Rajasthan's Capital
Trip Start
May 04, 2009
1
9
13
Trip End
Jul 30, 2009
Where I stayed
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Monday, June 8, 2009
A few hours into the trip, Saki - my female travel companion showed me a passport photo and signaled that it was her, two years previously. I smiled encouragingly and nodded an enthusiastic "OK".
She began to giggle. I laughed, in turn. Kazuma then explained that, alas, the photo was not of Saki, but indeed of her friend back home in Tokyo. I bit my tongue short of cracking out the classic "Gee I don't know - you folks all look the same to me" and was suddenly glad that I would be once again traveling alone once we reached Jaipur - Rajathan's Capital City.
Suffice to say my spirits did not survive the 12 hour journey, and once we reached Jaipur I no longer resembled the happy-hippy-traveler-type, much more the disgruntled figure of a middle-aged man. I bid Kazuma and Saki farewell, happy travels, etc. and set off into the 5.00am madness of Jaipur. I had no idea that any place could be so busy at such an early hour, but once again, India has pulled another fast one on me.
The word I would use to describe Jaipur is tenacious. The hassle-factor has reached and all-time high, which as a result, has made the most simple of tasks (i.e. walking to the shop to purchase a bottle of water) a marathon that strains body and mind. Wading through the loud, tenacious, in-your-face public of Jaipur's railway station car park, I decided that my time spent here would be short.
I located my hotel - the Atithi Guesthouse and walked inside, much to the disgust and bewilderment of the touts that had followed me from the railway station. Again, due to the season, I got a very nice room cheap, and was relieved to find a functioning shower that actually rivals mine back home!
Rested and restored, I ventured out to explore my surroundings. I was more than eager to sample the delights of the Pink City until, no more than 100 yards down the road from my hotel, I found myself once again swamped and being hounded by locals. The experience is draining to say the least, and although I consider myself to be a relatively relaxed person, I could certainly feel my patience fraying as I said for the 10000th time - "NO"
I soldiered on, however, ultimately relying on petulant techniques such as answering in Welsh and stating in my thickest North-Walian accent "No Engleesh". This seems to be effective, albeit very childish - I am not proud.
I visited the Old City - its bustling bazaars and winding side-streets make for nice walks, though the heat is close to unbearable at times and again, tenacious locals are a pain. The City Palace, erected in the 1700s, was an interesting visit - here I saw the halls of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh who, according to the audio guide - was something of a hero - insisting on cleaning his own laundry, wrapping his own turban and on occassions, cooking his own meals; the founder of Jaipur is held in high regard. I also saw the largest Silver object in the world - enormous water jugs used for the Maharaja's visit to the UK. Which was nice.
My third day in Jaipur, and I decided to visit to Amber fort. Although the Mughal era forts do tend to be very similar, I was still hugely impressed with this one. Towering on a sheer cliff-edged mountain, the Amber palace stood proudly - the surrounding fort walls snaking up impossibly steep cliff faces. I walked along the walkways up the mountain and had some stunning views of the palace below, the jagged mountains and Jaipur in the distance.
My friendly rickshaw-wallah took me back to the city and to the stunning temples of Gatore Ki Chhatriyan. Here I had an opportunity to take off my sandals, walk on the cool marble and sit in absolute peace. I decided to leave when a local boy spotted me and demand that I give him
"20 Rupees"
"No"
"Ok. Your watch"
More than ready to leave Jaipur, I made my way to the railway station, where I booked a ticket for Agra - departure 6.10am tomorrow.
And so ends my short yet already-too-long stay at Jaipur.
I am now more than ready to reach the cool, laid-back areas of the North. I just sincerely hope that I can survive Agra and Delhi without having either a mental breakdown or a massive heart attack.
(exaggeration!)
Comments
Gwell i Ddod
Haia Owain, gobeithio dy fod erbyn hyn wedi dadflino ac ymlacio tipyn. Roedd y daith yna yn siwr o fod yn flinedig yn gorffoddol a meddyliol,ond dyna un arall wedi mynd heibio a gobeithio y bydd pethau yn fwy boddhaol o hyn ymlaen,ond rhaid dweud fod beth wyt yn ei ysgrifennu yn gwneud darllen da,a mae y lluniau eto yn werth eu gweld.
Hwyl fawr unwaith eto a dal ati a cadw dy ysbryd byddi yn falch rhyw ddydd dy fod wedi gwneud hyn,cofion a chariad, Gwen a Ken XXXXXXXX
Bye bye Jaipur
Well there you are in Agra. I'm sure that you will enjoy the Taj Mahal. Share a thought for Lady Di who appeared on her own for the first time without her silly husband. Take a pici of yourself in a comtemplating mood to mirror the famous picture. All the best. I'll keep skype on after school just in case. gros bisous
bruno
Ych
Gwbod yn UNION sut ti'n teimlo, ma hawkers mewn trefi felna yn boen yn din go iawn! Mae nhw yn fy ngynyrfu i wrth feddwl amdanynw! You are not alone!
Amber Fort
Gweld y llun yma fel un wedi ei baentio gan artist o'r cyfnod ciwbistaidd, hoffi'r symylrwydd ac yn falch nad oedd pobl yn y llun yma o leiaf.Pe tawn i yn ddigon lwcus i fod yn ymweld a rhai o'r adeiliadau yma mae gennyf ofn na fuasa gan dy nain obaith mul i fy nghael yn ol i'r gwesty.Er mae'n rhaid i mi gyfaddef na fuaswn yn gallu oddef y gwres llethol yn hir iawn.Nain yn dweuf y buasa hi yn ddigon hapus i wadnu adref efo'r jwg arian!