Travel becomes a Journey

On Wednesday we left Jaipur via car to travel to Ranthambore for tiger viewing. This was a four hour trip through the countryside of India. Quickly this trip became a journey of experiences with the people of India. Our guide (Micato is known to have the best guides in any area) opened doors along the way that gave us a brief but everlasting touch with some of the people as our paths crossed. This was a gift we could have never had without Hem Singh. Our first encounter was a farmhouse that had been painted so beautifully by the wife. Hem Singh spoke with the couple about us taking a few photos of their home. We not only had the photos of the house but of the couple, their children, livestock and way of life. During the very short visit, they insisted we stay for tea, which due to time factors we had to decline.

Our next endearing encounter was a school for children, both boys and girls. Hem Singh spoke with the headmaster and we were able to witness their opening ceremony of the day including singing their national anthem. Then we were invited into the classrooms for photos. The headmaster ordered tea for us to share with him but, again due to time restraints, we declined.

These moments, forever embedded into memory and heart, is the true essence of travel. Travel should become a journey of self, not moving from point to point.

This is a photo of the husband and their house.

This is the couple and the decorated portion of the house.

These are the two daughters.


This is the school yard with the young girls.

A boy in the school yard.

Boys after the opening ceremony in the school yard.

Inside one of the classrooms, girls on one side, boys on the other.