What I failed to do, however, was recognize the human ability to create and I also underestimated the strength and character that the past of India possessed. No, still possesses.
This weekend, we stayed in this totally glam hotel at the foot of the mountains that held the most fascinating, mind blowing, absolutely ridiculously amazing caves.
Yea, it was cushy.
We started off Saturday going to Ajanta. The Ajanta caves are Buddhist caves carved directly into the side of a mountain. There are no additions, no stick togethers - In 18 years, these Buddhist caves, which were created to be Buddhist retreats and a monastery, were carved top to bottom, front to back with no mess ups. Pure genius planning and ability. Modern day technology and architecture is just... pathetic compared to what these ancient people did. No computers, no calculators, no lifts - pure brains and handiwork.
This is our driver, who took us everywhere, with the most ridiculous ear hair ever.
See it? Ew.
Ashley and Sumana wore scarves on their heads to keep the sun out - little did they know, or maybe they did - but when the wind blew and filled the scarves with air, they looked like they had giant, segmented worms on their heads.
Loooooook. There were 31 of these. Many of them are incomplete. When the king who commissioned them to be created died, all work ceased. Funny enough, it wasn't until 1819 when British solider John Smith saw the top of one of the caves were they found again. Anyways, this John Smith... he really got around. John Smith and Pocahontas, those "Indians." and oh hey! John Smith and the real Indians.
They formed a huge mini circle.
A giant resting Buddha.
inside of this hall...
I just can't avoid dorkiness. I look like an uber tourist.
Anyways, this is carved inside a mountain... out of the same mountain... not brought in. It is all one piece. They had to account for the pillars, the head space, the ridge ceiling and the walls that look like this:
So many details!!!!
This is me in one of the unfinished caves:
Many of the caves had paintings. But, most of the caves were dark, except some that lights had been placed in, which gives all of my pictures a nice orange glow.
Here, to get a scale of things... even though this one is on the smaller side...
I am oblivious to the camera.
THIS IS ALL ONE SOLID PIECE OF ROCK.
Everything single thing I took a picture of is one single piece of rock.
I still can't wrap my mind around it.
Then we hopped in the car and drove to a weaver's shop. Where I may or may not have bought some real, true, Indian silk scarves. I couldn't help it. My shopper's guilt in India is overwhelming. You can't ever take anything back to the store. So, now I have some beautiful silk scarves from India. Cool.
The weaver only moves the material one centimeter and a half a day.
Indian fast food.
But we got henna done and got a puppet show for free.
They even played Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire as part of the show, which of course we all sang and danced to because Tyler had been kind enough to sing it at 8 that morning and continued to sing it all day so we all had it stuck in our brains.
Then it was Slounge time (the bar was called "Slounge" and we were soo ready to slounge after a long hot day.)
Anyways, after I took a beating (twice) at pool, I went to bed.
We had big huge fluffy beds that were so impossible to get out of.
It made me think of the times Mom and I have gone to various things and stayed in hotels and sometimes, we just can't get out because it is so comfortable.
But then we do and have a great time exploring wherever we are.
We all did the same thing in this situation.
