It was cold and rainy when I arrived in Delhi last night so I slipped out for something to eat (Veg. Biryani, mixed veg raiti, bombay potatoes) and went to bed. Then I realised India is three and a half hours ahead of Jordan so I tossed and turned for quite a while listening to the thunderstorms and the street noises.
Eventually I got up at 6.30am and gave up. I had a quick walk round the streets while it was still dark and went for breakfast (masala dhosa) then hung around waiting for the rental car to turn up.
Eventually it did and I battled my way out of Delhi and headed south. Hoping the weather would improve (it did).
After a few hours and a spot of lunch (plain rice, nondescript veg curry, raw onion/tomato/cucumber and a rice pudding type thing) and stopping off at a couple of things I've arrived in Jaipur. I've had a nice dinner (veg thali) and stretched my legs a bit out in the streets (dark again though).
Internet is limited to a couple of hours for free so I'm going to add a few more bits after I've answered some mails.
One thing to note, the object of this 'report' is not to show you some nice photos of the Taj Mahal and normal tourist places as it's all been done to death elsewhere and with far better photos than I can do. So, this is an impression of what tourists don't see (or rather, maybe they do but it's not 'interesting' to them). This is more about the bits in between the places where the tourist coaches stop.
Bear with me and I'll post when I can. Otherwise I'll round it off when I get back.
By the way, I forgot to say about the title of the thread.
For those who don't know the reference "What is your name" it's what all the kids ask you as you walk round. It's about all the English they often know. I've experienced it in a number of countries but it's a constant background noise here, especially out in the sticks.
First a few shots of what it was like near my hotel and then on the run out of Delhi to the south –
Eventually I got up at 6.30am and gave up. I had a quick walk round the streets while it was still dark and went for breakfast (masala dhosa) then hung around waiting for the rental car to turn up.
Eventually it did and I battled my way out of Delhi and headed south. Hoping the weather would improve (it did).
After a few hours and a spot of lunch (plain rice, nondescript veg curry, raw onion/tomato/cucumber and a rice pudding type thing) and stopping off at a couple of things I've arrived in Jaipur. I've had a nice dinner (veg thali) and stretched my legs a bit out in the streets (dark again though).
Internet is limited to a couple of hours for free so I'm going to add a few more bits after I've answered some mails.
One thing to note, the object of this 'report' is not to show you some nice photos of the Taj Mahal and normal tourist places as it's all been done to death elsewhere and with far better photos than I can do. So, this is an impression of what tourists don't see (or rather, maybe they do but it's not 'interesting' to them). This is more about the bits in between the places where the tourist coaches stop.
Bear with me and I'll post when I can. Otherwise I'll round it off when I get back.
By the way, I forgot to say about the title of the thread.
For those who don't know the reference "What is your name" it's what all the kids ask you as you walk round. It's about all the English they often know. I've experienced it in a number of countries but it's a constant background noise here, especially out in the sticks.
First a few shots of what it was like near my hotel and then on the run out of Delhi to the south –
A couple of shots on the road –
Then, as I was passing through a village I saw to my left an old building. Methinks I have seen this type of thing before. Perhaps it is another one –
Aha! Yes it is. It’s a step well – a place where water is collected and used by the villagers. However, this one is obviously abandoned now –
A bit of an idea how off the beaten path this is –
And then I came to a place I was heading for. It is a bit on the tourist trail but nevertheless it’s worth a visit as it’s relatively unknown.
Here is the description of what it is – a step well somewhat grander than the one I just mentioned –
And here is the inside. If you stand and stare at the steps for too long it makes you dizzy, it does really. Imagine the poor women who had to go up and down them a couple or more times every day (click on any of the photos to make larger) -
I work my way out of the village and head into Jaipur.
See if you can spot the peacock -
Dinner -