Travel and Play in Rajasthan, India
“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people. ”
Oh India how I love you!
My traveling companion, life partner and creative collaborator and I traveled to Rajasthan India this past winter, spending almost 3 months in the state! This truly was the journey of a lifetime, and I have no doubt I will go again someday. Textile much?? ohhh la la!
India always has an abundance of colour and light and Rajasthan was even more intensely flavoured than I thought. We arrived in Delhi in December and left the city within hours as we saw and smelled for ourselves how smoky and polluted the air is at that time of year. We had planned to spend a few days, having never been there and knowing that in the city there is one of the biggest markets in South Asia, Chowdi Chowk, amongst many other delights.
We instead headed to Jaipur! The PINK city. 6 million souls, a HUGE city by Canadian standards. This was our first taste of north India, after having only traveled in the south in the past. We LOVED it. And we were overwhelmed by it. The wonders and charms though won us over, with glorious streets filled with sari shops, bangle shops, and the thriving intensity of a city on the move. It felt stimulating beyond measure coming from our quiet west coast tiny island life.
We ate and drank street food, always a no no, but still we did and we survived and thrived. Fresh whipped lassis, fresh veg juice and samosa stands with yummy chutney!
And yes, it was very busy, extremely noisy and polluted too! We went to Amber Fort, nearby the city and it was a blessing to be within a palace and fort out of the hectic big city. It was filled with many tourists, mostly Indians visiting their own landmarks. It felt very fun to be touring with people of India admiring their own heritage.
The palaces are incredible! And the PEOPLE?? Amazing!!
p.s. also, my big love…TEXTILES! pix to come.
