Best bare foot forward

Up at dawn and off to a market to watch the tribal villagers arriving with their goods for sale – huge jack fruit, bananas, yams, all sorts of vegetables, pulses, grains, rice, dried fish, brushes, tools, brass ornaments – you name it and probably it was there. Many came barefoot, having walked for miles and will have to take any unsold goods back home again and purchases that they make for the following week.  Many things were sold before they reached the market – bargains were made and money exchanged.  Many things like grains had to be officially weighed on arrival, the sacking marked and the top of the bag closed with a tie.  Spent some time just watching and remarking how unattractive even the young girls were although they had spent time decorating their hair do but by golly they were strong.  Some arrived with babies on their hips as well as a really heavy load on their head. It was good to see them chatting and laughing together. The men all looked angry – apparently the side effect of drinking toddy. Another hideous drive along cratered roads to visit a village but on the way bumped into a procession to celebrate some late guru who built ashrams throughout the country.  A priest was hauled in a chariot, men dressed as women were made up to look like various goddesses and walked within a sort of palanquin.  Women sang and danced at the rear (of course).   Felt badly looking round the village – last time I had a reason to be looking round – I had something to offer in the form of a cure for leprosy.  Today it felt like voyeurism – but the kids did get sweets and the old men a few rupees towards their alcohol requirements.  An enormous number of extra pics here