जोधपुर - The Train To Jodhpur

Now we are headed into Western Rajasthan. Into the lands of desert forts (dessert forks?). A six hour train ride turned into an all day event, but not an unpleasant one. This was our first experience of the Indian railway system. We traveled 2nd class a/c sleeper. As the train eventually pulled into the station at Jaipur the crowds were evident stuffed into the third class carriages and looking quite ragged after the train’s overnight journey from Varanasi. Memories flooded back of the many long train rides that we took thirty years ago, always traveling on the cheapest class available, bodies strewn around and across us sleeping in any available space. Our sleeper section was relatively empty and we were lucky enough to be seated by a lovely newlywed couple from the Punjab. Their English was great and they made excellent companions for our journey. They shared their food with us and Cindy got to try on one of the new bride's wedding gift saris and looked quite elegant in pink silk with gold sequined trim.
Jonathan and Cynthia are on their plane from London as I write headed to Jodhpur (above)where we look forward to a joyful reunion with old friends.
They say that India brings you back to yourself. That you are coerced into asking yourself important questions about what is most treasured in life. This process is discomforting. There are not always ready answers. Still, the burgeoning life in India reflects all those inner workings leaving us satisfied, longing, melancholy, enthralled, disheveled, enraptured, hopeful, engaged. Torn apart and cobbled together again. Integrating all the stimuli cannot be rushed and adds up eventually to the totality of who we are.