Surat, India is growing at a breathtaking rate: its population has been going up exponentially for the past few decades. People move here from all over the country to seek jobs, primarily in the diamond and textile markets, which are huge.
Motorcycles zoom everywhere on the city streets. We've seen more than one motorcyclist drive through a busy traffic circle while holding a cell phone to his ear with his shoulder! Women passengers wearing saris look nonchalant as they sit side saddle (with no helmets, and sometimes with a child sandwiched between mother and driver).
The city is a colorful blend of the old and the new. The Municipality offices are housed in a building that was originally built in the 1600s during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
Modern office buildings and apartment complexes are going up everywhere, as the city attracts more businesses and more people.
The food here is spicy. But it is colorful and delicious, even if it makes me break into a sweat! Here is a sampling of the food we ate at a restaurant that specializes in the cuisine of Gujarat (the state where Surat is located). Waiters come by every couple of minutes to serve extra helpings.
On an adventure out of the city one day, we drove to the World Heritage town of Champaner and the nearby hilltop fort of Pavagadh. The town and fort are the subjects of legends, battles, and sieges going back hundreds of years. We ascended the mountain by van, by cable car, and finally by foot. Along the way, we made some friends!
For the last bit of the climb, we had to take our shoes off to climb about 165 steep stone stairs to a Muslim temple at the top of the Pavagadh rock. (... so glad I packed an extra pair of socks ...!)
Part way up the mountain, we marveled at the beautiful stone arches of Sat Kaman, which overlooks the valley and the town of Champaner from the edge of a cliff.
Monkeys were on the lookout for handouts in the parking lot. One of my colleague threw a banana to this lucky fellow!
Motorcycles zoom everywhere on the city streets. We've seen more than one motorcyclist drive through a busy traffic circle while holding a cell phone to his ear with his shoulder! Women passengers wearing saris look nonchalant as they sit side saddle (with no helmets, and sometimes with a child sandwiched between mother and driver).
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