| Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 | |
India - PART FOUR – on the way to JodhpurInterest forums / Older Travellers | ||
Just a reminder that we chose a basic travel route of Rajasthan that millions of visitors travel. I cannot repeat enough just how hard it was to choose which places to visit – and which places to note in my journal - and when I did visit a certain place, I knew I was seeing only a very small portion. So this simple journal is for those many ‘older’ travellers wondering if they should visit. In the larger cities and trying to get to the highway, always there were multi small children peering into our car – tapping their fingers on the windows - entertaining us with acrobatic manoeuvres – many almost nose to nose begging through the glass with pain in their eyes (unfortunately I had to close the window). It was hard – for just who could I help, and was I, really helping ? Dinesh’s vast local knowledge again was endlessly helpful. And always in the big cities we had to manoeuvre around the cows eating their plastic wrapped takeout – wrapping and all (garbage) – in fact, early in the morning we would find the citizens slogging along with their pails and shovels to a specified area where they would scoop the garbage into a pile, and soon enough, the cows came plodding in for their breakfast. Continued . . . | ||
There were numerous packs of dogs that were friendly with each other and not aggressive to others nor people. Quite a different temperament bred here. On the way to Jodhpur, we drove by a large gathering of people standing about a building. I was told that every 3-months and usually on a Sunday, the government provides free polio immunization to all children of a certain age - even to villagers far from town as they send someone out to reach them. The area was still very dry. Even so, we passed stalls loaded with superb fresh fruit and veggies, which we often stopped to purchase. The highways had a good number of toll booths. There was lots of varying transport: Sleek in many ways. Gotta move it somehow. With the fierce heat, it can be pretty rough waiting for transportation. About half way from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur, the endless desert was slowly replaced with more and more trees. We knew we were a good distance away from the border as the once well maintained roads were now full of pot holes - everywhere – and it was a very bumpy and slow ride. I found Jodhpur’s main bazaar terrific for shopping. An ‘I was here picture’ – with hubby heading to our hostel. Often when paying for items when shopping in markets, I accepted rupees back and realizing it was not enough, I politely waited for the balance. The shopkeepers quite often would just stare at me – blankly - and finally with a laugh - provide me the balance. I can’t blame them for trying. From our hostel rooftop, we had a terrific view of the Mehrangarh Fort – one of the largest and best preserved in India . . . and of course I had to visit. No wonder this fort is so well preserved. The interior presented solid splendour. Rajat Khasa Palanquin Everything was absolutely stunning: Endless stairs climbing up and up and upppp and then I read this :) On guard: Outside Jodhpur, we stopped at a small Jain Temple where a beloved son, killed on a motorcycle is memorialized. Even the motorcycle is there and prayers are daily said with accompanying music. I was told that each year on the anniversary of his death, someone rides this motorcycle from the shrine to his former home - and back again to the temple - and this way he is welcomed by family members. Honouring and sharing my friend’s values: We next headed for the small village of Ranakpur – a stunningly beautiful area. Continued Part 5. . . . | 1 | |