Farm Life
The alarm was set for 4.45! A quick milky coffee and we were gone.
An early morning walk and temple visit was the order of the day! We set off wondering what we would find on our route through the countryside. It was pitch black but we had a torch. We also had an expert with us with a very big stick. We didn't ask why he carried a stick but we know he walks just fine without one! Maybe it was for the cows, dogs, snakes or leopards we might see!
Fortunately, we only spotted one snake. He was a poisonous crait but also a flat one. A car must have got to him first.
When we reached the temple, candles were lit and an automatic drum machine was turned on. Not the greatest music we have witnessed but it was certainly going to send a message to the village to WAKE UP!!
We arrived home alive and relaxed. This was short lived as it was cow milking time. We watched as the hand milking was done. We were surprised at the speed it shot out and it soon filled the container.
Next stop ... vegetable shopping. We jumped on the back of a small motorbike. We rode the short distance down the village, 3 up... Vegetables purchased we headed home. On the way back a friend arrived with a 2nd bike. Darryl changed over and was taken to a different farm where cotton was grown.
Both back at base we were given some freshly roasted peanuts. A fire was lit, peanuts laid inside and then covered to make an oven. Delicious but hot straight from the fire!
We cleaned up and did a spot of washing. We hung it up to dry in the midday heat.
We climbed in the big Jeep and went to visit a local school, stopping enroute for a Thumbs Up. We weren't exactly sure where we were going but on arrival found out no shorts allowed. Darryl of course was wearing shorts! A quick change of plan and we dropped in on the local temple. Shorts didn't seem to worry the priest and in we went. A very ornate silver deity welcomed us in as we made our way to the back room. We were treated to a huge plate of rice, ghee and jaggery. Instructions from the temple helpers explained how to mix it up. It tasted good! Once eaten, the tray was filled with a large quantity of milk or buttermilk! As if we hadn't eaten enough, just around the corner we tried the local custard fruit drink.
After avoiding lots of goats, water buffalo and people, we stopped at the local village hospital. We were given a grand tour and everyone came to say hello. We saw all the medicine, maternity room and laboratory. We met the nursing staff, paramedics, doctor and pharmacist. There were big signs warning of malaria and dengue (yikes)! Plenty of photos later we moved on...
We stopped to talk to friends on the street corner. We both got to play on the very slick, brand new Royal Enfield motorbike.
We also got invited to explore one man's mansion. He was the local politician. Most people in this village are farmers and have simple houses. His house looked like it was out of House and Home magazine. Quite a surprise for us to see! His friends and family were very hospitable.
Family visits followed and we once again drank water and chai. Everyone is really friendly and we feel very lucky to be made so welcome in this tiny village in Porbander.
The washing we hung in the morning got soaked as it poured with rain for about an hour, which was quite refreshing.
The evening was spent helping make chapattis for dinner. It would seem Darryl has quite a knack for this. Dinner was an extremely tasty tomato curry. We then relaxed and chatted before having an early night after our early morning.
