When Pushkar to Shove

Pushkar has turned out to be great little town, despite the fact that we're at the end of the dry season, so all that's left of Pushkar Lake is a few muddy puddles.



Pushkar is a Hindu holy town, so the place is booze free. Eating meat and kissing are also banned. Aside from being a holy place, it's also tourist magnet, so it's very well catered for westerners. There aren't many of us (it's off-season), but I've seen more white faces here in the last 24 hours than I did in 4 days in Mumbai.

The down side of tourism is that it also brings out the touts. There is heaps of them, and they're pushy. You can't take 2 steps here without someone making a grab for your money. It isn't always easy to be polite and forceful at the same time.

The hardest part is that it's impossible to differentiate those who want to make your wallet lighter, and those that just want to have a chat and get to know you. It shouldn't be, but my first reaction is one of cynicism to anyone that greats me with "hello, my friend".



That aside, everything else about the place is lovely. Compared to Mumbai, Pushkar feels like an outdoor library. My hotel is a quiet little place just off the town's main rd. It's basic, but the setting is gorgeous - my room opens into directly into the hotel's green courtyard. I also have my own bathroom, which is a nice plus. It's also only AU$2.50 a night, which is an even nicer plus.