We have arrived in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan on Diwali on the day the Indian stock market has just hit its record high and President Obama is winging his way toward India. The place is wild!
A bit like Times Square on New Years Eve wild…times a hundred. The streets are packed with people going every which way, which of course is the Indian way. Rickshaws and buses and motorcycles and pedestrians and BOOM! fireworks above your head and at your feet.
We cut down a narrow side street and see the most amazing sight. Women are walking, some together and some on their own, very peacefully, carrying small red clay dishes, each with a single candle in it. Some of the women have a tray with five or ten or more candles and others have just one. I watch as they move through the narrow street lit only by the lights in each shop until they stop in front of a small temple shrine and place their candles with the others that are already there.
The contrast between the chaos and the calm is striking. India’s scale of balance again at work.
Things are going to start changing for us again. Today we leave Jaipur and drive to the Ranthanbore wild game preserve in search of the elusive Bengal tiger. I hope to be able to get lucky and show you a tiger or two.
All of us are enjoying your comments and we look forward to each one. Thanks for keeping them coming.
gone'splorin 
all I can say it all looks like a movie spectacular!
WOW how beautiful Your trip looks so great planned well
Dad MJ
Talk about right place, right time. Must be amazing.Obama must be pretty happy to be far, far away from all the mess back home.
Love the posts — so fabulous. Love the photos — more please.
On our way to the boat, winterized the engines. we feel we are with you. The colors are amazing there. Live seems so vibrant. This collection would make a wonderful read for kids. It would motivate them to want to know more. It does the for us. Hope we get to see tigers. Looking forward to your next entry.
Thank you so much for the hit of Diwali. It is such an amazing experience that combines wild exuberance and quiet reverence all at the same time. In reading your various posts, it seems that India has captured your heart! Long may she reign.
Love
Cheshta and Sudas
Just caught up on your posts. Great stuff. Michael, never knew you were such a prolific writer. Curious as to the language barrier. Tell us, do alot of the Indians speak English? Are you able to converse with them?