Travels: Jaipur

I stopped a while, with so many other tourists who also stopped a while, in Jaipur because they were going to have an Elephant Festival and I thought it would be fun to see. It was to be on Tuesday 26 March.

In the paper of the 25th it reported that some events had been cancelled due to animal rights concerns but the event would go on. These events were Elephant tug-of-war and Elephant polo. Better, I thought. I had myself already considered if I was willing to go the the festival due to treatment of the animals, but had decided to go along and see. I read somewhere, and I believe it is probably true, that Indian elephants would be long extinct in India if they hadn't made use of them as part of temple worship and used them for practical labour. So I was able to give some merit to this displaying of these beautiful creatures.

On the morning of the festival it was advised that all Elephant participation in the Elephant festival (a parade of decorated Elephants was left) was cancelled. But tourists could still see folkloric dance. (Yeah).

A new friend from the hostel and I went. It wasn't so much fun, so we left after just an hour.

The next day was the Holi festival. This day celebrates spring and people run around the streets throwing coloured powder all over each other. I went out with 4 other people and came back multicoloured. It was fun, but the day comes with big warnings to be wary of attacks since no-one is recognisable after a while. As the morning got later we noticed it certainly didn't feel as safe on the street and we returned to our hotels.

My hotel was having a party on the roof. The day is a Hindu celebration and my hotel was run by Sikhs that had no qualms about throwing a westernised party during this important Hindu day. It was fun! I danced like I hadn't been able to in 3 months!

The other important Jaipur must-see is Amber Fort. It certainly is impressive and I'm glad I visited.

Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, it has plenty of sights and nice people.

Travels: Mt Abu

I traveled to Mt Abu, Rajasthan's highest peak, with a Polish woman I had met in Udaipur. In the bus we met a German woman and we all teamed up. Ironically I left Mt Abu with the German, as the Polish girl wanted more time there.

The German and I went on a guided hike. I was happy to be hiking (finally), but the guide (a young man named Harsh) paid more attention to his phone screen than to us and for that I certainly let him know my disappointment. There was potential to see bears, but I felt our guide didn't even try.

Mt Abu is a honeymoon spot for Indians. It has a lake, sunset viewing, and was nice due to the lack of hassle.

It also is home to a major international religious movement which my Lonely Planet guide book made sound interesting, but we went to the ashram and its museum and I found it a bit strange. Later a local described it as being a cult. Another local said they hypnotize people.

Oh, and Mt Abu has a very nice coffee shop (like a western style shop), with Wifi, and nice owners... I just can't remember the name.

Breast clenching

I clench my breasts firmly with one arm and hand as the other hand holds tightly to the rough riding rickshaw. Maybe, if only for the sake of this 10 minutes this would have been a good day to have worn my sports bra.

I think maybe it is an inappropriate action (holding my breasts), but what does it matter? I am leaving town and nobody here will see me again.

I arrive at the bus station. My ticket, for seat no.8 is promptly taken one direction while I am directed to go to the back of my bus to stow my backpack. When my ticket is returned to me the 8 has been crossed out and replaced with 17 and I am instructed that is my seat. I rebuke this. I requested a front seat: I like them better and I get motion sick in the back.

Nobody seams to speak English other than to tell me seat 17, and to request 10 rupees for the impatient man who wrestled my luggage from me. I tell them i'll be sick in the back of the bus. They smile. I mime vomiting to every bodies amusement, but they are still smiling and waggling their heads. I give the 10 rupees (although I don't want too, but fear my pack will be removed if I don't and its less than 20 cents. The Indians stowing luggage are not asked to pay anything), and get on the bus. I sit in seat 8.

Eventually a man comes and tells me it is his seat. I say it was mine, but it was changed and I will not sit up the back, as I will be sick. (I can't actually guarantee this, but I'd prefer not to test the theory).

A young Indian man who speaks English comes to my rescue. Where do you want to sit he asks. "Any place I won't be sick". He offers I can sit beside him, and goes to fix things with the company. I am very grateful.

This is just one of the reasons why traveling in India is so horrible and exhausting. I mean, there are wonderful things to see, but independently this is a tough country.

Travels: Udaipur

Udaipur! Wow, I had an entire 6 nights there but only because it was so easy to do so that I thought I should hang out for Lord Shivas (of Hindu faith) Birthday party on 10 March.

As it turned out, the party wasn't much chop, I didn't get to dance, and I was back in my room at 10.30.

I stayed in 3 different places in Udaipur and finally found the most comfy bed in India (well, of those in budget hotels I've been checking)... And with a terrace overlooking the lake too!

The main attraction, the city palace, wasn't nice for me: I don't like tunnels, corridors or crowds. So, being in a small corridor with noisy slow moving Indians just gave me feelings of anxiety. I'm told that it is a nice place... But I couldn't get the niceness due to my inner 'get me out!' feelings.

Best Accom: Naylee Haveli at Sunset View restaurant. They seem to have just 2 nice rooms, but no other clients!