Met a very interesting lady at breakfast from New York, who had arrived overnight and was about to join an Art Residency. for 2 weeks (Wolf Residency).
Left Jaipur at 10 for two and a half drive to the Heritage Homestay. In the suburbs as we left the region, random cows usually singly on the side of the road, very beautifully dressed colourful ladies sometimes balancing a large circular tray of something on their heads or travelling side- saddle pillion on a motorcycle, sometimes whole families on a motorcycle with a tot astride in front. Parents always carry small children, no pushchairs… no room!
We drive through a region of stoneworks with many Shrine type carvings for sale. Eventually we turn off the main road on to a farm track which seems to go on endlessly through farm settlements.
Have arrived at the Heritage – Lotwara Fort – just wow!!!!
After a light lunch we were able to relax and enjoy the pool. Dot had a design put on the back of her hand in henna.
At 4 when it was a little cooler we were taken on a walk around the village and learnt about village life in India. We shook hands with many small children who were delighted to see us. Each time Hershe, our group leader, comes here, she plants a tree in the school grounds. So this is what we did. The guys dug a big hole. To show respect, Rob in our group was made honourable by having a turban wound on to his head.
As we walked round we saw wild peacocks, monkeys, chipmunks and pied starlings. There were also cows, goats and dogs, some with puppies.
We watched the sun go down on the roof of the fort – a deep red framed in the Indian architectural structure at the front of the fort.
A dance display was performed by one of the villagers and we all joined in at the end before going to the restaurant for our included set dinner.
