One of the exciting things about India is that it is so different from Canada and other Western countries, so looking out of the windows of the Truck your eyes don't know where to look because there is so much to take in. India grows on you as you come to understand its history, religions, and cultures, but its not an easy country to relate to because of these differences.
We had a very special moment when we stopped for a truck lunch. We turned off the main highway down a random very narrow, very steep, pebbly track. When the lane ran out, we were on the edge of a precipice with 2 water wells and 2 water falls cascading down two separate rock faces to a dried up river bed below - or they would have been cascading if there was any water in them, which of course there isn't. Underneath one of the falls was a cave. We learned that a sadhu was living in the cave. Our Nepalese guide Erwin went done to check out the situation and came back with the exciting news that the Sadhu didn't mind visitors, but Erwin suggested that in order not to intimidate him and to show him some respect, we go down in small groups. After lunch Ray and I walked the short distance down concrete steps, to the cave. It was an amazing experience to meet and talk to someone who has the confidence in himself to leave the mainstream and know that life will continue. Our Sadhu had lived in the cave for a year. He had some pets which he introduced to us - a beautiful parrot who comfortably perched on my finger or pictures after giving his consent, and a tiny baby owl who was too young to know any different. The Sadhu had given up life as a marketing manager in Kerala in the South to life a "simple life" in an attempt to get closer to God. He was incredibly good looking with the kindest smile in the world. We could have stayed chatting with him for a long time as he would with us. His English was excellent and he really badly wanted to show us his photos. In fact, a French man had visited and stayed for 3 months. Sadly, Dan called down to us that the Truck was leaving and we made our way back up the hill filled with one more image of kindness in India.
The towns in Northern India appear a little more Islamic but the scenes of mayhem and tons of people still abound.
The day passed all too quickly and we pulled off the road down a tiny farmer's lane to find a campsite. No sooner had we stopped the Truck than a chap appeared on a scooter. He explained to our leader that there was a wedding party on tonight and the locals would be drinking so best not to stay there. He was working on some land close by and we could camp there. One of the guides went on the bike and we followed in the Truck. We travelled a short distance and into a field where thy were clearing the stones to prepare the land or agriculture. Our guides indicated we were too close to the road and Ray and a few o the guys went out to source a camp site. They soon came back with the news that this chap would make a road or us to get to the back o the property behind a large mound which would provide protection for a perfect camp site behind the mound. So up came the backhoe to cut a road through, then the tractor with a load full of topping for the road, then the back hoe bladed it smooth and the road was finished. No money changed hands. The chap said his boss the landowner was developing the land for commercial purposes and he was happy to help in any way he could. An incredible act of kindness. We enjoyed the wedding music and drums through the night and then drifted into a peaceful sleep on top of our straw field bed.
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