postcard from India (5)

Hello again!!

I just wanted to tell you a little bit about street life here in the city of Rishikesh..... and it's a very varied street life! There are certain areas where the tourists go, and there are other areas where life goes on from day to day. I spent most of my time in the tourist areas but also had a look around the rest of the city just to compare it to Allahabad, and see if life flows on the same here in the north as it does there. 

 I've concluded that Indian life is much the same in both. Although these people are much more used to Westerners and seem to have a different sense of time from those in Allahabad, they still don't have the urgency and intensity of western people. The main difference I noticed, was that even though they all  work hard, they are driven by the clock, and don't have as much time for chai breaks at the drop of a hat!! 

Overall its a much cleaner city than Allahabad. The water and air are much better, although the noise pollution is just as bad. It's really a great place to visit, and its rather relaxing if you can find a hotel a little out of the way from the noise, but still close enough to walk to everything. 

Overlooking the city from Laxman Jhula bridge. It takes 25 minutes to walk from my hotel to this part of town. This bridge is a suspension bridge that only takes pedestrians and motor bikes. Everywhere you can walk, the motor bikes can go as well, so you always have to keep one ear on where the bikes are going!! Being a pedestrian in India is far too hectic, really!! 

The view from my favourite cafe overlooking the Ganga. This was just a great spot to come and relax and meet people. I had so much fun and good conversation in this place and the owners were very nice and didn't care how long you stayed or what you did. 

Incidentally, the cost for food is so cheap in India - for three great meals with dessert and drink, I lived really well and only paid about $8 a day. 

Typical street scape in the market place in Rishikesh. It can be very crowded with people an bikes and there's always a lot of cows everywhere you go. There are markets all over the city and they are lots of fun. 

I thought this friendly fellow looked rather cool!! 

There's always a seedy side to life in India and Rishikesh is no exception. Cattle in this city (like most cities in India) never eat grass and instead eat all the rubbish thats left around. I've seen them eat plastic bags and they love cardboard boxes.....mmmm yum!! 

This guy was great. He's got a good sense of humour and is just there to keep the tourists entertained really. His costume is handmade and has some relation to past Indian culture but I cant tell you more than that. Most of the beads that he wears are mantra beads and theres a certain number of them. I think you use them like you would rosary beads. 

  

The local popcorn guy. Great popcorn but if you looked closely at the wok he cooks it in, then you probably wouldn't buy any. I've seen popcorn vendors in every city I've been in. 

Typical street vendor. I dont buy food from these guys anymore, after being sick in Allahabad, but its generally very yummy. I don't know what he's cooking here, but the cooking pot looks rather scundgy! 

We think this guy might be a eunuch, but were not quite sure. There's still over 2 million eunuchs in India today. 

I got a big smile out of this lady, after I made a few jokes and told her how beautiful she was. Of course, she got a few rupees as well. 

This old lady makes her living from cooking these things (can't remember the name of them). She sits here day after day, year after year. She always smiles and I'm happy to give her some money to help her life a bit. 

This lady lives where she sits, with her husband and their two year old son. All their possessions are just to the right, out of the picture. They beg for money by day and sleep here at night. It's such a common sight here in India, although the level of poverty in Rishikesh is nothing like Allahabad. 

See you all soon, I fly home shortly!!