how lucky we all actually are.

The roads are amazing and needless to say Ed's overtaking no longer scares me!

Hope you are all well - Ed's email is now back in working order and dinothedog.blogspot.com is just overcoming his jet lag and will be reporting his adventures soon.

xxx