Agra to Jaipur

The next day in Agra, we saw the beautiful tomb, Itimad-ud-Daulah. It
was not as striking as the Taj, but maybe more beautiful in its
delicate and feminine details.

Then we drove to Jaipur. Adding to the list of animals on the street
are buffalo, camels, rats, and elephants. The drive went through
rural areas and beautiful farmlands.

Jaipur is known as the Pink City because its Old City has buildings
that are pinkish in color. We saw a beautiful hilltop Amber palace, a
palace on the water, the City Palace (inside the old city), and the
Palace of Winds. The Palace of Winds felt like we were in Alice in
Wonderland because of its 'toy house-like' design has a wall of over
300 tiny windows (about the size of a head) looking out to the street.
We also saw Jawa Mantar, a courtyard filled with huge structures
designed to tell time. One massive 28 meter high sundial claims
accuracy to 2 seconds.

We wandered through textile bazaars of silk scarfs, tie-dye and block
print fabrics (both famous in Jaipur), and colorful saris. One place
showed us how they make the block prints. We also saw how they cut
and polish beautiful gems. Jaipur is known for its semi-precious
stones. Both the real and the fake kind.

The streets are crowded with people, animals, trash, and many modes of
transport. People are often shouting at you, stepping in front of you
to try and make you come to their shop or take their rickshaw. In the
midst of the chaos, Kristin was bucked by the horn or a cow while
simultaniously getting clipped by a rickshaw. Thankfully all it left
was a bruise.

The food, drink and sweets are all delicious. We have yet to have
average Indian food. A milky-sugared and spiced chai or mango lassi
makes up for a crazy day. There is a fudge-like milk based sweet
called 'barfi' that tastes amazing. We usually have samosas from the
street for at least one meal a day. It is served with a tart or sweet
sauce. No GI problems yet! If we buy something on the street we make
sure and see them cooking it. Food from the street is served on a
flimsy small paper plate, and either on steel or plastic trays in
restaurants.

Tonight we head to Jodphur.