Feb 19th Bikaner to Jaipur
Bikaner was interesting to say the least. It is an Islamic area primarily so women are covered from head to toe other than their faces, although many also cover their faces. So, drop a bus load of super pale tourists off in a street market full of men that don't see much of women, never mind pale women wearing t-shirts and capris and a few wearing skirts. We attracted so much attention that the men we were with all kept us surrounded and placed themselves between us and men that were getting a little too close. It is so funny here as people stare and don't think it's rude. We walked up and down the street and weren't finding anything for us since it is not a large tourist place, so everything is catered to the locals. Our tour guide took us to another government supported co-op for patchwork and scarves and the prices were half what they were at the last co-op we went to in Jodhpur so we all dropped a bunch of cash (well actually plastic money LOL). It was so nice, they had us all sit around the shop and they showed us bedding and scarves. They explained how to tell if fabric is synthetic or real wool, silk, etc. so it was very nice. They also made us masala chai drinks which were very good and then after shopping they gave us free scarves, etc. depending on how much we spent. Before we left they broke out a bottle of rum and coke for us which was fun. We figured they would party since we spent close to 150,000 rupees between all of us.
After shopping we headed to the hotel for dinner. It was a good meal but very costly (for India). Our hotel was a heritage hotel so it was original walls, doors, ceilings, etc. with a few modern conveniences. It wasn't fabulous, but it was quaint and very original and met our needs with clean washrooms and beds so we were happy.
This morning we are heading to Jaipur where they have a crafts bazaar and then to the hotel to drop some laundry. A few of us need to buy duffle bags to bring stuff home in as we are running out of room in our luggage. Tomorrow we see a fort and palace and we go for our elephant rides at elephantastic (a elephant sanctuary where they are treated very well and protected). Elephants are very hard to manage as they eat alot and if they aren't being fed they cause trouble or get killed, so a family started this sanctuary to preserve and enjoy the elephants.
We had a long bus ride again today to Jaipur. We stopped at a roadside shop/restaurant and payed high prices for lunch and clean washrooms. Food wasn't so good, but whatever, at this point food is nourishment. When we arrived in Jaipur we were told it has 3 million people and is the third largest city in India and that between Agra, Jaipur and Dehli these cities make up the golden triangle as they also the main stops for most tourists. Jaipur is very commercialized and have hospitals and universities and many professionals. The markets are vast and well organized on larger streets with all the same size stalls. It is also cleaner than other cities. We went to city palace where there is still a royal family living there, but they don't rule anymore, they are just super wealthy. They have converted many properties into hotels and museums to create income. After the palace we went to the place where they do block printing on fabrics and also make carpets. This was very interesting to learn about, however the sales pitches that follow are also part of the package. I find he prices fluctuate greatly from one place to another depending on how touristy they are, so this being a larger city, the prices were high for me.
We checked into our hotel around 8:00 pm and Eva and I laughed as we had no toilet paper in our room! We also waited for our bags to arrive and when we decided to go looking for them we found them on a cart by the elevators LOL so I guess they weren't delivering them to our room as they have been in the past. Oh well!
We have a busy day tomorrow starting at 8 am and in the evening we will be enjoying the elephants! Super excited about it, but I'm sure there will be stories to tell!
Miranda
Bikaner was interesting to say the least. It is an Islamic area primarily so women are covered from head to toe other than their faces, although many also cover their faces. So, drop a bus load of super pale tourists off in a street market full of men that don't see much of women, never mind pale women wearing t-shirts and capris and a few wearing skirts. We attracted so much attention that the men we were with all kept us surrounded and placed themselves between us and men that were getting a little too close. It is so funny here as people stare and don't think it's rude. We walked up and down the street and weren't finding anything for us since it is not a large tourist place, so everything is catered to the locals. Our tour guide took us to another government supported co-op for patchwork and scarves and the prices were half what they were at the last co-op we went to in Jodhpur so we all dropped a bunch of cash (well actually plastic money LOL). It was so nice, they had us all sit around the shop and they showed us bedding and scarves. They explained how to tell if fabric is synthetic or real wool, silk, etc. so it was very nice. They also made us masala chai drinks which were very good and then after shopping they gave us free scarves, etc. depending on how much we spent. Before we left they broke out a bottle of rum and coke for us which was fun. We figured they would party since we spent close to 150,000 rupees between all of us.
After shopping we headed to the hotel for dinner. It was a good meal but very costly (for India). Our hotel was a heritage hotel so it was original walls, doors, ceilings, etc. with a few modern conveniences. It wasn't fabulous, but it was quaint and very original and met our needs with clean washrooms and beds so we were happy.
This morning we are heading to Jaipur where they have a crafts bazaar and then to the hotel to drop some laundry. A few of us need to buy duffle bags to bring stuff home in as we are running out of room in our luggage. Tomorrow we see a fort and palace and we go for our elephant rides at elephantastic (a elephant sanctuary where they are treated very well and protected). Elephants are very hard to manage as they eat alot and if they aren't being fed they cause trouble or get killed, so a family started this sanctuary to preserve and enjoy the elephants.
We had a long bus ride again today to Jaipur. We stopped at a roadside shop/restaurant and payed high prices for lunch and clean washrooms. Food wasn't so good, but whatever, at this point food is nourishment. When we arrived in Jaipur we were told it has 3 million people and is the third largest city in India and that between Agra, Jaipur and Dehli these cities make up the golden triangle as they also the main stops for most tourists. Jaipur is very commercialized and have hospitals and universities and many professionals. The markets are vast and well organized on larger streets with all the same size stalls. It is also cleaner than other cities. We went to city palace where there is still a royal family living there, but they don't rule anymore, they are just super wealthy. They have converted many properties into hotels and museums to create income. After the palace we went to the place where they do block printing on fabrics and also make carpets. This was very interesting to learn about, however the sales pitches that follow are also part of the package. I find he prices fluctuate greatly from one place to another depending on how touristy they are, so this being a larger city, the prices were high for me.
We checked into our hotel around 8:00 pm and Eva and I laughed as we had no toilet paper in our room! We also waited for our bags to arrive and when we decided to go looking for them we found them on a cart by the elevators LOL so I guess they weren't delivering them to our room as they have been in the past. Oh well!
We have a busy day tomorrow starting at 8 am and in the evening we will be enjoying the elephants! Super excited about it, but I'm sure there will be stories to tell!
Miranda
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