In the Middle of Nowhere, and Feeling Home

27 Nov. 9:30 p.m. Pushkar.

Pushkar. Think Katmandu and Rome without the mountains or crosses. On a late night stroll after settling in here, I felt this sense of being in the most spiritual, anti-establishment, musical, new-age, old-age, religious, pluralistic place in the world. More tomorrow, after a day in the sun here, visiting the town of temples.

As we drove in, the place felt like Malibu Canyon Road, or Sanderson, Texas, or a little bit of Yellowhouse Canyon, with a strange bit of "biblical" scenes -- families and cattle, sheep, camels, walking, working, carrying sticks; women in colorful dress, with headscarves. And tonight, the stars reminded me of home, growing up in Odessa, when those simpler times with cool night skies, and less city lights, made all seem calm.

I'm mindful of Mumbai, but also of the wonderful people I keep meeting here. I phoned a contact today, a friend of my colleague Andy Fort from TCU, who is hosting me in Calcutta. She was very kind and welcoming, and I look forward to being with her and her husband.

As internet access seems less consistent, I write when I can, and add photos as possible.

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