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Published: September 28th 2007
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Well already on the move. We haven't been able to stay long anywhere with our tightly packed schedule, but hasn't seemed rushed at all, which is nice. We arrived in Jaipur Sunday night at almost one in the morning, we were supposed to arrive at 10, it was delayed. When we got here we had planned to stay up at the Tiger Fort, Nahargarh but we called when we got here and no one answered. Instead of taking a chance we changed our minds and found a local place. However once the rickshaw driver stopped and we got out, we realized it had a similar name but wasn't that exactly one. We were scammed. Many riskshaw drivers bring them to their place of choice since they get a commission off of our fee. Either way it was too late to argue so we decided to stay here. It actually was a great decision, even being a bit out of the way, the family who owns the hostel is extremely nice. We have had a great time staying here so far, plus Scott was able to watch cricket last night with them well I was on the internet. India won!
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to yesterday (Monday) morning (i'm getting myself confused so i'm sure you guys are as well). So Monday was our first real day in Jaipur we decided to go important/touristy part the; Old or Pink City. It's the pink city because obviously it is all painted that color, the reason being that during that time the color symbolized hospitality. It's the oldest part of Jaipur that has high walls built around it, which now separates it from everything that was built up afterwards. Since it was a bit far we took a rickshaw to the Pink City, our main mean of transportation. We had our driver drop us off by the Iswari Minar Swaraga Sal a landmark in the area. There was supposed to by an area to climb up and look at the city but after searching and not finding it we moved on to the next place. Jantar Mantar is an observatory which they used to calcuate eclipses, determine the day, time, year, etc. by looking up at the sky. The constructions were enormous! They has a much of sun dials, as well as a construction for every zodiac sign. Depending what time of year it was that
was the one they would climb to get their readings. Our last stop in the Pink City was the City Palace. Inside it had a collection of royal costumes and shawls, as well as guns and weapons. Both areas were amazing! Firstwe went to the clothes to see what royalty used to wear. It is actually some what similiar to what most people wear now except for the fabric used. The weapons were just as interesting, seeing many of the dager and sword handles made my crystal and jade. There was also plenty of courtyard to walk around in the Hall of Public Audience. By the time we finished wanderig around the Palace it was late in the afternoon. Our plan was to go up to Nahargarh, or Tiger Fort (a castle) for dinner and to watch the sunset over Jaipur. We found a rickshaw that would take up us and wait, then bring us back down again when we were done. It was about a 20 minute drive and we were able to the city of Jaipur almost the whole time. We also drove by camels and elephants that we were sharing the road with. Once we got up
there we walked around a bit. The views were beautiful and there were monkeys all over the place. However the only place there wasn't a view was at the restaurant, we also realized that they weren't going to serve dinner till a lot later, and our driver decided to give us a half hour limit before he wanted to go back down, wasn't that nice?! So we opted for a light snack to hold us over and headed back down into town early than we planned. Even though it was all cut a little short we still didn't make it back to our hostel till around 8pm. That night we ordered from the hostel restaurant. Probably a big mistake.
After changing our plans around a bit we decided to head Pushkar the next day, however that didn't end up being possible. Scott ended up getting sick from something he ate the night before. We're thinking that since that was the only time we both got something completely different and didn't share. I was still well. So we delayed and stayed in Jaipur for another night. I stayed around most of the afternoon to take care of him, but after
Jaipur
On our way up to Tiger Fort with the auto rickshaw a while a was getting really hungry and didn't want to chance the food at the hostel so instead I went for a walk. This walked ended up taking me to back to the Old City, where again I walked around for a while. Despite all the good deals on skirts, bags, etc.. I didn't buy anything. I actually stayed far again since I almost got talked into buying a sari the day before. So I just continued to walk until I found a place to eat. Unfortunately it wasn't that easy. There was nothing in the Old City unless you walked down a bunch of side roads, and I definitely didn't want to get lost so that was out. Eventually I headed out of that part and back into the main part of Jaipur. Even then it seemed ridiculously hard to find a place. (James you're right, I totally understand what you mean now and thanks to granola bars I didn't starve. We have been bringing them around everywhere!) As I was looking for a restaurant I found an Airtel and tried to get my phone fixed. An hour and a half later it still wasn't fixed and I
Tiger Fort
With the little bit of sunset we were able to see was done trying. I left the place and walked into the very first Indian restaurant for dinner. It was delicious! I am definitely a fan of the food here. Afterwards since it was dark I took a rickshaw back to tend to my patient, who had been sleeping this whole time. Thanks to the meds from Grandpa John, Scott is well and healthy again! Now off to Pushkar!
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