Udaipur

Another long drive was ahead of us and we we're both getting tired of the monotonous scenery of villages and rural fields. We were ready to tackle on another 6 hours drive to Udaipur. A lakeside town that I had only heard amazing things about from fellow travelers and friends that has visited there. The drive was actually a nice change as we went through a windy mountain range that then turned into plants, trees and fresh mountain air....ahhhh. It was a blessing to escape the pollution of the big cities. We booked two nights at an amazing guesthouse called Mountain Ridge. Set 6 km away from the town and judging from the directions, I knew our driver was going to think we were crazy. The bumpy narrow road that twisted up this small mountain ridge seemed like the wrong way BUT when we reached the peak there stood this house built of stone and glass with the most magnificent view of the surrounding mountains. It was a little piece of heaven. Piers the owner of the guesthouse has called Udaipur home for many years as he landed there to take are of his sick mother. Originally from England, he felt that when his mother fell ill, he felt India would be the right place to get proper care. Long story short, his mother passed on and he has now taken on the Nepalese family that looked after his mother. Staying here is like going to visit friends for the weekend. It's full of fun, laughs, great home cooked meals at a communal table and everyone sharing stories about why they are traveling in India and learning about each others lives. A family was staying there originally from Alaska but now calls Indonesia there home. They were plain and simple....amazing & awesome. The parents were both teachers at an international school and there kids aged 8 & 10 (their son turned 10 while we were there and we celebrated with a roundtable happy birthday chant and homemade ice cream cake- what a great memory to celebrate your 10th birthday).They have lived in a few countries throughout Asia and have traveled to several international destinations. Is it really possible to backpack with kids, YES! These kids were so culturally inclined and a great example of what I hope I can do one day for my children. It was a refreshing sight and the family was the perfect role model for me. The negative talk that was always thrown at me about traveling with children was now turned into another positive. Ahhhhh! The 10th birthday party ended in the kids and some of the adults going to bed early and the rest of us learning a traditional Indian dance using small sticks called Dandiya Raas- (click on the link to view). It felt like an Indian rave with the volume level at max and the strobe light pulsing to each beat. After our brief stint learning the traditional dance, the rave then turned into a Bollywood dance circle. It was Ahhhhmazing. Now just to work on my Bollywood moves.....any dance instructors out there that specialize in it please contact me.
I have to mention that one of my most favourite and memorable times of my whole trip was here. Adrienne and I both purchased some jewelry from a local metalsmith who had such a kind heart. We spent over an hour chatting with him again about life and connecting on a level that sometimes takes years to develop with people at home- but here at this little shop with this kind man the connection was authentic and instant. He was so grateful and appreciative that we purchased some goods from him since their big festival Diwali was coming and this was a sign of good luck. It's very interesting that when you pay for something the money is always blessed and thanked and offered to their god before putting it away. When you meet good humans like this, it erases any negative energy about the ones that hassle or try to scam you all the time. I left that little shop with a huge smile on my face, feeling uplifted, light and grateful for our little afternoon chai party with him. (See photo below) Times like this spoke so much and made the most impact on what i'll remember.

Udaipur was one of my favourite places, it's laid back, no pressure, friendly vibe makes you want to stay a while.