Udaipur

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Da da, da daaaa, da dum....This city is where a portion (about the mid-point) of Octupussy (James Bond film) when he chased in a rickshaw through the narrow streets in the city. I know this, because 70% of eating establishments have a 7 pm or 7:30 pm showing of Octupussy. Every night.

Nonetheless, it is a very cool city and definitely a favorite, thus far. Though it is hard to determine if our mentally has adjusted because we are becoming 'travelers', becoming used to the Indian style of life and if the cities are truly better.

We found a clean new hotel (called Hotel Udai Niwas) with a helpful travel agency on the main floor. Pretty much all the hotels have rooftop restaurants with great views of the river and the Lake Palace hotel (a 5-star joint) which is where Octupussy and her followers resided in the movie.

We didn't really do much here. Shopped for this small painting which are famous in this city (the art is in Rajasthani style). We bought a couple of pieces - nothing crazy. Interesting how bargaining a key part of this culture. I find myself bargaining over everything - even a difference of $1, but I can't help it; because $1 is equal to 43 Rupees (it was 44 Rupees about two weeks ago) and 43 Rupees sounds alot more valuable than $1.

We stayed for two days and left on an over night bus to Jaisalmer. Now if you're following on a map, you may notice that we started from Delhi heading in logical southern manner but Jaisalmer is north; this was not intentional as it was a last minute decision. Over dinner one night, we spoke to two Swedish girls who recommended going to Diu (small fishing village). Based on this 15 minutes conversation, we decided it was a good idea. So we postponed our train to Goa (we also had an issue booking from Bombay to Goa because most trains for 1 week or 2 were sold out) until later to make time for Jaisalmer than back down to Mt. Abu and continuing to Diu. From there we will head down the west coast to Bombay, Goa and then Kerala.

Back to the bus - it was a sleeper bus. Picture (not sure I took a photo) a bus in the 2 seat and 1 seat manner (compared to 2 x 2 we're used to) and above the seats are compartments not for bags but for people. Jill and I had a double compartment, it's not quite long enough for me to completely stretch out (so less than 6' in length and just wide enough for two of us). This would have been fine except that there is no luggage storage so its the two of us, and all of luggage, in a coffin - doublecoffin - compartment. Some Tylenol PM did the job and we slept for a majority of the way to Jodhpur - the stopover point on the way to Jaisalmer.

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Photos

Also Elephants
This guy caused a big back-up as you can tell there wasn't much room for cars or trucks to pass. This was very amusing for me.

Us
In case you forgot what we look like...

Camel
There are many more of these camels pics in the next installment.

Cow resting head on dog
This was very strange and amusing, as well.

Cow resting head on dog
Profile

Jill with Kids
Cute and friendly kids...they love have their pictures taken to then see their faces on the digital. It's fun.

Comments

[UM]

Lets hear it for the street cleaners....
So I am looking at these pictures of elephants, donkeys, cows, and dogs and I am thinking..what a dung problem. They say it was the great scourge of pre-automobile NYC and I am thinking how do they clean it up and if they don't what's up when you cross the streets..so many questions so little time. Oh by the way..it all sounds amazing and the pictures are even better; but best of all is that you are really doing it all and then sharing it..very groovy and octapussy too! UM