Omkareshwar, it is a very good place to hide yourself. You couldn’t find it on the map indeed. Like Jeanmi, who is a musician from Quebec. He’s been hiding himself in Omkareshwar for ten days.
I was totally lost in this mini Varanasi when I arrived in Omkareshwar. Hundred thousands people flooding into this small Island for a Holy Festival. They used the speaker for praying all day and all night. Particularly at night time, the lovely local people played five Bollywood movies and used five loud speakers in the valley. I couldn’t sleep for two nights although I put the ear plugs in my ears.
So that I was a little bit sleepless and I met a couple, Sean and Aki, who are artists, American and Japanese. They described how much they loved Rajasthan and stayed there for five weeks. They met me every morning when I was having my breakfast, and talked about Rajasthan for two hours.
I totally loved them! I bought the train ticket to Jodhpur, Rajastah. (Eventually, I gave up trying to find Jeanmi…let him continue to hide himself for six months here.) I love the life on the road, because you’ve never know what will happen tomorrow and who you will meet tomorrow.
I talked with lots of Indians on this trip. They are government officers, taxi drivers, farmers, freelances and employees of foreign companies, etc. China and India have lots of things in common. At first, our population is huge. The second, our environmental pollution is really serious (Global warming and lack of water). The third, the position of women is still low. (Now it is rising, because more and more women are working and getting economic independence.)
Otherwise, both governments are developing tourism strongly. They respect the foreigners very much and protect us. Most Indians are very friendly and love to help foreigners. One big difference is religion…
Judie
On the road
Please visit Jeanmi’s website and listen to his music…
http://jeanmichelrenaud.com/
