Jaipur days

I'm on the last leg of the 14 day covid19 institutional quarantine period, post a trans-pacific travel ✈️. The body is locked up in a 17"x12" room, however the mind is free to roam. And roam it does, and brings to mind the last enjoyable travel I did on my own to Jaipur aka the Pink City, last November. So much has happened post that, that reflections on this visit took a backseat. Now triggered, without doubt, by my recent reading of Alka Joshi's book - "The Henna Artist". 📖

If you've been reading my blogs, you may recollect that I had written a piece in 2017 on the reactions of people 👀 when my other half did a solo holiday trip. And if you've not, you could read it if you wish - Separateness in togetherness. Well, in Nov 2019, I had a work related visit to the city of Jaipur in Rajasthan. Jaipur was always on my 'must visit' list of places, so I worked things around such that I'd get a day before and after my work schedule, to see Jaipur - solo. Yeah, finally! 😁. 

Well, as is usual, I did my research of places to visit, things to buy et al. I was all set to land in Jaipur (a city established in 1727) a day early, so that I could take in the sights of the city. Fortunately or unfortunately, my flight was a good 5 hours delayed, throwing to the wind my scheduled sight seeing plans for the day. Well, I adapted. 

Unexpected sights 

I was fortunate that I got chatting with the driver of the very first Uber I booked for a late evening visit to my first planned port of call, the Hawa Mahal (loosely translated as the wind palace - owing to the windows where women folk of the palace would stand and look down at the going ons below). I must say that the sight of the Hawa Mahal by night (my first view, owing to the delayed flight), 

trumps that by day. Don't you agree? 

You see that pink colour? Well, just imagine that reflected in most buildings dotted across the city... giving the city it's moniker of 'the pink city' . 

Coming back to my story, the Uber driver was a mine of information, and he suggested sights which I had not planned for. Moral of the story - check with the locals as they may have better ideas than the visitor. What did he suggest? A late evening light and sound show at the Amber palace at the outskirts of Jaipur, which was simple amazing.

A view of the Jal Mahal (water palace - by the way, I read that 4 floors are under water) by night was also thrown in

As also a daytime view on a later day... I'm sure your agree that there sure is charm in the beauty of the night 🌃

Remember, this was a working trip... So once the work day was done, I explored the handicrafts of the region. From the traditional bangles made of lac (a gummy substance obtained from an insect - know more about it here https://www.worldartcommunity.com/blog/2018/11/love-for-lac/) ;

Gorgeous Kundan jewellery;

To hand crafted joothis (can't figure out if it's a case of the joothis making the feet look beautiful or vice versa 😂, comfortable too);

And the unique Blue pottery of Jaipur (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Pottery_of_Jaipur). 

I bought it all. What I did not buy were the more common Jaipur hand block printed sheets etc., which were not the flavour of the month for me. 

By the way, did I tell you that I'd packed more space, less luggage for my onward trip? 🛅😂

Uber sights by day

Come the weekend, and the real sightseeing begins. The same Uber driver, with whom I'd struck a deal for a days trip, reached right on time and we attempted to pack in as much as we could in 6 hours (I was scheduled to fly out the same evening). 

First, we went back to the scene of the light and sound show - Amber palace. Eschewing an elephant ride up to the palace (been there, done that), 

I was left astounded at the architecture of times begone - with walls and ceilings hand painted in gold and natural colours;

The natural ventilation for the summers (indoor waterways) 

Adapted as well for the winters (tiny mirrors which reflect candles lit at night to bring warmth). 

A visit to Jaigad fort, brings alive the water harvesting techniques within the ramparts of the fort.

Then the visit I had been waiting for... The city palace.

The blue room redefines the royal blue colour of my imagination.... 

The candle light reflections on the walls of the Sheesh Mahal (mirror hall). As you can see, this view is just with 2 candles. Now imagine this room with a 1000 candles💯)... 

The inlay of meenakari (a process of enamelling) workmanship on the walls of the Gold hall... 

The guides sure know the best spots and angles for pictures, pandering to the inner dormant royalty in us... 

Wouldn't you agree that the tour of the palace rooms is worth every penny of the 3K I paid? Unfortunately many visitors don't. I'm glad I did. 

Not to forget that the courtyard of the palace is house to this large silver urn (Gangajali) which finds a mention in the book "The Henna Artist". It's supposed to be the largest silver object in the world and can carry upto 900 gallons of pure water from the Ganges for the king's bath on the voyage to Britain. 🛀💦 Really? I'd opt for this 🚿 everytime 😂

After the city palace, I just had enough time for a quick tour of the Albert hall museum. It pales in comparison. Nevertheless, it's replete with artifacts from across the world, including an Egyptian mummy. 

A quick pick up of my luggage and it's back to the airport for the flight home. 🔙 Replete with the sights and sounds of a historical city, I'd only heard of. 

A feeling of accomplishment that it was a solo trip gone well 😎...Communion with the soul, a being of oneness with the self. 

Indeed there is separateness in togetherness too (refer my blog Separateness in togetherness for the reference). I'd surely recommend it to all women (and men, in case you haven't had a chance to have a solo vacation... after marriage, that is 😊)... At least once in a lifetime...I'd suggest you put it on your 'to do' list, post this covid period. As the ad says... "You are worth it" ☺️