Jaipur, Rajasthan
"Pink City", The land of the Rajas.
Over the city heritage forts and palaces stand tall. The streets are filled with amazing shopping, blankets, jewelry, rugs and crafts. The shopping is the same textiles you would see at Anthropologie, World Market, and Free People. It’s a place to splurge a little bit, see the beautiful palaces and practice your haggling
We stayed the first night at Pathik Niwas, a cozy stay. This little quaint place , is perfect if you want to meet people, and take some yoga or meditation classes. It was in a small neighborhood and bit away from the city which made it a quiet! I still slept with earplugs because of the howling dogs! The host teaches yoga classes morning and night, a variety of styles. They are free, and are open to the local community. I took one in the morning, it was nice and slow. He was a bit harsh talking about westerners doing yoga, but I tried not to take it personal. His wife prepared a authentic Indian breakfast every morning, with fresh fruit ( can’t get enough raw papaya!) He give you lots of recommendation of places to eat that are safe for foreigners, and has a water filtering system that was open for everyone to use.
Indian Driving
During the days we explored around the city in a Tuk Tuk. Words still can’t describe the rush of Indian traffic, and how chaotic it is.. the horns never stop honking. We have been pulled over twice, once for seat belts and for our tuk tuk careless driving! Johan and I have managed to learn how to cross the street like locals. You just go and don’t turn back, but know the drivers won’t stop for you! So walk fast!
Albert Museum
The beautiful palace is at start of the city. It was built with no purpose, and ended up being transformed into art museum. Chandeliers hung from the cieling, shining light on the white trim, blue walls, bohemian door ways, and the mosaic checkered tile. The architecture was like nothing I had ever seen. There was heritage jewelry,clothes, vases, home decor, and kitchen utensils..all of it was done by hand in the 1800s or earlier. My favorite was the stone gold God sculptures. Every God I had read about and many more. were present. The talent that India holds is exquisite, not just in the museums, but on the streets too.
Panna Meena Ka Kund
Endless amount of stepwells surrounds a pool of water. Supposedly, foreigners can't figure the farewell path out easily while locals can easily! If you go to india, it's certainly a place I wouldn't miss. It was a place of gathering in the summer to bathe and relax!
Hawa Mahal
Breezing through the Hawa Mahal.. "The palace of winds", which I am sure you guys have seen pictures, for its a huge facade! Right in Center Cityyyyy! This palace was built for royal woman to be seen, but not fully be seen. They needed a place to view the city, behind closed doors. They observed behind Purdah.. Meaning curtain in Hindu. The vibrant pink colors mean hospitality of the kings. The Rajas which means prince in Hindi, make up the states colors of hospitality. The palace is in the shape of Lord Krishna crown...I absorbed every aspect of the floral motifs,it's surreal! You can explore inside as well, and see the courtyard behind it!
Jaigarh Fort
Named after Jai Sinthgh of the Maharashtra which are the great kings that ruled the land of Jaipur. It was built during the 1400s to protect Amer Fort, when armies of the Greeks, Gangis Khan, and muslims incaded. There are so many rooms in the fort and in the center is a large pool where they would bring the criminals to be thrown in with aligators and hot oils! Harsh!! In the fort is one of the largest cannons in the world. Most of all I love the monkeys at the fort. There were so many baby monkeys that were breastfeeding, while another monkey picked bugs off the mom and the baby..was so amazing. They just states at yo u..They look so human! There were also pretty green birds, that looked like parrots that sat in the trees around the fort over looking the mountains.
Amer fort
One of my favorites to explore , and very easy to get lost in. So many mosaic walls, and rooms overlooking the city! I loved to see the contrast of colors in the mosaic walls, and the mirrors lining the walls and cieling. Many Indian people were here taking pride in their country and standing with the architecture. Here.. I was asked to take lots of pictures with kids and locals. I am trying to figure out if it is because I am white or the blonde in my hair. I've tried to ask but the language barrier is really tough.
Jah Mahal " Water Palace"
I can't imagine how hard it was to build this fort. It is in the middle of the Man Safer Lake. The land is equally the focus viewpoint, with a backdrop of the surrounding Naharagarh hills (tiger abode). The palace has 5 floors which four are under water..again how did they build this!? At the top there is a garden, which has towers on each corner. It's a sight to see.. and even better at sunset! We shopped the market and shot some pictures!
Shopping
Some of the best shopping is done here! The textile business is huge here, and the prices not disappointing at all. The boho purses, duvet, charms, and rugs I have seen here are sold in boutique websites for ten times the price! Also, this made me work on my haggling skills. If you don 't negotiate they will think your dumb, and you will continue to get ripped off. Since we are foreigners they automatically view us as rich. Which compared to them we are, but they need to know you have a budget and if they can't meet it you will walk away. If they give you good price, and tell them to keep the change to show you really appreciate it. Shopping things back home is always an option! I could spend all day in the shops, but I know how that would end up!
Over the city heritage forts and palaces stand tall. The streets are filled with amazing shopping, blankets, jewelry, rugs and crafts. The shopping is the same textiles you would see at Anthropologie, World Market, and Free People. It’s a place to splurge a little bit, see the beautiful palaces and practice your haggling
We stayed the first night at Pathik Niwas, a cozy stay. This little quaint place , is perfect if you want to meet people, and take some yoga or meditation classes. It was in a small neighborhood and bit away from the city which made it a quiet! I still slept with earplugs because of the howling dogs! The host teaches yoga classes morning and night, a variety of styles. They are free, and are open to the local community. I took one in the morning, it was nice and slow. He was a bit harsh talking about westerners doing yoga, but I tried not to take it personal. His wife prepared a authentic Indian breakfast every morning, with fresh fruit ( can’t get enough raw papaya!) He give you lots of recommendation of places to eat that are safe for foreigners, and has a water filtering system that was open for everyone to use.
Indian Driving
During the days we explored around the city in a Tuk Tuk. Words still can’t describe the rush of Indian traffic, and how chaotic it is.. the horns never stop honking. We have been pulled over twice, once for seat belts and for our tuk tuk careless driving! Johan and I have managed to learn how to cross the street like locals. You just go and don’t turn back, but know the drivers won’t stop for you! So walk fast!
Albert Museum
The beautiful palace is at start of the city. It was built with no purpose, and ended up being transformed into art museum. Chandeliers hung from the cieling, shining light on the white trim, blue walls, bohemian door ways, and the mosaic checkered tile. The architecture was like nothing I had ever seen. There was heritage jewelry,clothes, vases, home decor, and kitchen utensils..all of it was done by hand in the 1800s or earlier. My favorite was the stone gold God sculptures. Every God I had read about and many more. were present. The talent that India holds is exquisite, not just in the museums, but on the streets too.
Panna Meena Ka Kund
Endless amount of stepwells surrounds a pool of water. Supposedly, foreigners can't figure the farewell path out easily while locals can easily! If you go to india, it's certainly a place I wouldn't miss. It was a place of gathering in the summer to bathe and relax!
Hawa Mahal
Breezing through the Hawa Mahal.. "The palace of winds", which I am sure you guys have seen pictures, for its a huge facade! Right in Center Cityyyyy! This palace was built for royal woman to be seen, but not fully be seen. They needed a place to view the city, behind closed doors. They observed behind Purdah.. Meaning curtain in Hindu. The vibrant pink colors mean hospitality of the kings. The Rajas which means prince in Hindi, make up the states colors of hospitality. The palace is in the shape of Lord Krishna crown...I absorbed every aspect of the floral motifs,it's surreal! You can explore inside as well, and see the courtyard behind it!
Jaigarh Fort
Named after Jai Sinthgh of the Maharashtra which are the great kings that ruled the land of Jaipur. It was built during the 1400s to protect Amer Fort, when armies of the Greeks, Gangis Khan, and muslims incaded. There are so many rooms in the fort and in the center is a large pool where they would bring the criminals to be thrown in with aligators and hot oils! Harsh!! In the fort is one of the largest cannons in the world. Most of all I love the monkeys at the fort. There were so many baby monkeys that were breastfeeding, while another monkey picked bugs off the mom and the baby..was so amazing. They just states at yo u..They look so human! There were also pretty green birds, that looked like parrots that sat in the trees around the fort over looking the mountains.
Amer fort
One of my favorites to explore , and very easy to get lost in. So many mosaic walls, and rooms overlooking the city! I loved to see the contrast of colors in the mosaic walls, and the mirrors lining the walls and cieling. Many Indian people were here taking pride in their country and standing with the architecture. Here.. I was asked to take lots of pictures with kids and locals. I am trying to figure out if it is because I am white or the blonde in my hair. I've tried to ask but the language barrier is really tough.
Jah Mahal " Water Palace"
I can't imagine how hard it was to build this fort. It is in the middle of the Man Safer Lake. The land is equally the focus viewpoint, with a backdrop of the surrounding Naharagarh hills (tiger abode). The palace has 5 floors which four are under water..again how did they build this!? At the top there is a garden, which has towers on each corner. It's a sight to see.. and even better at sunset! We shopped the market and shot some pictures!
Shopping
Some of the best shopping is done here! The textile business is huge here, and the prices not disappointing at all. The boho purses, duvet, charms, and rugs I have seen here are sold in boutique websites for ten times the price! Also, this made me work on my haggling skills. If you don 't negotiate they will think your dumb, and you will continue to get ripped off. Since we are foreigners they automatically view us as rich. Which compared to them we are, but they need to know you have a budget and if they can't meet it you will walk away. If they give you good price, and tell them to keep the change to show you really appreciate it. Shopping things back home is always an option! I could spend all day in the shops, but I know how that would end up!
Cafè
Must stop at the La Palma! A little fancy.. but we needed it! The ambiance is pleasing. it’s quiet, white and black checkered chairs.. modern, sophisticated. The server made a little fire so we could sit outside at night and enjoy a cocktail and the mezzah plate was delicious. The staff was so kind, and really cared that we enjoyed out time and meal.. we love it their and will defiantly be back!
Must stop at the La Palma! A little fancy.. but we needed it! The ambiance is pleasing. it’s quiet, white and black checkered chairs.. modern, sophisticated. The server made a little fire so we could sit outside at night and enjoy a cocktail and the mezzah plate was delicious. The staff was so kind, and really cared that we enjoyed out time and meal.. we love it their and will defiantly be back!
The Rich and the Poor
Traveling to India, you see the poorest of the poor, and the richest of the rich one city. I will touch on this briefly for I will devote an entire post to this topic. It deserves a lot of attention.
Bollywood movie star houses and Slums are around the corner from one another. One
Traveling to India, you see the poorest of the poor, and the richest of the rich one city. I will touch on this briefly for I will devote an entire post to this topic. It deserves a lot of attention.
Bollywood movie star houses and Slums are around the corner from one another. One
bollywood house we drove by had a helicopter landing on the top, 25 floors, and 230 servant. Only man and his wife live inside. The first few floors are for all his cars... completely unnecessary. Just saying.
My heart aches for the children here.. You see babies outside the forts with their mothers while she tries to sella jewelry, with an even smaller baby in her arms. The babies don't wear pants because the mom can't afford diapers. You know they haven't had a shower in days. They have dirt matted into their hair, all over their little faces and bodies. They are running around playing with dirt, sticks, baloons. They play tag, and hide and go seek like other children. You see babies carrying other babies down the streets.. Can you imagine? Some children are doing manual labor, a grown man in the states wouldn't even do. I see their the same age as my nephews and neices.. and I can't even imagine. It just breaks my heart the precious souls of these children. Their lives are and will be so different. The saddest part is that they are born into poverty. Their entire life will be so much harder. When you look at them and see their life, nothing else matters. I just want to scoop them up, love them, and give them a better life. We will be volunteering a few times during our stay and I will post about it, but I want to bring awareness to poverty. When you think about wasting or that you don't have enough. You have enough, you have more than enough. Theirs starving kids.
We will be traveling to Pushkar next!!
My heart aches for the children here.. You see babies outside the forts with their mothers while she tries to sella jewelry, with an even smaller baby in her arms. The babies don't wear pants because the mom can't afford diapers. You know they haven't had a shower in days. They have dirt matted into their hair, all over their little faces and bodies. They are running around playing with dirt, sticks, baloons. They play tag, and hide and go seek like other children. You see babies carrying other babies down the streets.. Can you imagine? Some children are doing manual labor, a grown man in the states wouldn't even do. I see their the same age as my nephews and neices.. and I can't even imagine. It just breaks my heart the precious souls of these children. Their lives are and will be so different. The saddest part is that they are born into poverty. Their entire life will be so much harder. When you look at them and see their life, nothing else matters. I just want to scoop them up, love them, and give them a better life. We will be volunteering a few times during our stay and I will post about it, but I want to bring awareness to poverty. When you think about wasting or that you don't have enough. You have enough, you have more than enough. Theirs starving kids.
We will be traveling to Pushkar next!!
Very informative. Glad you’re safe♥️
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