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It feels so good to be back in Udaipur! Without a doubt one of the best cities in India. My time here over the past few days since my arrival has been one sublime experience to the next. From debating the Indian reservation system at a Bob Marley bar to early morning yoga or wandering through the oldest mountain range in the world, Udaipur is full of adventure.
It's been four years since my last, short visit, but there is a certain joy and peace found in encountering familiar sights and people. This morning, while walking around the Old City, the twists and turns of a particular street was prompting a hazy memory. I didn't quite recognize the shops but following my feet I was lead to an out of the way jewelry shop.
I browse the anklets for a minute or two and the announce to the smiling shop lady "I think I was here a few years ago... Did a man used to run the shop?"
"No," Then she proudly explains how she's been the sole owner of the store for over 25 years. I sigh to myself and figure that I didn't remember the city as well as I thought. I continue to look around and see pictures of various travellers getting their nose and ears pierced... I had been toying with the idea of piercing my upper ear for some time so the shop lady tells me the different prices for piercings and I resign myself to wait and see how I feel about a new earring in about a week... maybe.
"Many years ago I did the nose pins for three of the Spice Girls!" She tells me excitedly.
A flood of memories come back - "Oh my gosh, I was here!" I announce. "About four years ago. Your brother used to help you with the store front?"
"Yes"
"And you have a black pet dog?"
"Yes! Preeti!"
"I remember visiting your family's home four years ago to get my nose pierced. Your dog sat and barked at my almost the entire time." I smiled "There would be no way you'd remember, it was so long ago and you have so many travellers coming through. But it was a really cool experience for me."
We struck up a long conversation and Hemma shows me some pictures of other Canadian ex-pats who visited her store, including an adventurous elderly Canadian couple getting their ears pierced together at the age of 60. Hemma pulls out her visitors book and by some strange coincidence or magic it flips almost immediately to the entry I made in 2007.
"That's me!" I exclaim. And I look over the message my 18-year-old-self had written on my first, wild Indian adventure.
Wow! What an experience! I just got my nose pierced in India! It wasn't too bad, and the people were very nice. Just go for it! Kate N. Canada Nov. 06 2007
My first time in Asia and my life since then have been so transformative that the person who wrote that message four years ago feels like past incarnation now. But I like her gutsy-ness and courage!
Long story short- I leave 2 hours later with new memories of an absolutely wonderful conversation as well as a pretty rockin' piercing.
As I said before, it feels so good to be back in Udaipur. As much as I liked my months in rural settings, being in a city again is like a breath of fresh air (not literally of course).
I have a feeling that many more adventures are just around the corners of Udaipur's labyrinthine streets...
More posts to come soon!
Kate
- comments
Caroline Awesome post, Kate! I can't wait to read more :)
Scott Good to hear your doing well and having an awesome time!