DAY 11/12: Jaisalmer to Udaipur: Hotel Mewar Inn

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We'd booked the overnight bus to leave Jaisalmer on 19th Feb at 3pm to arrive in Udaipur at 7am on 20th Feb (today).

We'd arranged a hotel that wasn't listed in the Lonely Planet because the prices were dirt cheap- even cheaper than the crack-den/ sewage smelling dump from that first night in Jaisalmer. Travelling in a bunker on an overnight bus is not something I would recommend. First of all- no toilet stops. Laura jumped off to use the loo only to be signposted on to a nearby bush- she went to check it out and saw piles and piles of human 'crap' where people from the buses use it as a toilet. Throw in the bumpiest journey of your life, sticking to the filthy mattress, the crazy horns going mental and the general hustle and bustle of a bus- pretty much a nightmare.

We got off the bus to a swarm of people shouting and offering us accomodation- then like a knight in shining armour our pick up man collected us. We didn't expect much from this hotel given the price, but when we got there he showed us the room. Hot water 24 hours (most places only offer mornings or evenings), fully functioning TV (our first one with English channels!), fresh towels and bed linen (we've had to use our own up to now and they have yet to be washed...) so after a quick shower we went back to bed for a few hours. He even brought us some tea to have in the room!

All in all the place is lovely and an absolute godsend at this point in our trip. They have a launderette so we're going to wash all our things and enjoy having HBO- fingers crossed for a couple of episodes of Sex and the City! This is our final place before we head to Goa so it feels a bit like the finishing line is in the distance now (for this part of the trip anyway).

Given that there's not much to say about the past few days I might as well give an overview of our impressions of India and put a few random pictures up from here, there and everywhere. Well, India is dirty, smelly and unhygienic- that's a fact, not an opinion. You see poverty everywhere and considering the cow is supposed to be sacred- it seems odd that those without owners are left to roam the streets eating paper or plastic bags. I'm not an animal lover in the slightest but it is sad to see, actually. That said, the place does grow on you and once you've ignored the litter-ridden streets there are some really gorgeous places to see and interesting things to do. The food is amazing and some people are lovely- although it does feel that sometimes you are seen as a walking cash machine and a 'rip off' opportunity.

Laura is already planning on coming back- I'm not that enthusiastic but so far I'm definitely glad I came and saw India for myself.

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Photos

Behind closed doors
The woman's view from the confinement of her room in the fort

Market
I love these ones!

Market
I think you can tell- we love a good market... Laura is terrified of leaving me alone for 5 minutes incase I buy another throw/ pashmina that I don't need.

Comments

[Stuart]

Memar Inn
I stayed there in 1992 and again in '94. It seems much improved. What did you pay for a double with a/c? I'm thinking about returning. Stuart