Memories that appear in technicolor in my mind are surrounded by vaguer sensations, a sign of the time that has passed. Pinks and reds, of sun and blue sky and people, lots of people -- I think of all the places I have been, Rajasthan presents one of the richest array of details -- tassels, jewels, mirrors, sequins, veils and shawls...

I was there a long time ago, over half of my life ago. A blink of the eye in the history of the land, of course, but long enough that the name of the place conjures up a feeling for which I can't quite find the words.