Later, I moseyed past homeless families living on the pavement and considered it
not such a bad life after all. They were extraordinarily well-organised, with a clock
hanging from the wall and space to hang items. A few had beds and kitchen
utensils. What impressed me were the kids doing school homework. Multiplication
tables were neatly written out in a notebook.
Ahmedabad – Vadodara - 115 km
My route followed Gandhi’s Salt March, known as the Dandi March, and I met
several pilgrims en route to Dandi. Stopping for tea, I was asked if I was from
China. By evening, I had a good look at myself as never in a million years had I
imagined I even remotely resembled a Chinese person.
When biking in India, one is immersed in a world of overwhelming and unparalleled
bombardment of the senses, from the constant hooting, dust and vehicle fumes, to
the incense-filled air and peaceful chanting of Hindu devotees. I rode past dead
animals rotting in the heat of the tropics, and in contrast, people playing cricket
upon immaculate green fields, past incredibly ornate Hindu temples and homeless
people living on the street. Friendly rickshaw wallas and tea sellers asked, “What’s
your country?” followed by “What’s your good name?” Motorcycle riders pulled up
next to me, asking for selfies. A big grin crossed my face, as I knew this was
indeed India.
The following day was spent in Vadodara as the town sported a few attractions
worth seeing. After breakfast, the search for a lens cap was on in all earnest. The
process was both time-consuming and exciting, but not a great deal was achieved
in the end.