India impressions

Well - we're nearing the end of our sojourn in Northern India and now seems a good time to formulate our first impressions of India, the country and the people.
Firstly - cows rule the roads.
Secondly - all lorries bear a sign on the rear saying 'Blow horn' and all transport - lorries, cycles, bikes, tuc-tucs , cars etc - obey this injuncion incessantly - very necessary given the style of driving; overtaking on either side especially on bends and when encountering nomadic bands of Indians driving their herds of goats towards the south!
Thirdly - smells (good and bad), dust (everywhere) and vibrant colours (saris and materials vivid in the sunlight).
Rajasthan is a land of contrasts - richly decorated and intricately carved palaces and temples, cheek by jowl with dilapidated hovels. People are friendly in the villages but often less so in the towns where subsistence living makes begging of all forms commonplace; although the middleclass are actually increasing and the government subsidising schools so that you see the blue and white school uniforms everywhere.
Although we have been close to the Pakistani border there have been no obvious problems and the vast majority of people of different religions live harmoniously together as usual.
Areas of semi arid desert and greener more pastoral areas, mountains and plains make this state both varied and fascinating. Although quite green at the moment the monsoon rains were lighter than expected so there are likely to be problems later.
Tourism is also reduced at present and unemployment rising as the population grows beyond 1.2 billion. This causes pressure on jobs such that 1600 applicants for one engineering or computing job is commonplace.
Finally Iain must mention the walls! Mostly well built even though often of granite (the area is famous for marble and granite) and he has even seen a lunkey! Some walls are formed by inserting oblong slabs of stone into the ground and other field boundaries are often formed by dead hedging and even some hedge laying.
Whichever hotel we stay in we find there is something 'wrong' somewhere however plush it tries to be - but that's India and has its own charm! Examples in our current three star hotel are dodgy light switches, rickety toilet seats and no curtains in the bathroom.
Anyway it's eggs and more eggs for breakfast - boiled, fried, scrambled, omlette except here in Pushkar where no meat, eggs or alcohol is allowed.