Cow Means Stop, Rock Means No
My last days in Jaisalmer were spent observing. Learning customs, flying kites with kids and the like. I didn’t go to any amazing places, save the beautiful fort and the sacred Jain temples within. But I must say, it has been some of my most rewarding time here. I have learned there are only two rules in India: cow means stop, rock means no. With cows, they’re the closest thing this country has to traffic police. The cow is revered here, and is thus the only thing that can get people to slow down on the streets. Don’t believe me? I watched a guy crash his bike into a tree to avoid one. The cow didn’t seem phased one bit by the situation.
As for picking up rocks, they are the universal way to get the street dogs to leave you alnoe and cause the touts to rnu for the hills. You could say that these realizatinos were meaningless, but in a country of chaos, they’re two rules to live by.
Tags: Travel
TravellingJosh
I love the symbolism with the cow and the rocks. It’s good to be able to pick up these basic rules in a land that you’re visiting. The cow imagery truly helps us visualize a land that is quite different from our daily lives.