Day 2 - Jaipur
Today started at 5 am because our air conditioner kicked out. After a protein shake and a good complaint session we started the day with a group breakfast. I had toast and a banana. The traditional Indian breakfast was deep fried and not my cup of tea.
We then got on a bus for Jaipur. Thankfully we have a private air conditioned bus for our tour.
Random bus facts about Delhi:
- It has been inhabited since at least 7C BC.
- It is the capital of India since 1911. Prior to that it was Calcutta. The British switched the capital for management reasons.
- Delhi is known as the city of cities. Delhi in Indian means cluster of seven cities. The seven cities represent different empires and kingdoms that ruled India.
- August 15, 1947 India gained independence.
- It is a democratic country. Not so sure how that functions.
- Delhi used to be spelled Dilli, which in Hindu means loose - no empire was able to maintain foundation or control for long. Another possible meaning is gateway as it was the gateway for the silk and trade routes.
Our drive from Delhi to Jaipur was long - just about 5 hours. The entire scenery is like Australian outback without the red dirt and a freak load more ghost towns. It's like it's profitable to build and leave entire areas unfinished or populated. It's a vast sea of tan dirt with the odd tree or bush. The most exciting thing is the odd camel. It's super exciting to see camel drawn carriages. There were tons of shanty towns and burning garbage. People tended to have shops the size of storage units the entire way here.
Random facts about Jaipur:
- Jaipur was painted pink for Prince Edward's visit. It is a combination of terracotta on limestone. Terracotta is a welcoming or good luck colour here. The entire town is now pink.
- It is the most populated city in this state (Rajasthan). This state in Hindu means warrior. As such, Jaipur is surrounded by a fortification wall.
- Jaipur's only jail is attached to a university.
I've had butter chicken twice today. Everything else looks revolting or I can't eat it. I'm surviving on minimal food and protein shakes.
After an afternoon nap the group went on a stroll on the old part of Jaipur. It's basically rows and rows of market. There spices and grains and all sorts of clothes. The smell of this town if revolting. It's worse than Delhi. It's a combination of burning garbage and pee now. The only reprieve was near the flower seller's and the heavy spice seller's booths. Also every time the toilet flushes in our room there's a beautiful oder wafting through the the room.
It's interesting to see cows being parked like cars and cows just roaming the streets. People treated the cows almost like pets. I know cows are holy.
Dinner was at some tacky tourist place where there was traditional dancing. Interesting but man I'm exhausted and tired of Indian food. I forgot how much I hate spicy food.
AFN
Today started at 5 am because our air conditioner kicked out. After a protein shake and a good complaint session we started the day with a group breakfast. I had toast and a banana. The traditional Indian breakfast was deep fried and not my cup of tea.
We then got on a bus for Jaipur. Thankfully we have a private air conditioned bus for our tour.
Random bus facts about Delhi:
- It has been inhabited since at least 7C BC.
- It is the capital of India since 1911. Prior to that it was Calcutta. The British switched the capital for management reasons.
- Delhi is known as the city of cities. Delhi in Indian means cluster of seven cities. The seven cities represent different empires and kingdoms that ruled India.
- August 15, 1947 India gained independence.
- It is a democratic country. Not so sure how that functions.
- Delhi used to be spelled Dilli, which in Hindu means loose - no empire was able to maintain foundation or control for long. Another possible meaning is gateway as it was the gateway for the silk and trade routes.
Our drive from Delhi to Jaipur was long - just about 5 hours. The entire scenery is like Australian outback without the red dirt and a freak load more ghost towns. It's like it's profitable to build and leave entire areas unfinished or populated. It's a vast sea of tan dirt with the odd tree or bush. The most exciting thing is the odd camel. It's super exciting to see camel drawn carriages. There were tons of shanty towns and burning garbage. People tended to have shops the size of storage units the entire way here.
Random facts about Jaipur:
- Jaipur was painted pink for Prince Edward's visit. It is a combination of terracotta on limestone. Terracotta is a welcoming or good luck colour here. The entire town is now pink.
- It is the most populated city in this state (Rajasthan). This state in Hindu means warrior. As such, Jaipur is surrounded by a fortification wall.
- Jaipur's only jail is attached to a university.
I've had butter chicken twice today. Everything else looks revolting or I can't eat it. I'm surviving on minimal food and protein shakes.
After an afternoon nap the group went on a stroll on the old part of Jaipur. It's basically rows and rows of market. There spices and grains and all sorts of clothes. The smell of this town if revolting. It's worse than Delhi. It's a combination of burning garbage and pee now. The only reprieve was near the flower seller's and the heavy spice seller's booths. Also every time the toilet flushes in our room there's a beautiful oder wafting through the the room.
It's interesting to see cows being parked like cars and cows just roaming the streets. People treated the cows almost like pets. I know cows are holy.
Dinner was at some tacky tourist place where there was traditional dancing. Interesting but man I'm exhausted and tired of Indian food. I forgot how much I hate spicy food.
AFN
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