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Just arrived at Jaipur and we are staying in an old Haveli now converted into a hotel on the edge of the old town. Jaipur is huge, second only to Delhi on our itinerary, and the drive through the suburbs was another Indian experience. The old town was painted pink for Prince of Wales (later King Edward) visit in 1870's and remains so, evidently with fines for anyone who tries painting their property a different colour!
Drive up from the camp site at Nimaj was very quick including a section of 6-line (motorway with 3 lanes each side) where we had the unbelievable site of cows grazing on the central reservation and wandering into the road, scooters with whole families on them (4 is the max number I have seen so far) and cars/lorries literally (Harry) driving down the wrong side of the road.
We are being taken by our driver for some textile shopping - sounds ominous - but this is a far better way of seeing the local shops than being taken by the guide at the end of the sightseeing trip tomorrow to his brother / uncle / grandmother's shop where we are force fed tea and cakes, shown 1001 items all of which are "unique" and as a result of their hospitality and the 1001 items all scattered over the shop - to then buy something! We have been "done" like this a few times now including the Putney story by the pashmina seller from Kashmir - we will tell you more on our return!
Tomorrow is the elephant ride up to the Amber fort - if they are in the mood and the numerous French tourists have not got their before us.
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