Into The Desert

We flew North from Mumbai to the state of Gujarat to the city of Bhuj, the major town of Kutch. The topology is completely different from other areas. It is basically desert. It reminds me of the area around Santa Fe. It could be used as a setting for westerns.

We walked around the old part of the city. Dirt roads, lots of cows (watch where you walk). There is an old Palace of the Maharajah that was destroyed in the recent earthquake. The area we are staying in is predominately Muslim. Lots of mosques and you hear the call to prayer coming from many different directions. I have always enjoyed hearing it.

Not only does our Hotel serve only vegetarian food, but the whole city is Vegetarian. The entire State of Gujarat is also dry and there is no alcohol sold or served. We smuggled 2 bottles in our suitcase, but can only drink in our room.

We will be traveling to the Tribal Areas near the Pakistan Border and the area is prohibited except with special permission from the Police. We spend 3 hours at the police station in Bhuj getting the proper papers signed.

We then went to a very tiny village. The bus drove as far as it could down a dirt lane. Occasionally the driver’s assistant would get out of the bus with a large wooden stick, and raise the power lines overhead, so they wouldn’t touch the buss as we crept down the lane.

The bus finally stopped and walked down a narrow dirt path. Adults and little kids would come out of their house and stare at us, then say Hello and ask your name. I think that was the only English that they knew. The kids followed us down the path, until we arrived at a settlement of approximately 5 houses. The village leader has acquired textiles, dresses, etc. from the people via a kind of barter system. He has an enormous collection. They spread old blankets out on the dirt path and started showing his textiles to sell. We were surrounded by the villagers, who quietly watched as we looked at and bought things that interested us. The kids were very shy and cute. Things probably haven’t changed much in this village in the last few hundred years.

Throughout this trip I have been wearing various Obama Tee Shirts. People are very pleased. When I am asked where I am from I always say “Obama” and they invariably reply: America.

After shopping in this tiny village we returned to our hotel for a vegetarian meal, then retreated to our room for a glass of clandestine wine. I wonder if people are ever thrown in jail for drinking in their room.