Okay so this week for the black and white challenge, Cee wants bikes or anything related to two wheels. Initially I thought I had only two photos but rifling through my archives I was surprised to find how many bikes had crept in without my knowledge! Good for me and them 😀
A surreptitiously taken photo of the fascinating insides of a bike in a busy marketplace.
The good old bicycle, the lifeline for many. I used to love cycling as a child and often wish I could cycle now as well, but I feel shy and embarrassed.
This one I have shared before, perhaps some of you remember. Quite an eye-catcher right?
A front view with minimal color. Which one do you prefer?
On the streets of Udaipur, while admiring a camel with its nose in the air.
The car and bike halt deferentially as the camel made its way sedately across the highway 😉
A bike parked near a distillation flask used to prepare rose essence.
Two bikes near a massive gulmohar tree (at least the leaves look like that). The creepy roots are fascinating aren’t they? Oops I forgot the bikes were supposed to be the focus!
Hmm not sure if those are the same bikes as in the previous pic. But the tree is definitely different – such character don’t you think? I’m fascinated by how trees don’t seem to have any requirement to follow rules. Anything goes and each to her own is their mantra. Yet each is particular and conscientious about fulfilling their CSR (corporate social responsibility) for the less fortunate. By just being, they replenish the oxygen in the air – isnt that amazing?
Tree Cheers to them.
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful week.
Looks like night doesnt it? But trust me, the sun was right behind the tree allowing me to block it even if for a little while. The tree caught my eye for two reasons – the lighting and the funny bushy stumps/arms. And of course it was tall and being an Eucalyptus tree it reminded me of home. But yet the leaves seemed different and not so long and pointy. So which one do you prefer? Me? I still haven’t made up my mind 😀
It is also a celebration of Irish culture.
Bright and colorful aren’t they?
It was freezing cold and my sister caught a cold despite being wrapped in layers. But you wouldn’t be able to make that out looking at these young girls would you?
I thought this little boy was the best – what about you? It is also a custom to wear green on 
I was fascinated by this find and carried it inside for some special treatment
A collection of dried Ashoka tree leaves.
Banana leaves against a cloudy evening sky
Eucalyptus tree standing tall against the litchi trees. Don’t miss the fair elbows!
The greens attempts to tone down the exuberance of the reds
Next I have a really batty tree for you. Yes! those black things are bats waiting for darkness to fall.
A golden tree by the road
A mystery tree with strange tendrils hanging down like some exotic jewelry. Anyone know which tree? Ferdi?
The last one standing at the Chittorgarh fort. Oh the stories it could tell
This one’s having a really bad hair day 😀 Or perhaps it has seen some really hair-raising stuff in its heydays. After all this is the place for committing jauhar and sati.
I clicked this patch of clover leaves hoping to find a lucky four-leafed one at leisure. No such luck yet – what about you?
All neat and tidy, ready to toe the line and follow rules and regulations with not a hair out of place.
And then we have this place where there’s no sense or order, each to her own to be as she likes no questions asked. Which do you prefer?
And finally the Sun kisses this one good night 🙂
The ladies were out for a bit of a munch at brunch
Perhaps share a few confidences away from the old hag and other potential eavesdroppers.
Oh but wait – what was that? Danger!!!
Time for a graceful and disdainful retreat – the leading lady led the way, while a tardy youngster grabbed a mouthful for the road.
Feeling brave, I ventured closer. She gave me a beady glare – No interviews or autographs please. I have other urgent business to attend to – she trotted off on…
And steadies:
Look this way
And that way
A massive storage container. But I cannot quite fathom what exactly they stored – grains perhaps. But how did they scrape the bottom of the barrel? By climbing in I guess. Good place to play hide and seek but only if it is at least half full with solid stuff.
A view of the Chittor fort. These days, Sound and Light shows are held every evening on the lawns. Somehow in the sepia version I can hear the tinkling of anklets, perhaps a teasing laugh and the rustle of silk skirts. Can you?
Next I have a selection of doors – an ordinary wooden locked door
A grade higher – a designer door. It is clearly the residence of someone of some importance.
Just beyond the gate is the battlefield where the Rajputs fought the invaders. Elephants were used in battle and to hammer the gates open. And hence the spikes at the height of elephant heads to injure them – innovative but tragic for the innocent participants.
A steep flight of stairs and as the warning sign indicates very low roofed as well. The City Palace at Udaipur is a maze of such flights of stairs from which there is no escape especially for the scrunched up outsider. Smart thinking eh.
A BW version of street art – the previous post of Cee’s 
Back to the palace walls and its intricate design.
Woody branches waiting for spring to pass before growing leaves to protect itself from the blazing Sun. Strange isn’t it that trees undress during winters and dress up in summers?
Just another Neem tree residing in a palace courtyard with not much to do except litter the place with golden yellow leaves every spring.
Rooted to the spot and bored to her core, she yawns and rustles her branches. Oh the tales she could tell, if anyone cared to listen.
And lo behold she has gathered quite a few fresh green followers glistening with eagerness – now if only one of them could type 😉
Stories and more 