A farm, freedom, and foreigners

Well life on the farm was interesting. We got to harvest the mustard which was cool but no luck with the cow milking. It makes sense though because it is a pretty intimate activity and I don't think many animals would just let any old stranger waltz in a try their hand at it. In the end my back was getting quite soar. Lots of carrying of heavy stuff, like 50kg sugar sacks and baskets of amla fruit on our heads, but also the nature of the repetitive work where one sits on the floor cross legged was hard on me too. Although my fellow workers really did try to make me as comfortable as possible in these situations, my back still seemed to whine. I started to get grumpy at the end of a long days work and I realized this as something to be aware of when I start my own farm or when wwoofing in other places or really any job in the future. I don't want to be a grumpy guy. I feel being aware of it will help tremendously but extra effort will also be needed. I left the farm perhaps a bit earlier than expected but I was ready to leave.

Going to this particular farm was not planned and brought me out to an area that I hadn't and wouldn't have looked into if it weren't for the farm. I ended up going to a place called Nawalgarh and the most significant thing that happened to me there was this: I stayed at a hostel known for their organic farming; I found the Bhagavad Gita (a book on aspects of hinduism in the claimed newest and best translation in English thus far) in their library; found out that one of the smaller neighbouring towns I wanted to visit, Lohargal, was no longer in the lonely planet due to its holy pilgrimage purpose (but it was in my copy of the LP because I happend to have an older version) and was told that I need be very respectful when I go there; after reading the beginning of the Bhagavad Gita I realized that this small pilgrimage town was the same town that the story of the Bhagavad Gita takes place. I felt like things were coming together. I was meant to go. I did go. And it was really great. The water was cold. It felt full and refreshing. I felt welcomed and made some friends. And learned more ideas concerning hinduism. Some very thought provoking: Letting go of the "Fruits" or results of all actions, giving up desires they are the root of sabatoging development of wisdom, and it was really into devotion. To name a few of the main ideas. I felt it insightful and so did Mahatma Gandhi!
The same book shelf brought to other books to me one called the "White Tiger" and the other "Talking with Nature". Two books that I'm inclined to read but perhaps just reading the few first pages will be enough. There beginning ideas may be enough to set me on the path. What I mean is "Talking with Nature" is about a man that suddenly finds that he can hear voices coming from animals, plants, rivers, nature. He thinks himself insane at first but later comes to terms with it and learns through it. I've found that I've really lost my connection with nature in the last year or so and, call me crazy, now I'm inspired to try to communicate with animals, plants and how amazing would be to hear was a river has to say. Not much progress yet but I think it will take time. Any new language does :)
Now I'm in Pushkar and met a friend from Norway. We are planning to ride camels from Pushkar to Jodhpur (6 days) and then decide if we want to continue to Jaisalmer (another 8 days). Pushkar is very different from what I've been experiencing in Hindustan (India's name in hindi) thus far. There are much more foreigners whom seem to be of all different walks of life. From families with young children, elderly, mohawks, middle aged, dreadlocks, tattoos (lots of tattoos wow), mainstream, yogis, junkies, and more. Forgive me for the labeling, I haven't judge these people but am just trying to give a description of what I've observed. What a mix!
I'm feeling great. I feel a connection with the people using the very limited Hindi I know but it seems to create a connection.
Well I likely won't be in contact for the next week or so. Don't let it worry you.
I hope everyone is doing well and learning AND teaching.
Kelly
P.S
I've included some pictures of the farm but strangely enough all of my pictures of Lohargal (the holy waters town) seem to have disappeared from my memory stick. Spoking! and sad but I've got to detach!