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Published: September 14th 2006
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We made it to Jaipur quite comfortably on the sleeper class train, we were a bit sketched out when we bought the ticket, but we ended up sitting beside a very nice Indian family and thier dad spoke quite good english and explained "the trains" to us. Their daughter in 6th grade was fun too, she had a good supply of treats and snacks. She could speak english, but was shy. She really liked western pop music on the iPOD but I made her ask to use it in english and that made her blush.
Stepping off the train and the onslaught of rickshaw drivers offering to take you anywhere in the city (really they mean the hotel that gives them a nice, juicy commission) was a bit overwhelming. After being on the train for 19 hours we opted to walk, but got a little lost. Finding your way can sometimes be a challange because you never know who to trust when asking for directions... are they telling you the correct way, or the way they want you to go - thier friends guesthouse. After about 45 minutes of walking we found a nice guesthouse named in the guidebook, but
they wouldn't negotiate on the price of a non a/c room so we simply went next door and got a room for about half the price! We've discovered that pretty much all prices are negotiable or you just go to the next place and things are cheaper. Jarrod found some sunglasses and the shop had a sticker "FIXED PRICE" yet we got the glasses for about 60%!o(MISSING)f their original asking price. Even at the internet cafe you can bargin for the rate you'll pay. Most things you can get for about half of what they first say the price is. Tourist places are even worse. A boy trying to sell me postcards started at 125 rupees and by the time I was in the richshaw to leave his price was down to 20 rupees. But you do have to be in the mood for bartering and then it can be quite fun.
Pink City
We had a great time wandering around the old city bazaars which is inside the pink walls. It was a nice change from the typical tourist bazaars because if you followed little alley ways off the main road you got to see normal
things that Indians use like laundry soap (we picked up a laundry soap bar that works great for 2 rupees (or 5 cents CND). After a while the venders did get a bit annoying trying to talk to you and sell you their stuff. Often it was "Ah, nice shirt. How much did you pay for it? Same shirt only 100 rupees. Please, come in." Why would I want the same shirt I'm already wearing!?!
Palace of the Winds
We visited the Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Winds, where the lady friends of the king used to live around 1800AD. It looks like a beehive and was great to watch the city below like the women used to in the old days. It has many small peep holes that the women could look out of but not be seen.
Jal Mahal
We found a nice rickshaw driver, Mohammad, that took us to see Jal Mahal, a palace built in the middle of a man made lake. From afar it looks beautiful, but up close the lake is not one I would touch my toe in. It was made by a dam and it hasn't rained much here so
the water is stagnent and likely a breeding ground for diseases. A few water buffalo were braving it out and were trudging by when we were there.
Amber and Jaigarh Fort
Mohammad picked us up the following day as well and took us to see the forts. He was pretty helpful stopping at viewpoints and taking our picture together. Amber Palace and Fort was interesting and some sections still had quite a bit of original carvings, paintings and mirror work.
From Amber we walked uphill 1km in the heat of the day to what we thought was more of Amber. However, it was a new fort, Jaigarh, and part of our fee to Mohammad was to drive us there. Jaigarh was never captured by enemies and has the biggest cannon in the world. The view of the city is stunning and the fort covered the entire top of the mountain so it was easy to see why no one ever was able to capture it. Mohammad was funny and nice, but pulled some classic Indian antics. For example, we had to pay for his lunch and parking, but he did wait around all day while we explored the
Hawa Mahal
Outside of the Palace of the Wind forts. At the end of our journey, Mohammed asked us to write in his book (they all have a book of testimonials of happy customers) but I was pooped and just didn't feel like it so I declined and then regretted it as he seemed truly hurt. Ah well, it's not the first person I've insulted here.
Next were heading farther West to possilby embark on a camel saffari!
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Tahna
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Looks like you guys are having an awesome time! I'm loving the updates! Stay safe. Love ya.