Erik GOT HIS EARS PIERCED!

Erik and I are huge admirers of the ear-piercings that almost all men in Western Rajasthan have.  So, today Erik bought some of the beautiful gold flower earrings and then got his ears pierced.  We thought that we were going to be taken to a piercing store, but we were just led to women on the street who were ready to pierce his ear right then and there.  We weren't sure how sterile and sanitary that would be and when we hesitated, everyone just kept saying "it won't hurt, there won't be blood."  But, we insisted that we at least needed to get some iodine or alcohol to clean his ears and the earrings first.  We then walked to a nearby chemist and got some iodine and cotton (for 20 rupees) and then headed back to the ladies.  We drew quite the crowd-probably because there aren't many foreigners who just sit down on the wooden bench and let the woman jam the earrings through their ears!  Erik was a great sport and he looks great with pierced ears.  The were pierced with just fake diamond studs and in a few days he can put in the gold flowers! We can't wait!  I also got some Rajasthani fashion today.  I bought some beautiful silver earrings-that are gauged!  Just like with the crowd for Erik's piercings, a crowd gathered to offer their opinions about which pair of earrings I should buy!  It was a great day at the market!