Our visit to the World Heritage caves at Ellora and Ajanta was a mostly spiritual experience interspersed with comedic interludes. Ancient Buddhist and Hindu caves have been carved into temples, monasteries and are full of glorious statues, Buddhas, elaborate sculptures and paintings - designated a World Heritage site. We were considered an alternative attraction, 4 white women, and had our picture taken about 50 times standing beside families, school kids, religious groups; had babies thrust into our arms, and introduced to countless people who wanted to know all about us! The hawkers were pesky and wouldn't give up - some savvy salesmen I'd say. They would each glue on to one of us, learn our names, tell us their name (Jack or Eric, usually instead of the more likely Sanjay or Rajkamur) - then call out to us a regular intervals to sell us their wares. Had a few quiet moments to reflect on the mysteries of getting 200,000 tons of rock out of one cave two thousand years ago, and to imagine the life of a Buddhist monk back then.
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