Sunday, October 7, 2012

Field Trip


I picked up a book at the local bookstore titled “Jaipur, 10 Easy Walks”, thinking the walks could be a fun way to get to know various parts of the city other than the tourist traveled ones.  On Saturday we did Walk #8:  Tripola Gate to Albert Hall Museum.  Below are some of the pics of that walk, and one of the peacock that was waiting outside our door when we got home.
A little background.  Sawai Jai Singh II visualized his planned city (The Pink City) and built it in 1727.  This is a walled city of forts, palaces, and gardens, with 7 main gates through which you gain access to the Pink City.  In addition, there is the “new” gate, which you will see in the pics of today’s walk.  I guess 7 wasn’t enough?
On our walk we saw some traditional streets that you could hear before you could see, because of all the hammering on silver and copper, a side alley devoted to all manner of snacks, school children who always shouted “Hello” at us, and ended our walk at the Albert Hall Museum, which was originally constructed to house Price Albert during a visit to Jaipur, but now contains fine art objects from all over Asia and some further afield. 
Getting the ticket to Albert Hall necessitated participating in a scrum-like mass of people, and attempting to get your hand through the hole to give to the woman on the other side of the glass, who sometimes forgot what she was doing and would chat with her neighbors inside the booth until someone shouted to her to take their money.  It was a little intimidating and very hot work. I had Steve guard my back while I mushed forward with the scrum, and finally we obtained two foreigner tickets.  As we walked toward the entrance a very large phalanx of elementary aged school children charged us to say “Hello” then proceeded to mob us like we were rock stars, without the bodyguards, unfortunately.  I’ve been around my share of kids so I promised to take their picture if they all backed away from us.  It worked and we were able to escape them.  Kids are just about the same everywhere.
Tripola Gate, the beginning of our walk

The New Gate, which takes us outside the Pink City



A Mob Scene

Architectural Detail inside Albert Hall

Called Tiger Knives....Scary looking.

Old Thing, interesting



Some new yoga moves!

Our feathered friend waiting for us

Flower vendor outside temple

No idea... Any guesses?

Funnel Cakes, Indian Style

Snacks in the alley way

Cow enjoying the snack in the alleyway

Boiling Milk...Not sure what for

Interesting Veggie, Maybe?  Looks like a geometric Brussel Sprout.

Winner of Largest Hammer Award

School bus taking home some kids

3 comments:

  1. Keep those great food pics coming!!! Absolutely love the shot of the flower vendor - the colors are so vibrant. Also love the veggies we've never seen before and the piles of spices. Don't those kids look just so lovely and eager and mischievous?? So cute!! Greetings from Victoria, BC, where J and I are spending the weekend. Hope to Skype with you soon. Love, A.

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  2. Love the picture of the kids... those snacks... what were they? all looks like fun.

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  3. GREAT pics. that is a tight squeeze in the school bus!

    I LOVE that New Gate. beautiful.

    The boiling milk reminded me that i wanted to tell you that I would to commission some research on burfi (milk cake). I am a very big fan of it but have only had it from one establishment. An indian friend of mine said it was easy to make, so I'd appreciate whatever advice/insight you can offer.

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