Jaipur, Rajasthan

Pink is sexy. After finally witnessing Taj’s immortal love, I thought that was it—India’s finest! But after a 4-hour drive, I was brought to a lovely place, lovelier than Agra. The whole city, both old and new, was painted with pink, mixed with bright colors of Indian clothing and spices. Arriving after sunset was intimidating, looking at their huge business buildings, hotels, and those spotlights that shone the palaces and forts in the hill like expensive jewelry. The pink city was even more inviting to see, regal and captivating.

The feeling was crazy when approaching Amber Fort, like a mirrored image, properly framed by the lake’s tranquility. Ecstasy hit me going up the fort through an elephant ride. It was a travel-machine ride back to ancient days, when cities and architectures were the greatest. I envy those residents in the Fort who live in a breathtaking walled city surrounded by a beautiful wonder of nature—almost like a fictional flying city just below the clouds.

We visited the local pink market and bought some overpriced stuff. I was fooled by a vendor who sold me an overpriced ‘Aladdin’ hat and $45 Indian long sleeves, but all were of cheap quality. But I am truly proud, that I tried the unbeatable Indian street food. Jaipur’s street food was delicious, except for golgappa. It’s a tasty, crispy finger food, to be filled with sauce inside, but the vendor soaked the golgappa with his raw hand in a bowl of dipping sauce, and stirred it, while he and some bystanders warned us not to eat more, otherwise we would end up days sleeping in toilets.

Jaipur is an enticing discovery in India. People with beautiful smiles walking, even sleeping on the streets behind and upfront the beautiful pink walls—the pink city is unbelievably beautiful in the day. They have camels; they have the Raj Palace Hotel, the second most expensive hotel suites in the world; they have lakes, beautiful and clean lakes; and they have a sunken palace and a Great Wall too, like the one in China.

I might hit Quiapo and grab Judi Dench’s ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.’ The film was shot in Jaipur.

 The famous Hawa Mahal built in 1779

  Elephant driver’s tip = 100 Rupee Cobra flutter Local residences outside the Amber Fort    Puppet show called Kathputali   Downtown pink Jaipur    A nice bar with great music, after a loooong walk

Everywhere in Jaipur is pink. The whole city was painted pink since 1853.

   

We went to the world famous Channi Carpet. When they learned we were from the Philippines, they showed us a receipt of Gregorio Araneta III’s order in 2004 when he visited Jaipur. Two vendors talked to me in Spanish, because they thought Filipinos are Latinos. LOL

Jaipur is composed of pink buildings, pink walls after pink walls and pink gates.

      

  Not from afar is part of the Great Wall of Jaipur      Jaj Mahal or water palace built in 1799 That’s me with my ‘Aladdin’ hat Can you see the Great Wall of Jaipur?