Our off-the-beaten-track through Indian country-side road trip splendidly captured the real India that I had been craving to see. 
But first, we spent a week in Mumbai for my husband's cousin's massive wedding, full of chaos--late nights of family bonding with scores of aunties, uncles and cousins, fine dining, sari&lengha fittings, ceremonies and pooja's, not to mention adjusting to jet lag, and never having time to leave the hotel...ever...to even SEE the city except from my 21st floor hotel room. I did enjoy bonding with my new dad and his wife.
(Such is the case for NRI's and their American wives at these sorts of family affairs, so I'm learning.) I barely experienced Mumbai, but one day will......so after all the exhaustion, this country scene on the way to Bharatpur was refreshingly relaxing.
The gleaming yellow of the mustard fields dotted with the surprise of the occassional farmer popping up from in between the stalks in a brightly colored sari was like a dream.
The pace of life outside of the major cities is contagiously serene. Ummm, remind me why I live in New York?
Ok, so call me easily amused, but I do find it amazing the things people can balance on their heads.
I was dying to trying one of these - whatever they are - they were selling them everywhere.
I was so curious about these women. I was tempted to get out of the car and join them in the daily gossip.
The children were as curious of me as I was of them. Many of them in the tiny villages outside of the major cities would often just want to practice their English. "Haaaalllooww. What is your name?" smile smile smile..... I welcomed this sweetness as in the cities, we were often pummelled with begging children - difficult to resist, I know.
Just in case you were wondering...yes, I have a little love affair with India. :) 
* Our cruise-ship-like-room overlooking the grandeur of The City Palace. 
* At 6am each morning, the haunting echos of chants and poojas from a nearby Hindu temple glide across Lake Pichola. I sat up in bed straining to hear - I was so intriqued! My Indian husband, on the other hand, completely annoyed about having been awoken from his slumber, retreated under his pillow. 
* Intricately designed antique furniture and detailed fresco's on the walls took us back in time to the days of the Maharanas
