Cows on the Beach

Janjira Fort

Janjira fort is visible from land, but completely surrounded by water. The boat ride took about ten minutes, and we rode with all kinds of Indian tourists. The boat pulled up near the stone steps into the fort, giving you no choice but to jump. 

Bessie stopped to chat when we greeted her hello, gave a few nods as Kelsie was shooting the breeze, and continued on her way as we said goodbye. 

As Lindsey and Kelsie meditated, I creeped behind them to take a picture and unintentionally disturbed their serene state of mind. 

We cooed at a baby in his mother's arms, and he started scrunching up his face like he was going to cry. The mother looks at Emily, holds out the baby, and says, "Here, carry him." Emily tries to kindly refuse, but the dad just goes, "No problem!" and snaps a few pictures. 

Last weekend I took a trip to Marud Janjira, a beach on the coast of Maharashtra, with a large fort in the water (Janjira). I have taken fresh air for granted many times in the US; I realized it once we were celebrating our ability to be breathe happily upon our arrival. We ate delicious food- lots of veg. thali, which is a mixed plate (basically like getting a home cooked meal with daal, chapati, veggies, masala or curry and dessert) and omelet sandwiches on fresh rolls.

We were all excited for the beach but tried not to get our hopes up. Everyone on the beach was fully clothed- no bathing suits- and people were not lounging in the sand with umbrellas/towels/chairs, but it was perfect nonetheless (there was also a crowded beach nearby that was probably more beach like but we went to the one next to our hotel). The  water was warm and clean and clear, we found lots of pretty seashells, we walked endlessly through the groovy sand in the shallow afternoon tide, and we gazed at the water until the sun set. I was only asked once for a picture, and we didn't draw much attention on the beach except for when we did our little hippie dance with our scarves at sunset. Kelsie talked to a very kind cow, we saw some sunbathing pups, and we enjoyed the wind in our hair.