Blogs from Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, Asia - page 79

Hello All! Just wanted to drop a line to let you know I am alive and well. I haven't had access to internet up until now, so I have yet to update. Now, so much to say. Indian is beyond imagination for those who have never been here. This is an overcrowded country, which is especially evident in the cities. I am overwhelmed every time I step outside. There a very few sidewalks, and those that do exist have been overtaken by merchants, beggars, or families living on the streets. Traffic is complete anarchy. Aside from the occasional streetlight, people drive the same way we in the states walk in a crowded area. Trucks, cars, busses, rickshaws, motorbikes, cycles, pedestrians, camel-drawn carts, cattle, hogs, dogs, peacocks monkeys...all just basically just try to dodge each other. Constant ... read more

After a few days in Mumbai, we headed out to Jaipur. Originally we had planned to head south to Aurangabad, to see the world famous Ellora and Ajanta caves - but unfortunately there were no tickets available on the trains, and we didn't want to hang around until there was availability - so regretfully we had to skip on this!! Next time I guess - but a word of warning to future travellers - book your tickets at least 3 days before you want to travel!! Let's talk about trains for a bit. The train system in India is actually really impressive. Frequent trains run all over the country, at very reasonable rates. You've got the very basic sleeper class, which is basically a bench, and unlimited people can pile on, stand over you, or even ... read more

We arrived at Jaipur train station at the ungodly hour of 5am tired and dirty. The numerous taxi and tour touts didn't make it any easier - every single one of them hassled us - so much so that I actually worked up enough courage to yell at one and tell him to get lost. First stop was a hotel recommended by the hotel in Jaisalmer where we apparently could get a room to have a shower for a minimal price. We then headed into Jaipur to wander through the streets until afternoon. Jaipur was a tad boring. The walls and buildings were all a musky pink which was interesting, but there wasn't much else to see in the old city itself apart from too many shopkeepers and taxi drivers. We did stop and admire a ... read more

We immediately caught a bus from Nawalgarh to Jaipur, when it was about to leave. It was again a luxury coach, with only two seats on both sides of the aisle, and for the first time we could also store Stephan’s bigger backpack in the luggage compartment overhead. The trip went ahead without any complications or special events. Once again we arrived in darkness and as the bus was entering the bus stand, we were already spotted by a rickshaw tout. Anyway, for the first time, there was the system of prepaid taxis, which gives you a rough idea about the real prices and how much you have been ripped off so far. We wanted to stay at a place where all the other backpackers put up but we did not like it at all. So ... read more

Hindi blockbuster The Pink City of Jaipur Lost in translation. What a feeling to wake up in a castle and then have breakfast on the rooftop watching the peacocks give a full on show of some of their mating rituals. I might add unsuccessful or perhaps it takes a bit of time. There was this one male peacock with the full on feathers out for show and he kept on trying to attract this one female but it didn't seem like she wanted to give him the light of day. It was really kinda funny. I guess in the peacock world they like to play hard to get as well. haha Speaking of the rooftop, yesterday evening we were up there just gazing at the stars. I really wish that I was more knowledgeable when it ... read more