Thursday, February 12, 2009

More Backing Up...i.e. Bodhgaya

Dead mosquitoes carpeting the floor. Beggars with twisted limbs pulling themselves across the ground--a little girl whose body is missing below the belly button. Bhutanese, Tibetans, Ladakhis and Sikkhimese in their colorful clothes and scarves. Water bubbling for tea. Autorickshaw horns piercing the eardrum. Malas and gems and rocks and tiffinware. Teapots hung from a string. Ponies pulling carts of Indians-a rainbow of saris. Monks spilling out the sides of rickshaws packed so full. A ferris wheel--a Buddhist carnival. "Rickshaw madame?" "Where going Madame?" The policeman insisting on shooting the glowing blue toy into the sky. "Hello friend? Face mask?" A hugely pregnant goat. Dogs with udders. Tiny round felt hats.