Moustache

(note: these posts are no longer in any kind of order, being published as we get them ready. Never mind, just be entertained.)

Story and photo by Maggie
Pushkar
Saturday, November 12


The Mela grounds is a huge sand-floored stadium surrounded by low concrete bleachers offering some shade and a place to sit between sleeping men and cow-dung stains.

On the way to the Mela grounds today, a man offered an encounter with a cobra, which he held in a little basket. It was standing in full hooded glory, and as I backed away its owner said, “Don’t worry, it’s a nice cobra, an Indian cobra, no poison.”

We were heading to see the moustache contest. But first we had to wait out the cricket match between Indians and foreigners, which took an hour longer than expected. The Indians won, amidst great jubilation.

The moustaches were magnificent. A few foreigners joined in the fun. Every entrant put on a show, but none could top the men who pulled from their bushy beards, long strands that kept coming and coming and coming.

The jubilant winner!