Hello from Bikaner

Hi this photo is of a beggar in Jaisalmer who is a lovely guy, he gets around on his hands as his legs are completely useless. He loves posing for photos but will sit with his legs hidden so he looks more normal. I took this from a long distance and he was unaware I was there.

The other photo was taken from the back screen of the car as we were travelling today. It was quite unusual to see an elephant on the road, so far camels have been the regular transport.

Sorry this site is too difficult to place photos. The rat is one of the hundreds that live in The Rat Temple. Unbelievable place we have just come back from there. It was a temple which no doubt due to their dirty way of living became infested with rats, they therefore decide that rats must be holy and so encourage them. There are dishes of food and water everywhere and a stench in the enclosed areas. You are not allowed to take photos unless you pay (which actually is the norm here) but I managed to sneak this one without them noticing. They do not believe rats to be holy anywhere else....that is until they take over somewhere else. Its is a wonder they do not also consider pigeons to be holy as they also ruin most of the buildings.

The young girl is one of the kids that live in the villages in the middle of nowhere. They do not go to school as their family have no money. They tend to wander to the nearest point where they may have some fun and or get something given to them. On this occasion we where driving along a very remote road and came to a level crossing, of which there are many, we stopped as the gate was down and these children appeared. The o lder boy wanted a pencil or pen but unfortunately we had left our luggage at the hotel and only had personal bags with us in the car so we were unable to help but gave them a little money instead. It was a pleasant change not to be asked for money initially!

Our last night of our tour and tomorrow we return to Dehli very late in the day, stopping at Madwar on the way. We are taking the early train the next morning to Haridwar.

Take care and speak soon

xxx