OMG what an adventure! Slept last night in Manvar in most charming tent in desert with full bath, then bus to Jodhpur, visit to incredible, huge Maharaja palace perched on a high hill, then SHOPPING, ending with tuk-tuk ride to center of town/market, spice market + incense and just returned to hotel by horse drawn carriage. Now I know it sounds like not a big deal, but when you see the congestion on the roads of every manner of transportation + cows walking and every car, tuk-tuk, bus, truck and motor bike are honking their horn and spewing gas fumes, it is really a big deal. "Bollywood Barbara"
Still haven't had time to post the pictures. Hope to very soon.
Jodhpur is the third largest city in Rajasthan. The huge palace is actually a fort, Mehrangarh Fort and towers over the city, which is often called the blue city because of the quantity of houses painted blue ( an indication of Brahmin status and a repellent to mosquitos). Construction of the fort was started in 1495 AD and it is considered one of the most magnificent of India's forts. It's massive and impressive and remains in the Jodhpur royal family's possession.
There are extensive galleries and exhibits in the palace, such as palanquins, paintings, textiles, minatures and armory, just to name a few.
The shopping that I mentioned in the first paragraph included trying on saris, but I'm not sure if anyone actually bought any. The men in the group got into the act by creating "turbans". I OD'd on bedcovers and scarves (REAL pashminas. I think that fun was had by all - the buyers and the sellers.
It was such a full day! We went into the market/souk, specifically to go to a spice shop, where a charming young woman explained most of the Indian spices to us, while drinking tea. Of course we bought there also! After the spices, we went to another stall specializing in incense and perfumes.
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