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Secind - and final - postcard from India.
From Pushkar our next stop was Jaipur - capital of Rajatahn, population of over 3 million and at first sight not as appealing as the desert towns we had been visiting. But it grew on me - the amazing Amber fort, our rather dilapidated old Maharajah's palace that we were staying in, the vibrant evening market at Johari bazaar full of dazzling fabrics and silver jewellery and best of all our trip to the art deco glory of the Raj Mandir cinema where for the princely sum of under 2 punds we were in the diamond class seats with our own separate plush waiting area. we saw the latest Bollywood movie Delhi 6 and only need now to wait for it to come out on DVD with subtitles to figure out what it was all about.
Then on to Agra - which one only visits for one reason. Fortunately we saw the Taj in earlymorning before th hordes arrived and it is impressive, though you have this strange feeling of having seen it before because it is so familiar from the pictures and I resisted the temptation to have my photo taken on the "princess diana seat".
Our final stop with the group was back in Delhi for a one day whistle stop sightseeing tour and the next day we flew to Varanasi. This is India on speed - heat, noise, crowds, beggars, holy men, markets, everything is magnified. Our guest house was right on the Ganges with a million dollar river view (quote Lonely Planet) We did the obligatory sunset and sunrise river trips and walked the streets and bazaars, but 2 days was enough! Back via Delhi and then on by train to Shimla where we now are. Indian trains - all booked internet from home - are great. From Agra to delhi on a 2 hour trip we got a hot meal served at our seat and en route to Kalka we had breakfast - cornflakes and hot croissant! Secodn half of this trip was less galm however on what they call the toy train - tin box on wheels, which takes 5 hours to travel 70 kms - all uphill, but the views are amazing.
Shimla is a complete contrast. No cows, no tuk-tuks, no beggars, no rickshaws, healthy looking dogs and people far less friendly than in Rajasthan. The reminders of the Raj era are everywhere, strange and now dilapidated Alpine looking buildings and the vice-regal lodge which was statement of who was in charge in a big way. For 6 months of every year from 1888 to 1939 one fifth of the world'sopulation was ruled from this building! And the scenery is fantastic even though it clouded over yesterday when we took a trip on the romantically named Hindustan-Tibet road to a place called Narkanda from where we should have seen China and the Himalayas. Oh well, that's travel for you.
So today filling in a bit of time before taking overnight train back to Delhi and flying home on Saturday. My body (stomach especially) is looking forward to home. Oh for a green salad and my own bed! But mind and spirit has thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Love Linda
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