DAY 10/11, 11/12.10.07
DAY 10
This great town was not in my plans as I said before. I was on my way to Khajuraho from Agra; I had to stop in Jhansi (the most untouristic place I've seen in India up to now) and catch a bus. I had read about Orchha, but wasn't sure whether it would worth or not. On the train to Jhansi, I thought "Why not" since it was just 18km away from Jhansi.
About 04:00 AM I was in Jhansi train station and agreed with a autorickshaw for 30 Rp. in order to go to bus station. It was difficult to get along with the people there since except the drivers of rickshaws, noone, even the officials in the station, could not speak in English. While trying to refuse rickshaw drivers' offers to drive me to Orchha for 100 Rp., finally I met with two medial students. They helped me to find a tempo (a little bigger than autorickshaw, which can carry 12 people:)) and agreed with the driver for 20 Rp (10 for me + 10 for my backpack).
The previous day in Agra and the train trip made me exhausted, I decided to have a rest and try to get informed about the town as usual. By the time I arrived, I knew I had given a good decision.
ORCHHA
I was surprised when I had a small walk around the town since once the capital of the Bundelas, it is now just a few unkept, dusty streets and buildings. BUT within a well preserved temples&palaces and a great natural surrounding, including Betwa River (rafting and swimming seems to be possible). I thought that it would be great to visit the temples and palaces and to shoot them at sunrise&sunset.
DAY 11
I woke up early in the morning and was anxious to picture the buildings as soon as possible during the sunrise. I walked to the east of the town, to a bridge over Betwa River connecting the town to Tikamgarh road. Men were bathing and women were washing their clothes in the river. Lovely it was, but definitely not even close to the things I would see and feel in the next hour.
I continued my way to the Cenotaphs of Orchha's rulers, lived during 17th and 18th centuries. The sunrise had started to show effects on the walls, the river, the hills and trees lying at the back of the cenotaphs. I was confused; shooting everything I saw in my viewfinder. Turning west, east, north, south...I had to be quick, shouldn't miss the sunrise; but how? I thought all the other things in and outside the town.
The tension was rising, increased the speed of my steps as if someone was following me. I was trying to describe the things I was seeing. Was I really aware of what I was confronted with? I hadn't prepared myself for this.
Some guys, playing cricket, helped me to calm a little bit. I decided to split my visit into two days. Had decided to have a breakfast; it should have helped me to calm, to think, to organize my days in Orchha.
I went to a luxury hotel's restaurant, right in the middle of some Mahals, camel stables and Lhana Hammam. I was still breathing hardly, when I ordered my meal. Terrified I was. Where I was? Why was I feeling all this things? Words, sentences, full pages were echoing in my mind; trying to give some meaning to this madness. Yes, this should be the way to catch my gasp. I had to define that last hour.
For nearly half an hour I was in the restaurant. My meal had already finished and still I couldn't recover myself. This should be over, it was obvious that I couldn't continue on my discovery. Had to go to my hotel, my small room; should close my eyes against all the things I was seeing.
I could barely hear the words of the town's people on my to the hotel, but couldn't understand them. I was looking at my way and calculating the minutes ahead of me.
At last I was in my room. I lied down my bed. The sun was draining inside, carrying the words of the temples inside. They were calling me. I put my headphone of my i-Pod and turn on 'Fujiya Miyagi'. First I had release the energy in me. After a while the terror turned into joy; now was the time for some heavy 'Sigor Ros'. I was getting better. Closed my eyes and finally found the answer.
I had entered into a new world, passed the gateway; before I knew it.
...........
I was okey, when I woke up at noon. Ready to visit the temples and palaces. At the rest of my day I shoot pictures, sat down in a cafe in the middle of the market and talked with my German friend,Rick.
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