So now we are in the beautiful small town of Orchha. It's incredibly nice to get away from the madness of Delhi and be in a small town where the locals look you in the eye and smile. We took an overnight train from Delhi to the town of Jhansi, outside of Orchha and it was quite the experience. It's high travel season now so the trains are really heavily booked so we are getting 3rd class - fine for a 4 hour trip, but not so great for an overnight. Poor Mel had the bottom bunk and everytime she opened her eyes there was a new Indian man staring her in the face or using her bunk to sit down. Asses and eyeballs in her face all night long!
In Orchha, we arrived at 5:30 am and just in time to hear the Muslim call to prayer over the massive speakers that go throughout the small village. Went back to bed for a bit and woke up to some sightseeing. The temples and palaces here are absolutely stunning, and we had a great time running around them and finding all the hiding places and secret stairwells. Mel and I climbed to the top of a mountain and found a small temple where a sadhu was waiting inside and he blessed us. Very cool!
Randi met a great local family who invited her into their home and she drank chai and had great conversation. I will say that of all the places I've traveled, the locals here in Orchha are some of the most warm and friendly. They all want to practice their English and the local children do not hesitate to talk to you and ask you questions. I have now told probably 87 children my birthdate, where I'm from, and if I'm married. People here are incredibly concerned with marital status. They appear quite relieved when I say I'm married, but then when I say no children (yet) they immediately want know why, what's happened, and how I've gone wrong. They are so genuine about it!
Off on an early morning train tomorrow to Khajuraho (the birthplace of the Kama Sutra).
Maybe you can bring me back one of the local babies or kids? Just an idea. Christine
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