Around Jaipur

Today was wonderful, I finally slept normally and feel well rested. The rain cooled the air and cleared the smog a little bit (Jaipur has over 4 million residents). My rickshaw driver, Mahammad, picked me up at 8:30 as planned and I told him that I wanted to go to the Bapu Bizarre to shop. I did a pretty good job packing appropriate clothes (must be very conservative) but there are better clothing options here to keep as cool as possible (and look cool) for a minimal cost.

The Rickshaw

The bizarre was not open until 10am so Mahammad suggested that we go to his friends factory that produces and exports Jaipur's famous block print textiles, silks, and antique tapestries. We arrived there and I got a tour of the factory called the Soul of India. It is run by a man named Sonu from Delhi who started the company to aid in the prosperity of Indian women by providing them work opportunities. Sonu showed me some of the many things the women make, and I bought a beautiful silk block print duvet cover and a mirrored tapestry. I also got some new clothes that are beautiful and functional. They shipped a few the other things home for me and I threw in some of my old clothes that I won't be needing. It was great, I went shopping and my bag got lighter!

Sonu, his daughter, Mahammad, and me

Afterwards we stayed and chatted at the factory with Mahammad, Sonu, the workers and Sonu's daughter. We drank chai and played the board game Snakes and Latters. It was so fun! I felt like part of the family rather than a tourist. In addition Sonu told me about a friend of his from England that regularly brings students to learn about block printing from the local women. I told him of my plan to organize a service learning trip- if only I could include Jaipur in the itinerary!

Later that afternoon, Mahammad and I continued to drive around Jaipur. I didn't feel like I was on a tourist path once, it was great! He showed me some palace ruins (I was the only person there) and then we drove up to the top of a ridge that overlooks Jaipur. There is an old fort up there that is inhabited by monkeys and peacocks. There were a few Indian families up there to watch the sunset, but that was it. On the way down, Mahammad let me drive the rickshaw, operated similarly to a motorcycle. Apparently, I didn't use the horn enough. Everyone smiled and laughed at the sight of me driving, it was hilarious!

The palace ruins

Elephant in the midst of usual traffic

The camels are used to hall carts and are lavishly decorated

At the Tiger Fort overlooking Jaipur and the Lake Palace

I definitely had a wonderful day in Jaipur. Tomorrow I move on to Ajmer (a two hour train ride) and then take a short bus to Pushkar, an Indian pilgrimage site in the desert. I feel I've seen so much already, I can't believe my trip has only begun!