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Another day - another fort!
Today was our only day to see Jaipur- we leave on the night train later - and so we had loads to fit in before we left! The problem was that we had stayed in relative luxury last night, and we slept so long, the early start we wanted just passed us by like a fat man walking past a salad bar. We did eventually emerge however, and got straight on with the few sights we wanted to see.
Jaipur has an old central district called the Pink City, for obvious reasons. (Many of the buildings are painted that colour, obviously!!!) So this was where we headed to see all the important things.
First on the agenda was the city place, which was a pretty standard Indian site - elaborate marble, shiny things etc etc. Still nice, but we had kind of seen it all before. The highlight of this visit is something that seems to be becoming a regular ocurence. As we entered the place, we stopped briefly for the all too necessary photo oppurtunity in the gate. As we did this, a low flying pigeon launched his missile comprising of whatever faecal matter he wanted to deposit, all over Dan. He was not amused, as not a week ago he was set upon by an entire flock of crows! The cleaning facilities are not good here either, so he now has to spend the next three months covered in bird poo - not a good look!
But it is good luck they say, so maybe we won't die!
After this we were led to the Jintar Mintar, which is an astological observatory, using enormous stone structures to determine the time, position of the sun, what sign of the zodiac we are in, not to mention the largest sundial in the world. (Don't believe me, check the Guinness Book of Records!). It was fascinating, and the accuracy of all the items was pretty awesome - the sundial told the time down to 2 second denominations!
Or last stop was the Amber Fort, high in the hills. In the hot it was an excruciatingly long walk, but well worth it for the view alone.
The driver on the way back tried to take us to some shops, but after Agra we were pretty determined we had seen more than enough trinkets and carpets to last us. We politely, but firmly declined.
Jaipur is very different to Delhi in many ways - less cars, but more motorbikes. The people hassle you just as much, but are increasingly more firiendly about it. They engage you more in conversation and are a little more persistent, some even to the extent of following you for 100s of metres, but you don't mind so much because they seem to like chatting to you. It seems a bit more welcoming.
Yet despite all this, I preferred being in Delhi: it's more of a challenge, more of an adventure. The barrage of yells and screams of "luvly jubbly' and 'fish and chips' as you walk to the street is a vein attempt to attract the British mans attention, but one that oozes charm. At times, maybe they were ruder, but they were easy to brush aside.
If only had to return to one, Delhi would be my choice at the moment.
As if my opinion means anything!
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