Its always a bit of a shock to the system returning to England from India. The cultural differences and climate being the most shocking. Although this time I was quite pleased to return to cold fresh air and sun which made a change from the usual rain or snow that usually welcomes me.
I spent the last few days of the trip in Ahmedabad - one of the top 10 most polluted cities in the world. I have never experienced roads so noisy, smelly, and so packed there isn't even space for pedestrians. Every day I would have at least one 5 minute breakdown after nearly getting hit by a car, bike, rickshaw or cow, being unable to breathe or unable to have a conversation due to the overpowering noise of engines revving and horns honking.
However, something would always uplift my mood and remind me of the reason I love the city. For example, a cute little girl popping her head through a door of flower shaped window panes and calling out to ask say hi and ask my name..
..the peace of the cities' multitude of temples and mosques which exude spiritual calm...
...the intricate carved detailing in the architecture, a feast for the eyes of any creative designer, artist or lover of architecture...
...the resident cow outside the Arts Reverie, our hotel haven providing comfort, tasty food, stylish decor and a home in the heart of the heritage city...
...the hanging textiles adding glorious splashes of colour against the ornate architecture...
...the vibrant colours of the layers of fabric hanging to dry in a block printing workshop and the sound of the pounding blocks and happy singing of the printers while they work...
....and then while trying to squeeze our way down a cramped side street of pushing, honking cars and groups of busy shoppers in Manek Chowk, a man happily carving knives on a machine powered by pedalling his bicycle
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