Indian Head Gear:

I think someone should do a coffee table book with pictures of all the things these extraordinary people can carry on their heads. Maybe that will be my task on our next trip to India. I unfortunately was only able to capture a few amazing feats of balance.  There are a few images that I cannot get out of my mind. One was of a man carrying tree branches about 15 feet long some how balanced from front to back on his head. He was just casually walking down the road carrying the fuel for cooking several nights dinners. Another image was of a young girl with one long pole across her head with around fourteen empty water jugs balanced on either end. I think they were empty? I can't imagine that she could have carried it otherwise. I did capture a few people as we zoomed along the roads. We would be driving along and before I knew it we were passing by these amazing feats of strength and balance. I can't imagine how long it would have taken us to get where we were going if I asked to stop every time I saw something I so wanted to take a picture of.

Balancing act

I like this picture because it shows a typical day in India. This women is coming home after washing her clothes in the stream with her trusty cow waiting to greet her. What I didn't notice was the satellite dish on the roof of this meagre home on the side of the highway. There is one of those crazy Indian contrasts.

Fabric donut

Notice the fabric ring placed on the head to help with the balance. It would also help decrease the pressure on the top of the head.

Beautiful working clothes

I love how spectacular the working women look as they carry the load of laundry on their heads. 

Relaxed effort

As I watched these people carry these parcels on their heads I wondered what the thinking is? I guess they feel their necks and backs are stronger than their arms?

Do I have a vase on my head?

Doesn't it seem like this is effortless for her?