More rambling around ruins

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So much has happened over this last week that I'll never be able to write it all down so I'll just give you a rough outline of what I've been up to.
I had a fantastic time in Bombay! As soon as I stepped off the train I loved it. Unlike most Indian cities, which tend to be just a polluted urban sprawl, Bombay has character! Indeed with its red double deckers and colonial architecture I almost felt like I was in London! I spent a few days there and in that time I had a look at the ruins on Elephanta island, saw the amazing dhobi wallahs (washer men) at work, went to see Shar Rukh Kan's new film Veer-Zaara (the best bollywood film I've ever seen!), was proposed to on Chowpatty beach(!!!!), and became friends with a man who goes by the name of Cosmo the magician.
Since then I've been looking at some more ruins. On friday I went to the Ellora caves, a mixture of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples. These were really fun as to get a look at them all you had to do some proper exploring and climb, torch in hand, through bat infested chambers up into the hill side.
Yesterday I went to the Ajanta caves - probably the most amazing thing I have ever seen. Exclusively Buddhist, the sculptures and in particular the paintings have such power in them that they make you just stop and stare. Even if you do not know who the figures are or their significance they instantly command respect. Their remote setting adds to the feeling that you are no longer in the present day world.
One huge difference I find when visiting places of religious significance here(as apposed to visiting them in Britain) is that you actually see people worshiping in them! If ever I go to a cathedral or church back home it almost feels like a museum, not so here. In all the mosques, temples and churches I have been to here there are always people falling down on there knees to pray or bringing gifts to offer to their deity. I think that will always be a part of india no matter how much everything else changes.
Last night I went out to dinner at the house of one of the reception workers at my hotel with Kimiko (a Japanese friend of mine). We had quite a good time until, once we were stuffed with rice and rather tipsy from indian whisky, the man and his wife start saying that 18 is a good marrying age and that I should be looking for a husband. I laugh and say that where I come from 18 is far too young to be married. But then they bring in their son and start telling me about how they want a good wife for him and what a good country Britain is! I politely told them I wasn't interested and after a while we got away. Still in future I don't think I'll be going to any more Indian's houses!

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Comments

[anonymous]

veer zaara
omg u saw that film-that is so wicked good on u gal-i loved that film..hope ur doing ok.... - anjalli

[anonymous]

~envy~
Wow!! I can't begin to explain how envious I am of you. Maybe not about the proposal bit, but everything else sounds as if you're having the time of your life. Especially the caves, I wish I could see them with you too. Still, I remain in Cardiff and will have to wait a further 20 years before i finally can go travelling to any appreciable degree. Continue to have fun and remember your friends back home. Thoughts and prayers, Mark xxx - Mark