Sure Travel Journey Vol 4.2 Autumn 2018 | Page 34

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D E S T I N A T I O N
P I C K
ALL PHOTOS © SAMANTHA REINDERS
world is going to end tomorrow” kind of
way, just in the “you never know when you
might have to start a fire with just your
underpants” kind of way. It was from him
I learnt that your everyday dental floss is
the best and most hardy cord with which
to tie people together so they don’t get
separated in a crowd. He brought some
along in his survival kit, just in case. It is
with this set of collective skills that we set
forth to conquer India.
ALLEYWAY WEDDING SEASON
The planning of the trip was my job. Their
only wish: “No touristy stuff. And we want
to camp in the desert.” No problem, I said,
that’s up my alley.
And alleys are where it’s at in India –
34 // MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE
small, winding, dark, endless and covered
in cow poop (although Mom informs me
the more appropriate term is “cow pats”).
We wandered the alleys of Rajasthan,
Agra and Varanasi’s old cities getting
hopelessly lost. Sometimes even on
purpose. When you get the chance to
look up – that is when you’re not dodging
cows, camels or extended families on
a single scooter going at a breakneck
speed – you’re met with the most intricate
and delicate woodcarvings and colourful,
often hilarious and naughty paintings
in centuries-old havelis (a traditional
townhouse or mansion in India).
In these alleys, underneath a spiderweb
of electric cables, our vacation coincided
with high wedding season and a few
weeks of particularly auspicious days
in the lunar calendar. A day didn’t go by
without walking slap bang into a wedding
celebration – which happens out in the
open on the street in full colour and at
full blast. Weddings are at least five-day
affairs with a complicated set of rituals
and blessings played out by all parties
concerned. We were never quite sure
where we’d found ourselves within the
scenario but each occasion involved
a horse (white, with decorations) and
a full band comprising a band leader,
tuba player, trombonist, a bored-looking
drummer and someone with cymbals
and a demonic look in his eyes. There
was always a troupe of people with
chandelier-like lanterns and much dancing
by the community who were decked out
in their best saris, jewellery and turbans.