Do you recognize these Sikhs? We are coming out of the Gurudwara in Delhi with our Sikh driver whose name is ... Lovely! Yes, I know, it's a lovely name, and it is in fact his nickname. Indians often give nicknames to their children He must have been a beautiful baby. Of the numerous religions practiced here in India, Sikhism is one of the most interesting and at least men and women seem to be moderately equal. Anyway, they Sikhs I've met have all been friendly, generous and welcoming.

The wedding season is almost finished here, but this is what women do on one of the evenings of the several days that a wedding lasts. It takes quite a long time for the henna to be applied in such intricate designs and you mustn't wash your hands for the first several hours, but the painting lasts three weeks and it always surprises Indians to see us with painted hands.

Hello! If anyone needs a haircut, this place is rather inexpensive and you can get an al fresco cut. To make up for my laziness, I'll try to post more often, but the countdown has begun: only 3 weeks left in India.

Yesterday afternoon I heard scratchings and scrapings outside my bedroom window and lo and behold, there were seven peacocks on the garage roof, about six feet from my window. They gave me a cold look and continued their business. It's very chilly right now in Rajasthan, except for the few hours in the afternoon when the sun is strong. In the mornings and at night, the temperatures are very low, the lowest being -6° C.
Another two weeks and spring will be around the corner.

Happy 2012 to everyone; make it bring beauty, harmony and joy to all.

And if ever you decide to visit India, you can give the TAJ MAHAL a pass, unless you enjoy visiting with about 15,000 other people at the same time, and waiting in lines in several different places. Much better to look at pictures in a book. Besides, it's India's major rip-off: 750 rupees for foreign tourists! 750 rupees to wait in queues! For me, it was a major disappointment. I far preferred Akbar's tomb which you will see very soon. So I hope the year has got off to a good start for all of you and that your resolutions can be kept! Bonne Année!