Jodhpur-Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India: 12June07

The Majestic Fort

We went to the well maintained and well explained Majestic Fort or Meherangarh. I always prefer to explore a place at my own pace by walk. The audio tour allowed us to wander around the fort at our leisure and taking a fix of information when we feel like to.

The disaster (there is at least one for everyday) of the day was we spent 2 hours at the train station reservation office (after walked under the scorching sun for 30 minutes with our full backpack), trying to sort out our train tickets. The queue wasn't long, but the people always cut queue and bought another 4 or 5 more tickets for others who aren't in the queue. Most Indian don't have the habit to queue up.

When we finally done with the logistic, we was cramped into the hot and the usual ridiculously crowded "express" bus to Jaisalmer. Indian can easily drives you crazy with their way of doing things. Most of the time, traveling with a partner really make the whole situation to be different. One is more acceptable to the situation and more capable to treat things like jokes.

In time, i feel a bit sorry for Math. He has to handle the bargaining with rickshaw driver himself. i always tend to be a parasite when i have someone i can depend on. I don't bargain that much for almost everything as having a partner to travel with has already kept my cost down. However Math has a tighter budget than me. He probably can do it in a cheaper way without me, such as living in an Indian dorm and eat at the real dirt cheap Indian eatery. i won't mind to pay some extra to the Indian, well, i can treat it as help boosting the country's economy. I won't mind to pay the price different of what Math wanted to pay and what we were quoted too. But i know, this suggestion would never work as it probably will hurt a man's pride. So i have never suggested this to him before (i hope he never read my blog to learn about this too). :)



This numerous tragic tiny hand prints are near to the Lohapol, the Iron Gate. They are the sati marks of Maharaja Man Singh's widows, who threw themselves upon his funeral pyre.
It is always not easy to be an Indian woman in India, even for now.



The view from the 124m-high hill of Mahenrangarh.



One of the splendid rooms in the fort.



Near to the main entrance of Mahenrangarh, a child was dancing while the musician was playing the traditional musical instrument.

Udaipur-Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India: 11June07

The City for Krishna

Jophur is dry and hot. My nose started to bleed almost immediately upon arrival.
The bus arrived in the late afternoon, so we didn't have much time to explore. We went to the market and shopped for fruits and 'looked' at different kind of spices.
The market or bazaar is nice. They sell fruits, vege, garments and spice. They are donkeys on the road.
We have get used to drink tea by the small stall at the road side. It even doesn't bother me as much now even if a bull shit is right in front of the stall.
i like this blue city. This is a place where people really lead a life and the shops or bazaars aren't just there to cater tourists. They are there to serve the needs of local people and may at the same time for tourists.
i think if one could find at least one partner, then coming to India during this hot summer is not that bad after all. May be provided both could stand the heat. It is hot, but you see more local than tourists and you almost get cheaper for everything. At least, in India, they don't have tourists menu like in Vietnam. You pay the same as local if you eat in restaurant.



Scene on the way from Udaipur to Jophur.



Jodhpur is at its bluest in the old city. Traditionally, blue signified the home of a Brahmin, but non-Brahmins have got in on the act too.



Clock Tower and Market, the old city's commercial heart.