Jaipur, Rajasthan, India - February 9, 2012

A week in Jaipur was not nearly enough.  There were two friends there,
I did not even get to see.  Sadly, as I am over the halfway mark of my
India stay so, as much as I would like to do so, I don't think I'll get
to return to Jaipur this visit.


In Gujarat, India, Uttarayan or Makar Sankrati is a festival that heralds
the end of winter, with the  move of the sun to the northern hemisphere.
Additionally, in Amedabad, on January 14 every year, kite flying day is
held.  It is no small event as there have been over 40 countries
participating in this festival.  The rest of India, also, happily
joins in the fun and Jaipur, clearly, was no exception.  Everywhere
one looked, kites had met their demise in trees, overhangs, wires,
and the like!  I am sure the flyers must have been extremely
disappointed when their creations ceased to soar in the winds.

Jaipur apartment building

Garlic and ginger for sale

Small roadside stores

Mosque

Beautiful arches

Old town buildings

Entering old town, Jaipur

Old town street

Rubble here and there about town

There are shrines and temples throughout Jaipur

Elephants walking in traffic

My first night in Jaipur, I asked my wonderful taxi driver, Lala, where I

might go for typical Rajasthani food.  He suggested a restaurant called 

Chokhi Dhani, which had also been recommended to me by my seat

mate on my Air India flight to Jaipur.  It was an interesting experience,

offering a view of life in a Rajasthani village as well as food.  I 

arrived at 6PM and was able to see some of the entertainment and

performances before it really got too dark to enjoy them.  The

resort is not really geared to those with mobility handicaps which 

made it a bit hard for me.  I use a walker and the sandy areas were

almost impassable.  Some of the options are also not easy for 

those with mobility problems.  After dark, I had difficulty navigating

through sand and rocky ground.  I felt a sense of relief when I was

finally taken to the dining hall for my dinner - a large Rajashathani

thali.  I enjoyed the food but it is a long evening out!

These young ladies greeted us at the entrance to Chokhi Dani

Before my trip to India, I lost about ten pounds &,

though I haven't weighed, I think I lost five more during my

four day illness with "motion" - all my pants are hanging on me!

Drummer playing as we entered

Entrance candles

Warm soup to welcome us

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Rajasthan is famous for its colorful turbans...it is not

unusual to see men wearing them in hot pink,

purple, turquoise, etc.

My first days in Jaipur were just wonderful.  I was especially fortunate to have

taxi driver, Lala, drive me from the airport the day I arrived and he took me

so many wonderful places throughout my visit to Jaipur.  No wonder I fell in

love with this "Pink City" of India.