In & Around Rajkot

Rajkot is not a tourist destination. It is primarily an industrial business center in Gujarat; therefore, most attractions are 3-4 hours away. We wanted to go to Gir National Park, which is the only place to see endangered Asiatic lions, but all the national parks, forests and animal preserves are closed for monsoon season. I was excited to see an elephant on the side of the road today as we were driving to school. The elephant belonged to a temple in Ahmedabad and a priest came to Rajkot with the elephant to make money by charging people to climb on or take pictures with the elephant. Most locals were giving 10 rupees (which is less than a penny), but since we were "foreigners," the priest asked us to pay 500 rupees (about $8). We ended up giving him 20 rupees. I also noticed that the admission fee at the local natural history museum was different for "foreigners" vs. Indians. I can't help but admire their capitalist approach.

Elephant on the side of the road...not something you see everyday. 

He's been trained to nudge your leg or hand.

We went to the Dharminder market today in old Rajkot. The market is labyrinthian, with each narrow lane specializing in fabric, jewelry, silver or utensils. While Rajkot is not a tourist destination, I found so much life and vibrancy in this market. It was men peering out of their shop stalls to stare at us or women encouraging their little kids to say "hello." It was the the smell of incense and engine exhaust. It was a cow seeking shelter from the rain under a shop's awning. It was the horn of a tuk tuk urging us to get out of the way when there really was nowhere to go. It was the streams of rainwater pouring off crooked roofs of ramshackle buildings. It was a menagerie of silk, embroidery, sequins and rhinestones. Rajkot may not be a place I would have chosen to go, but these little glimpses of otherness are awesome. 

Choosing some hand-sewn fabric. 

A lane in Dharminder market. 

The cow doesn't like the rain.