Udaipur, Beautiful Rude City
Trip Start
Dec 01, 1992
1
113
125
Trip End
Jun 01, 1993
Where I stayed
Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
Saturday, March 27, 1993
Actually this time the bus driver turned out to be careful and conscientious, and it was a pleasant journey along a small road through hilly country, even though it did take five hours and one tyre change to get there.
Udaipur appeared to be a beautiful city, with true Rajasthani flavour.
We found lodgings in an old palace near the lake called the Rang Niwas, and were given there what was more like an apartment, two bedrooms with sitting area and a huge bathroom, very nice.
Our first walkies was quite stunning, though hot.
We strolled by the lakeside, along by the massif City Palace, and there was no road as such, just passages, steps and even at one time a door to climb through.
Once we had emerged in the busier part of the old town, we spied many western tourists.
We ate really nice food at the Natural Attic, at a table on a terrace, which had a lovely view of the lake and the ghats beyond.
Outside, we had some trouble with the local boys, and found out by this that the children were pushy and even repulsive. They came along, blocking our way, forcing us to shake hands with them, and when we then tried to carry on they became obnoxious.
A couple of the boys grabbed at Jai's legs, so Andy shooed them away, in response to which they started throwing stones at us. Andy had to get a couple of the local men to set on them and reprimand them, though the vibes from the adults were not much better.
So far then, we much preferred the milder, more reserved Gujurati's.
We checked out a hotel that had been recommended to us on the ghats. It was packed full of budget travellers, all busy socialising with one another. There were no rooms free there.
While there we bumped into an Australian lady who had been in Bhuj and Mount Abu at the same times we had. She had interesting Bohemian style and was fun to talk with. She led us up onto the roof and told us about her travels.
The views over the lake and the palaces were most wonderful from up there.
Udaipur was a truly beautiful city.
We walked back through the City Palace, which now that it was evening was quite deserted. In a art of the palace which had been turned into a quality hotel we dined in a smart restaurant.
Jai managed to make friends with the waiters as usual. He was totally competent at ordering the food himself, paying the bill and collecting the change.
Out by the swimming pool musicians were playing classical music. Jai danced to it and then the musicians called him over. They wanted him to play the tabla but though he was shy at first, he got braver and went up and played them.
Meanwhile he danced.
Oh, it was so entertaining, there in the calm, peaceful palace with the dark starry sky above us and the most beautiful music.
The young genius of the trio played both tabla and stringed instruments perfectly, and said he actually came there to practise. He had even played music before the Queen.
