That is the name of the Brahma Kumaris museum in Mt. Abu. And while I'm not sure about the museum -- Mt. Abu was certainly the relief from the city that I desperately needed. Finally, fresh, unpolluted air, blue sky, palm trees, peaceful lake yes yes yes.... and I could even enjoy a beer here across the border in Rajasthan. How novel. 
Hardly any western tourists, but very popular with the Indians. And so were we! We were asked countless times to pose in pictures with random people we'd never met before -- as if we dressed up in giant mickey and minnie costumes at Disneyland. Are we really so fascinating? Apparently so. Our trekking guide, Charles, shared a story about a trek he took to a remote village in the mountains nearby. He brought a German couple with him. When the villagers saw them they got very upseting, thinking the white people were monkeys... he had to explain to them, no, they are HUMAN.
So that brings me to our 16km trek, the highlight of the weekend. No, we weren't content to sit and relax by the lake or leisurely
stroll though temples, oh no. We just had to go in search of the sloth bear, for Mt. Abu is an ideal habitat. The last census counted 180 in the area. When we asked our young guide, Charles (a reincarnated Frenchman) what we should do if we meet a bear he says - "Respect the bear. And trust in god." Em, ok. Right. How about a gun? No such luck. Instead I just made a LOT of noise and much to my "dismay" -- no bears were sighted.Just a crocodile.
2 comments:
Well, I am glad you're alive! And to think- I was the one scared for your life! I must be getting old.
yes well so was i!! its one of those things that's a funny story... so long as you make it out alive. otherwise you just get this year's darwin award as a consolation prize!
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