Wow! I've packed a lot into a short amount of time! Sorry its been a week since I last wrote...

After Jaipur I went back to visit my friends in Pushkar (although I didnt go into the town itself) and helped on a nearby farm picking roses, making chai & milking the cow! Also visited the local school. These are the things I love! Much better than being a "tourist". Nice to see them again :)

Then I moved on to Jodhpur (the blue city that wasnt really blue - just a small part). Had an awesome fort as it was once the capital of Mewar, a huge empire ~500 yrs ago.

Next was Jaisalmer - in the desert close to Pakistan! It is sand coloured & the fort (only inhabited one) looks like a big sandcastle. I went on a 2 day camel safari which was very relaxing & nice to get away from it all. Freezing sleeping on the dunes & really sore butt the next day! Enjoyed riding out to villages and the awesome sunsets.

Had an unpleasant overnight journey to Bikaner - checked out the Rat Temple where there are hundred's of rats crawling around everywhere which are "holy". And quickly saw the city before squishy bus journey out to Mendawar - ancient village area. Nice small towns, and I'm staying in a beautiful old haveli (rich man's mansion) - I feel like a queen!

Not really into being a tourist... but all the cities here have such fascinating history and I really love meeting the people!

I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep!!