caught after a stay in our hotel and cooling in the pool, we explore a rickshaw in the old town. The driver left us on the busy road outside the city walls and we spent 15 minutes trying to determine where we were on our map – I do not know why, because we never seem to be in a position, it interferes with reading – landed we are following the city wall until we are a gateway (which always found large sheets) and we set a crowd of people walking along the narrow alley ways. Jodhpur was about the same as many of the cities we visited before, small shops, before tangle of power lines, washing strung on every available surface, strong smell of urine everywhere at regular intervals and cows! In fact, seemed more cows then Jodpur Bikaner have wandering the streets. Jodhpur is known as the “Blue City” because many of the older houses are painted blue – they were originally painted this color for termite prevention. By chance we found our way to the main square in the middle was a bell tower. This place was full of stalls, to many of the
View from Fort Jodhpur
Tourists, but so many catering for the local population. The pressure of tugs here was pretty bad, most of them young boys, a hefty commission if to persuade them to visit a store – any business done! This kind of pressure can make these areas contributes wandering after a while we have protected in a cafe and had our first saffron lassi. Lassis yogurt drinks are all made of salt mixed with fruit flavor. We love them and those of saffron (yellow in color, of course) were no exception. It was so rich, it was a meal in a glass! Jodhpur is the immense fort, set high up on a ridge behind dominates the Old Town. It is really impressive and is the most important tourist attraction. We were pleased to meet you and if we do it the next day was somehow planned in the heat of the swimming pool at the hotel very much more attractive! We have during the day and stir a supermarket somewhere in the area. Western-style supermarkets are rare items here – use the local population, certainly not to buy vegetables from a
The huge fort which dominates the city skyline
most vegetables in them are old and faded! By late afternoon we drove back to explore the old town for a little more – this time from the main square and position in the streets below the fortress. Much more interesting and once away from the tourist areas, no pressure from shopkeepers. We observed groups of women sitting on the steps of their houses cigarettes and hand rolling Threading small pieces of charcoal on threads (why could not we find out!). A further group were sewing gardening gloves by hand. All for a few extra rupees to earn for themselves. They were very friendly and were happy, laughing and chatting. The next day we had booked a taxi tour of the surrounding area and although we went with a guide, recommended companies, we are not like the driver when he emerged. He was very arrogant and as we left Jodpur informed us that he does not like to drive tourists! On the outskirts of the city we passed large groups of people is at an important crossroads. The women were dressed in amazing outfits with white bracelets from their wrists to the shoulders.
Turbans are not amazing?
The driver said they were very poor, waiting for casual day of work – all the labor work as a caste, not only working jobs. An entrepreneur would pick his group of workers, mainly for road construction, they would then be transported to work on the ground in the back of the truck. On the way to the first village we began to realize peacocks everywhere – they are very common, but this seems very exotic. They are considered royal birds and the local people they love. We stopped, and a dance – wiggling his rear end and Fanning his beautiful feathers in courtship saw – right in the middle of the street in front of our car. There were also many small deer in the fields. The village we visited was a Bishnoi village. These people are legally allowed to take opium in the form of opium tea, and we watched as a man who gave us some that we drank. It tasted like muddy water, and probably was! He showed us his lump of opium, and though it sure seemed to be the real thing – although I only have seen in
Traditional bracelets for sale in market
Photos. The opium was first proposed and then in water, which was stretched by funnel cloth a few times – the opium tea pots are made of wood with silver lace. Opium is further south of Jodhpur in Rajasthan has grown up and controlled by the government. The Bishnoi people have special permission to buy a certain quantity of opium each year. They drink tea daily opium for medical purposes. The ladies wore the bra-style, with a blouse that overshirt cut away around the chest area is to show the bra beneath this, plus a long skirt and veil worn. They all have big noses and rings. We also visited a pottery village and had lunch in another very pretty small group of houses, where they were weaving Durries. The colors were beautiful – I was tempted, but had no where to put it, so it is pointless to purchase one and send him home. The village huts were built of mud that was created painted light blue with patterns all over them. Jerry was interested to see how far the swastika symbol is here – it is a religious symbol, which here
Buying Bangles!
represents the sun and energy and is associated with luck and happiness. Another village we visited is known for its weaving pit, where the weaver sits in a hole in the ground and sets a large loom to weave fabrAic. In this village they dressed us in traditional costume and we were totally ridiculous! It was a fun day, however, was only slightly spoiled by the attitude of our drivers. He probably not a tip at the end of the day. Tipping is expected here and we are happy to tip if the service and setting it deserves. Begging is a nuisance but – especially of children who follow you around, “feather a Sir, Sir rupee. The other is totally annoying and it makes us crazy,” what country are you from? “If you say, then Australia, ‘ get Sydney, Melbourne, Ricky Ponting, Aussie, Aussie, Aussie – come visit my store? – I’ll show you many things. look is free. “It drives us crazy and they can be so persistent, that a few times we have our lost cool. This usually happens with the teenage boys who walk backwards in front of you and then drag
Jodphur Blues.
on me – they do not do it to Jerry. I will admit that after our initial 11 weeks after the street children in India will now feed most of the time now, I brush off. Sounds cold, but there are just so many of them. The next day we visited Fort Meherangarh or Majestic Fort, which is spread out on a ridge above the town. The walls are 36 meters high and 21 meters thick and the building of it started in 1459th It is a fabulous view over the city and the surrounding plains from the top. As the oldest part of town has always been traditionally painted blue, and it is far below the base of the ridge on which sits the fortress you can really see why it is blue as the “city” is known. From our perspective, we looked up on a sea of blue houses. You have the fortress by a massive series of seven gates, all filled with strong spines, in order to resist enemies of elephants. The last goal has hand prints (37) of six women and 57 concubines more favored by a maharajah, who died in 1724. The
Ladies charcoal-Threading
prints were as enroute through the gate for the last time was throw himself on the pyre of the Maharajah. What was amazing in all these palaces of the intricately carved stone work, especially the windows around the women’s quarters. Once again it was beautiful stained glass windows, the Belgian Christmas balls hanging from the gilded and painted ceiling and mirrored walls. She lived in very style! The museum was full arsenal of weapons evil eye, some of the two blades that open like a pair of scissors when the body was. Charming! We loved the fort – you can not help but have fun at the huge rooms, fine detailing and in this case, the bird’s eye view of the surroundings. After carving, we visited the cremation grounds of the ruling, which was established under the castle – another marvel of white marble. The evening after the other in the beautiful swimming pool in the hotel and a large pizza from the restaurant next door, we explored the area around the hotel. It was full of expensive houses, as we were staying in an office area of Jodhpur. The next day we found it difficult to leave
Making lac bangles
Grounds – it was hot – and swimming is not so! to get the manager for a man and my hair cut ordered – they put a chair and mirror in the garden – all for $ 5 AUD. All hairdressers are men here and the salon look a little run down (and dirty) to go for a woman. Local women have long hair and I guess, get it trimmed at home. Another man came and fixed the laptop – nothing major, but another s visit to the site for $ 6! I love India, there is always someone to find the someone to do all those little jobs for you – of course for a fee, but not an unreasonable one wants. Our last evening was spent in Jodpur wanders around, and always completely lost in the bazaars around the old town. It was great fun checking all bags of spices to sell the bracelets handmade shoes and paint shops, and dozens of booths red cord strung with beads. They were very busy stalls and we found out a few days later, that girl to buy the cords to their brothers on 5 August specify how a
This tastes terrible! They are hollow and are filled with raw onions, etc plus a foul tasting liquid. they are used almost like a cup.
Show of love and respect. The men’s gifts, usually in cash, exchange. There is one big family here. I had fallen in love with the bangle stores and could watch the men make the lacquer bangles for an indefinite period. They are like the lolly shops we have in Australia unless they roll colorful bracelets and then decorate them by hand with beads and sparkles. They are very nice shops and some of the Bangles, which are decorated with European crystals are very expensive. All Indian women, regardless of age or caste, wearing Bangles – an equal number on each arm. In the market I, watched as the bangle seller The Bangles forced on a woman’s ankles as she picked the ones she wanted. Once she can only be cut off. I bought and had them moved my arm too. You are not indestructible, but since I only had me over an hour before they were scratched when a cow decided to butt me! I was with my feet off the ground rescued by a passing gentleman – my new bracelet was drawn on the wall when the cow lifted me. We both have been
Bisnoi Dame
very careful with the cows and bulls here – they seem to be quite aggressive during the day. We enjoyed Jodpur admit, however, it took a day or so to get it warm. our route of travel of Destiny Travel and Tours tailored. The hotel (Inn Season recommend – very much) we stayed in was fabulous – great staff who were very professional (rather unusual here) and the best pool and garden. It was not in the old town, but when we stayed five nights we felt there was no need to be in the center of everything. And it only costs a dollar for a tempo (autorickhaw) in the old town. We left once again with the taxi to drive to Udaipur. We were on a couple of hours on the road to the Jain temple in Ranakpur planning.