Last, last weekend me and 3 girlfriends went to Jaipur, a place in India known for the silver and the Amber Fort, among other things. We had such a good time!!!
The way there was a little rough, however. We booked trains at the last minute so we had zero options. We had to take the lowest-class sleeper car available at 4am. Ughhh. I can't even explain to you the horror that was that train ride (there and back). Bunks with strangers in the dark, with windows with no screens. It gets COLD in India at night, especially with the wind whistling in through the window. Never again.
When we got there we got the free taxi service from the hotel to pick us up at the train station. We were staying at the Krishna Palace and it was SO CUTE! Sadly I don't have any pics of it. Before arriving in Jaipur we had made arrangements with an auto driver to drive us around for 2 days and show us the city. My housemates had toured with him when they were in Jaipur and recommended him. His name is Raj and he showed us so many wonderful things that we never would have found ourselves.
Day 1:
One of the first things we did was to climb to the top of a very tall spire (height, claustrophobia, spiral staircase phobias all challenged) and look over the entire city of Jaipur. What a great intro to the city!
We went to see some tombs that aren't listed in the guidebooks and they were gorgeous!! We were the only people there which is an excitement in itself in India. There were courtyards full of these intricately carved tombs. Frankly I have no idea who is buried there, but that didn't really matter to us. We just enjoyed walking around this deserted gravesite chatting and taking pictures on such a beautiful day. The weather was perfect too- sunny and mid- 70s.
We explored the entire site, finding some underground areas which we first thought were dungeons, but realized were actually for keeping livestock or something else much less interesting. Then we found a maze of rooms built into the ground which were suuuper creepy. It was completely silent, except for the flapping of pigeon wings (more on those horrible creatures later). I actually got kinda scared at one point when we stumbled upon a decrepit-looking doll in one of the rooms. It looked as though her eyes followed you everywhere. We proceeded to get the hell out of there and back into the sun!!
When I was walking around by myself I was followed by a demon pigeon, no joke. It would actually walk around behind me making scary pigeon noises, and when I entered a tomb it would fly up into the eaves and growl. I swear. It would also fly around my head, scaring the crap out of me. Now I'm a little fearful of pigeons... They are also really big here! Like, they might be able to do damage if you provoke them. Seriously.
We also went to the famous Water Palace! This has a really interesting story- the water body was dammed so it could be built. This ruler wanted part of his palace to be under the water for protection, and for a cool place to go in the summer. Wild.
Elephants!!! I just love them. They are such sweet and intelligent creatures and I never wanted to leave. If you're not careful, I'll bring an elephant back as my souvenir :) I fed, pet, hugged, became best friends with 2 elephants. And they blessed me! My life is complete. That's one of things I'll miss about India- you pretty much get blessed everywhere you go, even in fancy restaurants. I know it might seem kitschy to some people, but it really does put me in a better mood. So anyway I made people take a bunch of pics of me with my new best friends.
Also, because this was not just my trip I was dragged along shopping. Hmmph. It was pretty cool though- Raj led us through all of these back alleys to a jewelry wholesaler. It was really secretive and I felt like I was in a movie!! Naturally I don't care one bit for jewelry so I just sat back and watched everyone pore over rings, necklaces, and earrings for what seemed like hours. Oh wait, it was hours. I did see 2 pieces I liked so I inquired of price, tried them on, and bought them all within 5 minutes. THAT'S how I like to shop lol. No muss, no fuss. I'm wearing them almost every day actually, trying to get used to wearing rings.
After such a long day we just went home and hit the hay. After not sleeping all night on the train, and having such a full day we were ready to sleep for sure!
Day 2:
Moooore shopping. I won;t bore you with the details, but I did buy maroon pants, and a green kurta (traditional women's tunic-like-clothing). I'm trying to branch out.
Most of the day was taken up by the Amber Fort, something Jaipur is famous for. What an amazing place! All of the old palaces and architecture here is really something to see. It's quite a trek up to the fort, but it was good to actually get some exercise here in India, the land of fried food and no walking. I don't even know what to say about this place so I'll just post some pictures :)
In the evening we went to the MONKEY TEMPLE- another one of my highlights in India. Jaipur really was just awesome. It's called the monkey temple because the area is overrun by thousands of monkeys, but it is really a Sun Temple. I got really close to wild monkeys which was amazing/a little scary, but if you don't provoke them there's no problem. This is another situation of something really interesting being at the top of a really big hill, so it's good that it had gotten a little cooler by then!! When we got to the top, we were greeted by a woman who blessed us (yay!) and her husband, who are in charge of the temple. This place is breathtaking, especially at sunset. Again, words can't do it justice so I'll post pics. The monkeys actually aren't allowed in the temple itself so it's a very peaceful place.
That night at 1am we headed back to Delhi :( We all wanted to stay in Jaipur forever. The people were so friendly, there was hardly any traffic noise, and the air was pretty clean, all compared to Delhi. I'll spare you the details of the train ride back- see beginning of post for a reminder. Never. Again.
ttfn
The way there was a little rough, however. We booked trains at the last minute so we had zero options. We had to take the lowest-class sleeper car available at 4am. Ughhh. I can't even explain to you the horror that was that train ride (there and back). Bunks with strangers in the dark, with windows with no screens. It gets COLD in India at night, especially with the wind whistling in through the window. Never again.
 |
| We look happy...don't let that deceive you |
When we got there we got the free taxi service from the hotel to pick us up at the train station. We were staying at the Krishna Palace and it was SO CUTE! Sadly I don't have any pics of it. Before arriving in Jaipur we had made arrangements with an auto driver to drive us around for 2 days and show us the city. My housemates had toured with him when they were in Jaipur and recommended him. His name is Raj and he showed us so many wonderful things that we never would have found ourselves.
Day 1:
One of the first things we did was to climb to the top of a very tall spire (height, claustrophobia, spiral staircase phobias all challenged) and look over the entire city of Jaipur. What a great intro to the city!
We went to see some tombs that aren't listed in the guidebooks and they were gorgeous!! We were the only people there which is an excitement in itself in India. There were courtyards full of these intricately carved tombs. Frankly I have no idea who is buried there, but that didn't really matter to us. We just enjoyed walking around this deserted gravesite chatting and taking pictures on such a beautiful day. The weather was perfect too- sunny and mid- 70s.
We explored the entire site, finding some underground areas which we first thought were dungeons, but realized were actually for keeping livestock or something else much less interesting. Then we found a maze of rooms built into the ground which were suuuper creepy. It was completely silent, except for the flapping of pigeon wings (more on those horrible creatures later). I actually got kinda scared at one point when we stumbled upon a decrepit-looking doll in one of the rooms. It looked as though her eyes followed you everywhere. We proceeded to get the hell out of there and back into the sun!!
We also went to the famous Water Palace! This has a really interesting story- the water body was dammed so it could be built. This ruler wanted part of his palace to be under the water for protection, and for a cool place to go in the summer. Wild.
Elephants!!! I just love them. They are such sweet and intelligent creatures and I never wanted to leave. If you're not careful, I'll bring an elephant back as my souvenir :) I fed, pet, hugged, became best friends with 2 elephants. And they blessed me! My life is complete. That's one of things I'll miss about India- you pretty much get blessed everywhere you go, even in fancy restaurants. I know it might seem kitschy to some people, but it really does put me in a better mood. So anyway I made people take a bunch of pics of me with my new best friends.
Also, because this was not just my trip I was dragged along shopping. Hmmph. It was pretty cool though- Raj led us through all of these back alleys to a jewelry wholesaler. It was really secretive and I felt like I was in a movie!! Naturally I don't care one bit for jewelry so I just sat back and watched everyone pore over rings, necklaces, and earrings for what seemed like hours. Oh wait, it was hours. I did see 2 pieces I liked so I inquired of price, tried them on, and bought them all within 5 minutes. THAT'S how I like to shop lol. No muss, no fuss. I'm wearing them almost every day actually, trying to get used to wearing rings.
After such a long day we just went home and hit the hay. After not sleeping all night on the train, and having such a full day we were ready to sleep for sure!
Day 2:
Moooore shopping. I won;t bore you with the details, but I did buy maroon pants, and a green kurta (traditional women's tunic-like-clothing). I'm trying to branch out.
Most of the day was taken up by the Amber Fort, something Jaipur is famous for. What an amazing place! All of the old palaces and architecture here is really something to see. It's quite a trek up to the fort, but it was good to actually get some exercise here in India, the land of fried food and no walking. I don't even know what to say about this place so I'll just post some pictures :)
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| At the top of the fort, with the mountains and Jaipur behind me |
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| A hall covered entirely in mirrors!! |
In the evening we went to the MONKEY TEMPLE- another one of my highlights in India. Jaipur really was just awesome. It's called the monkey temple because the area is overrun by thousands of monkeys, but it is really a Sun Temple. I got really close to wild monkeys which was amazing/a little scary, but if you don't provoke them there's no problem. This is another situation of something really interesting being at the top of a really big hill, so it's good that it had gotten a little cooler by then!! When we got to the top, we were greeted by a woman who blessed us (yay!) and her husband, who are in charge of the temple. This place is breathtaking, especially at sunset. Again, words can't do it justice so I'll post pics. The monkeys actually aren't allowed in the temple itself so it's a very peaceful place.
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| Menagerie!! |
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| Sun Temple |
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| Sunset from the top of the Sun Temple |
That night at 1am we headed back to Delhi :( We all wanted to stay in Jaipur forever. The people were so friendly, there was hardly any traffic noise, and the air was pretty clean, all compared to Delhi. I'll spare you the details of the train ride back- see beginning of post for a reminder. Never. Again.
ttfn
Love the Elephant pics, and oh my what a post! You look so goo din these pics, and on the FB ones (several choir members have remarked how you are beaming and look so good). Loves ya. PapaS
ReplyDeleteHi Sweetie! I can't believe I didn't hear about the train ride until now! Yowza! Jaipur sounds absolutely wonderful! I so enjoy imagining you in all of these fabulous places having an experience of a lifetime! Buy more:)!!
ReplyDeleteAll my love,
Mom
I loved this post, am printing so I'll have a new picture or two for my new office space! This is indeed a trip for you to remember!
ReplyDelete