We were official up at 4:00am, really did not sleep, the hotel was nosiy and fireworks were going off at all hours. We left the hotel at 5:00 for the short ride to the train station. Some people still layed asleep along side the road, our guide says many are migrate workers with no home. Others clearing just waking up were washing, brushing there teeth and some releiving themselves in the "public" toilet. The station was crazy, the street lined with tuk tuks, motorbikes, bicycles, pedistriations and the old car.. so much honking, too earlier in the morning, the sun is not even up yet. Our bus tried to pull into the station but had to backup and park on the road that was quite the comotion, bystanders were "assisting" in providing instruction, everyone is so helpful. Our guide arranged for portors to take our bags, me with my packback was content on carrying mine but what the hey, have to suppor the local economy. Each porter carried two large (more likely than not heavy) suitecases on their heads and a few duffle bag and my bag on thier arms...we fast tracked the local line up through security meeting our bags on the platform. When the trained pulled up I thought, really, is this our train, it looked about 100 years old - this is the express to Jaipur? In deed. It gets worse. the inside vaguely reminded of a bus ETS puts on display for the "this is now, and this was then" 5 hours...hmm there were only a few of us on our tour in C-2 the rest in C-3 - after we passed a third class train were people hung out the doors and windows and sat on top of the cabin, we were not in bad shape with our dirty window and uncomforable seats. Shortly after we left the station, tea was served, I passed on the tea trying to avoid the toilet later, and had my boxed breakfast of two boiled eggs, soggy veggie sandwich and a banana. Later breakfast arrived - hot omelet. darn..had enough. 5 hours later we arrived in Jaipur..short drive and a toilet break....oh that felt so good. We have a 2 hour drive to Pachewar. We are staying two nights in a 300 year old fort converted into a heritage hotel located on the outskirts of this village of 10,000. The owners greeted each one us with a local flower and red paint on our foreheads. Each room is unique, ours was saffron yellow with original indian murals, old wooden doors opened on to one of the courtyards on the second floor, we had three double beds, large dressing area and huge bathroom - this was not the largest of rooms - I will post pictures later. Parots fly freely around the grounds as so Peakcocks, the other night we saw an owl. We had a short village walk to one of the workers home to see how they live and for a cooking demostration then it became a bit of a photo shoot. We had a lovely dinner in the courtyard at the fort complete with dressing up in Sari's and giving belly dancing a go. In the early evening the town temple plays loud music over the village as a way to keep the faith and positive vibes. Did not work on us. 11:00 lying be, by god it must be ending soon? 12, 1, 2, 3, 4... just after 7:00am. Night two I am taking drugs.

The following day we did an extensive village walk which was truely a photo shoot. the public school kids were off for the holiday and followed us - I felt like the piped piper. Photo, Photo. I guess about 4 or 5 tour groups come by eaxh month and take photos and send them to the village so everyone begs to get thiers - it was litterally exhausting. We spent the rest of the afternoon getting henna - I only got my left hand done, now my hand matches my hair. That evening we had a puppet show, I tried my hand at it and was even part of the show - it was fun but the puppet was heavy and the strings were cutting into my fingers - I also tried drumming - I suck. I had my picutre taken with "Love" and "the God" the musican and puppeteer - when Tina, our host, transalated their names to English, Love blushed - it was cute. Off to bed to the music of peace and serenity...not...give my drugs.