Assault on the Senses

For anyone who has never travelled here, India's a little hard to put into words. At least for me, initially, words that make it sound appealing and encourage others to come + experience it themselves. That's because India is a a study in contrasts - Both ugly and beautiful at once. After only 11 days and 3 cities (one of which was Delhi and almost doesn't count), I'm finding it easiest to begin by noting only my sensory impressions.

SIGHT - Brightly colored saris in every shade + design imaginable; Huge, painted Hindu Gods; Gleaming, white temples; Legless beggars; Shantytowns; Sacred cows, moving with the cars down busy city streets; Throngs of people everywhere; Bindi dots; Dung heaps; Glass bangles that sparkle in the sun; Naked holymen painted white, their fierce eyes gleaming; Sunset fire ceremonies on the Ganges

SOUND - Ankle bells tinkling; The chai sellers' call; Horns blaring ceaselessly; Chanting; Bollywood music playing at top volume; Children tirelessly begging for bakshesh (tips); Adults interupting whatever you're doing to tirelessly ask the same string of questions; The Muslim call to prayer drifting through the air; The beating of drums; Laughter

SMELL - Freshly baked chapati; Exotic spices; The noxious aroma of urine; Garbage everywhere; Flower offerings to the Gods; Butter candles; Incense

TASTE - Perfectly ripened Alfonso mangoes; Chana Masala; Uppma with lots of black mustard seeds + ginger; Chai with the PERFECT amount of sugar + cardamom; Mango lassis; Spicy lady fingers (okra); Chai with WAY to much sugar + cardamom; Western food (for a change); Lychees; Samosas

TOUCH - Cool water on hot skin; Cows hair; Grime on my hands that never seems to wash off; The heat of the cleansing flame; A pashmina wool rug; Fine embroidery; Stepping in soft cow dung; Smooth, white marble; My lovers' sweaty kiss

Here's a "link" to photos