After a short lunch break, we boarded the back of a jeep & headed to Jodhpur’s outskirts.

Our experiences out there were by far the most unique on the trip.

After a 20-30 minute ride, we reached a pottery maker’s home. We watched two potters at work- a father & his son.

The father was busy pounding jars still warm from the kiln to round them into shape so they can be used to hold water.

The son then demonstrated how he first kneaded the wet clay with ash before molding it into pots using an unusual potters’ wheel. The pottery wheel is like a top that he got up to a very fast speed by using a stick to turn it. This ingenious wheel spun for a long time! He made three objects & decorated them on the wheel before it stopped spinning.

The mother was busy stiring a pot of dough that would later be made into poppadom.

Our next stop was a Bishnoi farmer’s home. The Bishnois date back to the 15th Century & are members of the Jain religious group. Jains are vegans & will not eat any vegetables grown in the soil including carrots, onions, garlic, etc. They do this so as not to kill any insects while harvesting such crops. Some Jains wear masks; not to stop diseases, but so they don’t accidentally inhale a bug & kill it. They are very loyal to preserving the environment & protecting all animals. Our guide told us the Bisnois will even fight to the death to save a tree.

They also have a history of mixing small opium amounts with water to drink to enable strength & endurance to work in the fields. While visiting this farm family, the father demonstrated how they administer opium in a ceremony.

The man also demonstrated how to tie a turban which is formed from a 9 meter long piece of fabric.

He then dressed us up like the locals.

From there, we visited a family who makes hand woven dhurrie rugs. Usually two weavers work together- one on each side of the loom. One rug can take 2 weeks to two months to make depending on its size, pattern, & number of thread colors.

We we were happy to support this small family craftsman by placing a rug order for our home.

Along the way, we saw a young man on a camel herding his camels.

Our last stop was unplanned. On our way back to Jodhpur, we saw a group of 30-40 people gathered at a small outdoor temple under a large banyan tree. I asked our guide if we could make a quick stop to take a few pictures.

The women were all seated on the ground outside while the men were grouped close to the priest under the tree. Once I removed my shoes & approached the women, they motioned for me to come closer.

The priest then saw me & asked for me to come and take their pictures. I was very surprised by how happy they were to have me join them. My husband was also welcomed & asked to join.

Before leaving we were given a box of sweet soft candy, a lantern, marigold flower garlands, & the priest’s healing stick made from peacock feathers. We both felt very humbled & blessed by the experience.

These are the kind of experiences you never forget. Connecting with others around the world is always special & very rewarding.

Our guide had a short conversation with the priest. He told us this group meets twice a month according to the moon’s phases. This group was meeting to commemorate a local Bisnoi hero from hundreds of years ago who was killed defending cows from being slaughtered by invaders. It is said although his head was cut off, his body continued fighting to protect the cows. The priest is known in the area for healing various sicknesses. There was also a man there around 80 years old who had the ability to speak with the dead.

Their only request was for us to leave a US $1 bill as a donation. No more was needed.