Drink and drugs

India is such a diverse country with a multitude of languages, different cultures and attitudes that its almost a continent in its own right. It's no surprise then that the country has come to be known as the 'sub-continent' and I think you could spend your life travelling the country and still never 'do India'. When I was last here teaching me and friends used to joke about the travellers who we met who used to brag about 'doing India'. I mean how can you 'do' a country!

The differences across the country are reflected in the attitude towards drink and drugs. In some parts of the country its accepted to drink alcohol and not take drugs whereas in other states alcohol is prohibited and drugs openly accepted, albeit illegally. Pushkar is one such place. As the city is a sacred Hindu city it isn't possible to buy alcohol and if you want to do so it has to be through the black market. Hash and marujianna are openly accepted in the city. Upon arrival into a cafe one of the first things offered by the waiter is is some harsh. People sit passing joints around and one cannot help but wonder how this goes on so unabated. At first I sat round wondering when the police were going to come in! I choose to be cautious and politely refussed of course!