Remember how Maggie Smith came to India for orthopedic surgery in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel?  Maybe this was her surgeon.

Speaking of marigolds, we’re told they are sacred because they are saffron-colored, which is a sacred color. We’ve been garlanded with them, they’re offered to the gods, they’re everywhere.

We’ve seen some amazing turbans. And moustaches.

India has the best bling in the world.

Music is everywhere, played on traditional instruments.

Did I mention that horses, camels and cattle are blinged out, too? Even a few water buffalo.

Our Mercedes bus shares the roads with all kinds of animals and herders. This is a common sight.

The Maharajah had to keep his carrier pigeons somewhere.

In Jaipur we saw quite a few Muslims. While everyone in our group is very nice and we get along well, I was saddened and pained to hear one person in our group make bigoted statements toward Muslims. Not every terrorist is a Muslim and not every Muslim is a terrorist.

I can’t even tell you how many beautiful bowls of rose petals we’ve seen in our various hotels. Gorgeous.

All gemstones except diamonds come through India, we were told. We visited a place where gems were cut, polished and set into jewelry. And then were given the “opportunity” to buy some. I resisted, but some didn’t.

How many people can you cram into a tuk-tuk? Our guide says the most he’s counted is 17. They’re made for three, I think.  Whenever I see one, which is all the time, I can’t help but think of Judi Dench, asking, “What’s a tuk-tuk?”

We are as big an attraction to the natives as they are to us. They stared and took our photos, sometimes inserting themselves in our group for photos. Who knows how they’ll be used…