We arrived in Jaipur last night. We were met by the usual gang of rick shaw drivers outside the station and one particular guy continued to hassle us so we said okay. He sent us to two of his friends who directed us to the most broken up rick shaw I've ever seen. We got in and took off. The made small talk with us and like everyone else, asked the of the relationship between Luke and myself. We have become accustomed to telling people here that we are married as it causes less hassle so we stuck to our story!
We drove around for a long time and wondered what was happening as I read that our guest house wasn't too far from the station. Next thing the rick shaw breaks down. It's in a really dark neighbourhood and we were sure the two of them had made this up as an excuse to rob us. They asked Luke to get out and help push and one of them jumped back in to steer the rickshaw. I was thinking "crap, this is where he starts up the things and take off with me leaving Luke behind!" He must have seen the anxious look on my face because then he announced to Luke, "Don't worry, I'm not going to start up and run away with your wife!" I was terrified!!!! Thankfully we turned a corner and saw a petrol station at the end of the road so their story was obviously true!
We all got in and they stopped a few more times asking for directions before arriving safely at our guest house. They actually turned out to be really nice guys and they even invited us to their brothers birthday party the following day! It was only when I gout out I saw the relief in Luke's face. He too thought they were going to rob us and he also pointed out to me that the rickshaw had been hot wired! It's always horrible arriving in a new city because you are totally at the mercy of the guys who are taking you to wherever you're staying. Thankfully nothing has ever gone wrong but I always feel very anxious and wary of the people.
Today we went to explore the pink city. I felt like we were walking around the streets in Aladdin! The beautiful pink colour washes all the buildings and even though they are quite mundane, it makes them appear extraordinary. First we visited the Jantar Mantar observatory. As we were entering we met yet another rickshaw driver hassling us to take us elsewhere but we politely declined.
Upon entering the observatory a complete calmness descended upon us! Not so many tourists and nobody inside to hassle us for money , goods or service. The clean cut symmetrical lines are unlike anything we have seen since coming to Asia. The orderliness and cleanliness was unlike anything I have seen over the past few months and it was a complete comfort to our brains that are ready to explode!!
We took our time and walked around astounded by the precision of the ancient astronomical instruments. The sun dial reads the time correctly within two seconds! Anyway, I'm not going to preach about the dynamics of these instruments as I don't really understand them, but you can enjoy some seriously symentrical photographs!!
The day with Steff was very nice and I am starting to come around to India, slowly! Jaipur is still hectic but there is more women on the streets which is nice. Everyone still stares and everyone tries to extort money and that still bugs me...but I'm still optimistic and will continue searching for 'Incredible India!'
We drove around for a long time and wondered what was happening as I read that our guest house wasn't too far from the station. Next thing the rick shaw breaks down. It's in a really dark neighbourhood and we were sure the two of them had made this up as an excuse to rob us. They asked Luke to get out and help push and one of them jumped back in to steer the rickshaw. I was thinking "crap, this is where he starts up the things and take off with me leaving Luke behind!" He must have seen the anxious look on my face because then he announced to Luke, "Don't worry, I'm not going to start up and run away with your wife!" I was terrified!!!! Thankfully we turned a corner and saw a petrol station at the end of the road so their story was obviously true!
We all got in and they stopped a few more times asking for directions before arriving safely at our guest house. They actually turned out to be really nice guys and they even invited us to their brothers birthday party the following day! It was only when I gout out I saw the relief in Luke's face. He too thought they were going to rob us and he also pointed out to me that the rickshaw had been hot wired! It's always horrible arriving in a new city because you are totally at the mercy of the guys who are taking you to wherever you're staying. Thankfully nothing has ever gone wrong but I always feel very anxious and wary of the people.
Today we went to explore the pink city. I felt like we were walking around the streets in Aladdin! The beautiful pink colour washes all the buildings and even though they are quite mundane, it makes them appear extraordinary. First we visited the Jantar Mantar observatory. As we were entering we met yet another rickshaw driver hassling us to take us elsewhere but we politely declined.
Upon entering the observatory a complete calmness descended upon us! Not so many tourists and nobody inside to hassle us for money , goods or service. The clean cut symmetrical lines are unlike anything we have seen since coming to Asia. The orderliness and cleanliness was unlike anything I have seen over the past few months and it was a complete comfort to our brains that are ready to explode!!
We took our time and walked around astounded by the precision of the ancient astronomical instruments. The sun dial reads the time correctly within two seconds! Anyway, I'm not going to preach about the dynamics of these instruments as I don't really understand them, but you can enjoy some seriously symentrical photographs!!
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| view of Amber Fort overlooking town |
We left the observatory and the rickshaw driver was still outside waiting for us. He proposed a good deal to take us to the Jal Mahal in his 'Indian Helicopter,' so we decided to go along for the adventure!
Turns out 'Steff' is actually a very cool guy and he brought us around the city explaining different areas to us. He told us the story of the floating palace and afterwards took us down some side streets to an elephant sanctuary! We got to spend time playing with three enormous elephants. It was awesome but quite scary, just the night before we watched a zoo keeper on the news being attacked and trampled by an elephant!!
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| Jal Mahal Water Palace |
Next he took us to the textiles district. First we went to a building where they make the fabric. Then another building where the fabric is dyed and next we went onto another building where the fabric is block printed, embroidered and tailored. It was so interesting seeing this building, I felt like I was back in college in the textiles department!
After seeing the creative process the factory manager brought us upstairs to their wholesale warehouse and showcased ever hind of colour and pattern fabric that had been handmade in their factory. We saw decorative wall hangings and ornate bed linen. They also had delicately printed cottons which we could have had made into any item of clothing desired in just three hours! For me, it was torture! I could have spent a fortune there! In the end, we decided to purchase the most beautiful embroidered throw for Luke's sister Jess who is celebrating her birthday/first holy communion next month. It is on it's way to you now Jess you lucky thing!!
The day with Steff was very nice and I am starting to come around to India, slowly! Jaipur is still hectic but there is more women on the streets which is nice. Everyone still stares and everyone tries to extort money and that still bugs me...but I'm still optimistic and will continue searching for 'Incredible India!'
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