Bob Travel

As in many cities in the world, the culture of today, has been influenced by the influx of immigrants over the years, Punjab, India is no exception, with many of those living in the city today the descendants of ancestors from Turkey, Iran, Arabia, and Afghanistan.  Some of those immigrating made their ways to Punjab singularly while during other times in the history, groups from various areas migrated in large groups, in search of a better way of life for themselves and their offspring.  The fertile land in the region of Punjab has created a viable and financially successful farming community, and this sense of community has created a society of people with one singular identity even though most come from many different backgrounds and heritages.  Those working the fields take care of those working in the businesses such as the Punjab hotels and restaurants.  They share a singular religion, that of Islam, and have commonalities in their folklore, their sensibilities and their traditions, and all share in the common goal of similar aspirations and hopes of attaining the best possible lives, for now and for the future.

Traditional values and ethics, combined with a sincere love of strangers and tourists has made Punjab one of the most fabulous places in the country to visit and to spend some time in getting to know the locals.  They love each other, regardless of differences such as background or local dialect, and will share that love with anyone who happens to cross their paths.  Their culture is based on Sufism, and the festivals and the celebrations are often fun and joyous occasions, that reflect the ideas and the philosophies, as well as the traditions and the folk life, the stories and the myths and the beliefs.  The fairs differ in three ways.  There are those based in trade and commerce, those of the seasons of the year, and those of devotional or religious meaning.  Any one of these ‘kinds’ of festivals will open up a view of this Indian town to travelers and adventurers, and are well worth attending.

Because of it’s two National Parks and well over a dozen sanctuaries, Rajasthan is known throughout the world as the best viewing of wildlife. That’s why I have book a room at on of Rajasthan Luxury Hotels for a month. I’ve specifically would like to see a tiger in the wild. I’ve only seen them in zoos and they seem so lifeless and sad. I would like to see one in its full majesty.

I heard that Sariska National Park it internationally known for its tigers and I’ve read the latest data confirming that there are now 35 tiger roaming the forest. Of course, there are other predators including the panther, hyenas and foxes. Also there are the animals being preyed on like the chital, the sambhar, the four horned antelope, wild boar, nilgai, civets and the humble hare. I’m not too into birds, but the peafowl, the gray partridge, quails, white-breasted kingfishers, tree pies, grouses and the golden-backed woodpeckers are the forests resident birds.

When I arrived to Sariska, I found the landscape comprised of hills and narrow valleys creating the Aravali hill range. Sariskas topography supports a scrub-thorn arid forest perfect for the tiger. Dry deciduous trees, big rocks with ledges and tall grasses. The climate when I was there, I found to be erratic, it rained early in the morning, but only two hours later it became boiling hot with the sunshine barring overhead.

I didn’t get to see the tigers while I was there, but I did get to see the ruins of a medieval Temple of the Hindu God Shiva. The ruins of the Temple Garh-Rajor which was built in the 10th century and a 17th century castle build on a sharp hilltop at Kanakwari which provided an excellent view of Sariska’s avian inhabitants in full flight. I was disappointed about not seen a majestic tiger in the wild, but I did get to pet them in a tiger enclosure. Still it’s not the same, but then again I wasn’t on an elephant while walking in Sariska and from what I hear it the preferred way to see the tiger.

The times are changing in South Africa.  Last month, the first elected democratic President, Nelson Mandela promoted and supported Jacob Zuma, as he had previously done for Thabo Mbeki, his successor.  It is believed that soon, Zuma there will be a new outline for conservatism in the country.  One that supports the religious and the cultural roots of the people, which Zuma feels is being compromised by liberal Western values.  Some believe that Zuma is obsessed by power and control.  Stating that issues such as same sex relationships, and the death penalty, and the condemnation of those opposing ideas of the new government, are issues that Zuma intends to take control over.  In the cafes and restaurants in every Cape Town luxury hotel,  political analysts discuss these issues of their new president.  Some fear the the country will move backwards instead of forward.

However, Sipho Seepe,  a political analyst from Johannesburg states that this is just not the case. He states that there are many different groups of ethnicity surrounding Zuma at the moment, all of them leaders and that Zuma is not power hungry nor obsessed.  That there are issues of tribalism creeping into the politics of South Africa, and that the tension between the ethnic groups can become problematic is one idea that raises concern.  In the past racial tensions have been met with tribalism’s rise, and the concern is not just the tension between the blacks and the whites, but between all the tribes.  And although some of Zuma’s ideas about race, most notably his contention that English speaking whites are not truly patriotic, some believe that all the races will have an easier time communicating with and being represented by Zuma, that had been the case with his predecessor, Mbeki.  Time will tell regardless, if Zuma will follow in the footsteps of Mbeki, as some believe, or in the footsteps and with the compassion of Mandela,  as do others.

Chennai is known of the land of priests and temples.  The religious traditions are reflected each year in the month of December.  The season’s music is underway at this time, and is one of the best times for a visit and a stay at one of the five star hotels.  Chennai  is a city with very rich cultural heritage.  The dancers of the city perform on the streets and in the various auditoriums, depicted stories of their culture, or just simply performing recitals.  Dancers renown the country often stop in Chennai to give master classes and lectures to all those interested in this form of expression.  Many international companies tour here as well, as with the world of dance, there is no need to speak the same language.  The language is just the dance, and all dancers can ’speak’ it.

Evenings out on the town are filled with dance and music as well.  Chennai has become a hot spot for trendy nightclubs and discotheques.  The city is become quite distinguished as the best cultural location in India.  Many clubs offer pop music to trance and techno as well.  And as the bars remain open until the wee hours, it is possible to just dance the night away, literally.  For those not so inclined for such a party, the theater in the city is spectacular.  There are some theaters that produce plays performed in English, as well as Tamil.  And the music concerts are varied, from street performers, to the Music Academy’s  finest students, there is always a show happening somewhere around this city. 

Festivals  are quite common, honoring and celebrating religious events, to the positions of the planets, to the agriculture of the land.  While this is a very cosmopolitan and progressive city, just about all of the festivals are religious ceremonies to a certain extent.  Thanks are given to bountiful crops, to the birth of children, and celebrations of the seasons passing.  In all, there is really no bad time to chose to visit, as something incredible and culturally is happening during each week of every year.