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November 9th
We had our last meal at the fort - indian scrambled egg, curried potatoes and chaptie. we bid our hosts good bye and off we went, or so we thought. The narrow village road was blocked by a large truck being loaded with sacks of grain. After some negotiations, the truck backed up enough for us to get by, I am sure that costs us a few ruppees. The village was mostly deserted as the kids were back in school.
we arrived in Bundi around 1:30 in the afternoon a bit later than expected. We had a "Quick Snacky" lunch as our guide Sharlender calls it, of pakora, fries, soup at Ishwair Niwas a Haveli or Merchant house - it was built in 1920. Each room is unique. Now everytime place we stay there is a open house see we can see each others stately room and compare -its a lot of fun.
Our first tour was of Rani Ji Ki barri - Step walls built in 1699 - it was the centre of religious & social activities as well as a main source of water for the village - these days the basin contains water and garbage, its home to pigeons and bats.While here, the Minister of Tourism was touring the grounds - I hope she takes away the need to preserve India's history.
Bundi's Tara Garh fort built on the side of hill on 1354 has a stately Palace (built in 1607) smack dab in the middle of it. From across the way it looks like something out of a movie. - could you imaging entering the valley by camel and the first thing you see is this wonderful stately Palace? We enter the Palace through the Elephant Gate (two large Elephants join by trunks over the stately entrance - the massive wooden doors were made narrow and with metal spikes so the enemies elephant's could not knock them down).The Palace has a modest garden that overlooks the blue colored village below and a wonderful art gallery with Indian and Chinese influenced murals painted on the walls.
From the fort we walked back to the Haveli through the village.The streets are very narrow, a small channel carries raw sewage to where ever and is also a source of water for the many cows and pigs that roam freely.Animal life is sad here.In the village there is much garbage which the free roaming animals eat - its not uncommon for animals to eat plastic.Other animals are tethered to a post with no water or feed.The streets are lined with extremely small shops which cater to the locals not tourist.Motorbikes scream through the narrow streets dodging pedestrians, animals and bicycles, between taking it all, watching to not get ran over or stepping in some un-desirable substances, it was quite tiring.At the end of the walled city was a busy intersection which a cow decided he would have to rest in the middle of which made for a bit of entertainment.
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Eric Gee, Maria, "watching to not get ran over or stepping in some un-desirable substances" - I hope you're not wearing your trademark sandals! But then knowing you, you probably are.......