We left Jodhpur by Indian Railways, with a small stowaway in the compartment, a mouse. This being India, he could have been a reincarnation of Reginald Perrin, doomed to commute to Jaipur in this form for a lifetime. This being India, the inspector went through all the compartments with an aerosol spray, presumably to gas out the rail rodent, but in doing so, turned the train into a sort of Bhopal on wheels.
Six hours of holding our breath later we reached our destination and refreshed by some Eau de Jaipur, took a rickshaw to explore The Pink City. Jodhpur was hectic and polluted but Jaipur is toxic. A rickshaw ride is like a dangerous version of Space Mountain as you hurtle towards oncoming traffic, swerve to avoid potholes and stop within a micron of the vehicles in front. Any signs of discomfort are greeted with cackles of laughter by your driver who looks back to gauge your reaction.
We visited Galwar Bagh, the Monkey Temple in the hills just outside the city. Locals come and feed the Rhesus Macaque monkeys on their way to the holy shrine of the Sun God. The view of Jaipur is spectacular.
We decided to eat in the Rough Guide’s recommendation, The Peacock Roof-garden restaurant but on discovering a youthful, flowers in their hair and baggy hilltribe pants type of clientele, (think of the worst type of youth-hotel atmosphere 30 years ago) we made our excuses and left.
We intended visiting the City Palace but the death of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Bhawani Singh, meant that many official buildings are closed today.
You take me back to India! It's an experience that has lived with and in me since I returned. I learned so many valuable lessons... still hope to return one day. Great photos!
ReplyDelete