When we last posted, we were deciding whether or not we should allow the cute Mexican girl to join us. Well, I would say that by the look on my face, she and Rakesh had decided that it should be just us. Whew, that was close.
Left for Ranthamborne National Park at 8:30 a.m., four hours after I woke. Yes, jet lag is real!
The drive to the park was through rural Rajasthan, and quite an eye opener for us. The roads are very, very narrow, and the oncoming trucks are very, very big, overloaded and fast. So, that ride was like a game of chicken for 2 hours! The ride in total was 4 hours, but not all of it was so exciting. This area was filled with farming areas, mud huts, straw huts and very, small densely packed villages. The men were at the shops, and chai stands while the women, wearing brightly coloured saris could be found either at the water hole filling up their urns and carrying them on their heads, or chopping down twigs for fire. All this while cars were whipping by at 60-80km/h. Women in Rajasthan have the lowest literacy rate in the country. Many women wear scarfs covering their faces because they live in the towns that are the birthplace of their husbands - a "respect" for the elders of their in-laws.
Ranthamborne National Park was amazing. Wake up call at 5:30 a.m, one hour after I woke up (yep, still jet lagged), and off to the park with a couple from England and a father and son team aus Deutschland. Saw the sun rise over the largest lake in the park from an open back jeep covered in blankets. Absolutely beautiful. We were able to see lots of animals including peacocks, monkeys, many different species of birds, spotted deer, wild boar, crocodiles and owls. No tigers, but worth the visit nonetheless.
Jon is feeling a little "gassy" after the breakfast - of course, I respond by telling him to stop whimping and get your gear on, we are off to Jaipur.
Off to Jaipur after our safari. Another crazy ride on that narrow road leads to a flat tire. Hmm, now what? As it turns out, Ganesh is with us (the elephant God of luck), and we are stopped directly across the road from a "garage" -- which is a 3 ft x 3ft room on a platform with a guy with tools and an air compressor. The two boys address the tire issue and I am immediately - no kidding, it took about 1 minute - surrounded by school girls, then the boys came over to get in on the action as well. They all want to touch me, have their picture taken, look at the picture and then want my pen. So valuable are these pens that one boy was trading a little girl, probably about 3 yr old, for a pen. She ran off in tears, and I , in a very teacherly fashion scolded him. He didn't care. He just wants a pen.
Before we reach the old city of Jaipur, we stop in on a hindu temple. This one is dedicated to the monkey god, and ironically is surrounded with about 5000 monkeys that leave on the rock edge. Jon is complaining of a cold sweat, panting, and generally quite weak. What is wrong with him? Well at the top of the mountain climb (10-15 minutes climb), he excuses himself behind a small shrine and proceeds to leave his own offering to the monkey god in the form of Ranthamborne Lodge breakfast special. Yep, food poisoning! Ok, now that that's out of his system, he buckles down and completes the tour! What a trooper.
Jaipur is a beautiful city, referred to as the Pink City. Our hotel is equally stunning... over 1 hundred years old but modernized. Our room is palacial!! Jon is now in the throes of food poisoning fever. Hot shower and off to bed.
Our day starts with the most incredible "Lassie" we've ever had, in disposable clay cups (yes, a true environmental disaster, but what isn't here? Shelley - we have a lot of work to do). Visited Amber Fort, walked instead of taking an elephant ride up. Jaipur, outside of the beautiful old buildings and forts is famous for its textile markets. We head off to the "emporium" (i.e. the place where the driver takes you, overpriced), after which we visit another shop run by an Australian fellow. He shows us how the gold is put onto the sari fabric. Quite interesting - inside this "factory" ( a dark room about 15 ft by 20 ft) beautiful long pieces of fabric hang from the rafters, while specks of gold glitter can be seen in the rays of sunshine that penetrate the cracks in the walls. Being so into it, the owner has the young man put a gold stamp on my t-shirt -- I am never taking it off!
Later that afternoon we visited the textile bazaar area inside the walls of the old Pink City. The deals are a plenty and we very quickly realize that we just spent way too much at the Australian guy's shop -- oh well, I have gold on my t-shirt, so who cares? Went to dinner at a restaraunt that had traditional Rajasthani dancing, complete with guys in turbans playing instruments and singing. (memories of BBQ Hut in our minds)
That brings us to today. This morning we visited a very interesting Astrological/Time site. This area was built in the 1650 time frame - they were able to tell the time within 2 seconds -- pretty amazing. Other tools measured/tracked seasons, monsoon intensity, and some astrological predictions. Dan - you would love these structures!
We are now in Jodpur, a 6 hour drive from Jaipur. On the way, never a dull moment, the gas peddle wire (know idea what it is called) is giving us trouble. One look under the hood -- oops, it's broken! Of course, this is after Jon decides to get behind the wheel and give the gas pedal a few hard knocks. "Don't worry Mame, we can fix it" - and Rakesh does! He simply ties it back together again - "indian style".
Many accidents along the way - no wonder since these trucks are filled way over any North American allowances and all driving on a narrrow road overtaking one another every 50 metres! Not to mention the obstacles like donkeys, goats, sheep, women with loads on their heads, children and ... the holy cow! It's a wonder that we are here at this computer right now.
Off to bed, but not before thanking Ganesh for getting us here.
Good Night All!
Brendi and Jonni
Thursday, November 30, 2006
(pictures to follow when we can figure out these computers!)
Left for Ranthamborne National Park at 8:30 a.m., four hours after I woke. Yes, jet lag is real!
The drive to the park was through rural Rajasthan, and quite an eye opener for us. The roads are very, very narrow, and the oncoming trucks are very, very big, overloaded and fast. So, that ride was like a game of chicken for 2 hours! The ride in total was 4 hours, but not all of it was so exciting. This area was filled with farming areas, mud huts, straw huts and very, small densely packed villages. The men were at the shops, and chai stands while the women, wearing brightly coloured saris could be found either at the water hole filling up their urns and carrying them on their heads, or chopping down twigs for fire. All this while cars were whipping by at 60-80km/h. Women in Rajasthan have the lowest literacy rate in the country. Many women wear scarfs covering their faces because they live in the towns that are the birthplace of their husbands - a "respect" for the elders of their in-laws.
Ranthamborne National Park was amazing. Wake up call at 5:30 a.m, one hour after I woke up (yep, still jet lagged), and off to the park with a couple from England and a father and son team aus Deutschland. Saw the sun rise over the largest lake in the park from an open back jeep covered in blankets. Absolutely beautiful. We were able to see lots of animals including peacocks, monkeys, many different species of birds, spotted deer, wild boar, crocodiles and owls. No tigers, but worth the visit nonetheless.
Jon is feeling a little "gassy" after the breakfast - of course, I respond by telling him to stop whimping and get your gear on, we are off to Jaipur.
Off to Jaipur after our safari. Another crazy ride on that narrow road leads to a flat tire. Hmm, now what? As it turns out, Ganesh is with us (the elephant God of luck), and we are stopped directly across the road from a "garage" -- which is a 3 ft x 3ft room on a platform with a guy with tools and an air compressor. The two boys address the tire issue and I am immediately - no kidding, it took about 1 minute - surrounded by school girls, then the boys came over to get in on the action as well. They all want to touch me, have their picture taken, look at the picture and then want my pen. So valuable are these pens that one boy was trading a little girl, probably about 3 yr old, for a pen. She ran off in tears, and I , in a very teacherly fashion scolded him. He didn't care. He just wants a pen.
Before we reach the old city of Jaipur, we stop in on a hindu temple. This one is dedicated to the monkey god, and ironically is surrounded with about 5000 monkeys that leave on the rock edge. Jon is complaining of a cold sweat, panting, and generally quite weak. What is wrong with him? Well at the top of the mountain climb (10-15 minutes climb), he excuses himself behind a small shrine and proceeds to leave his own offering to the monkey god in the form of Ranthamborne Lodge breakfast special. Yep, food poisoning! Ok, now that that's out of his system, he buckles down and completes the tour! What a trooper.
Jaipur is a beautiful city, referred to as the Pink City. Our hotel is equally stunning... over 1 hundred years old but modernized. Our room is palacial!! Jon is now in the throes of food poisoning fever. Hot shower and off to bed.
Our day starts with the most incredible "Lassie" we've ever had, in disposable clay cups (yes, a true environmental disaster, but what isn't here? Shelley - we have a lot of work to do). Visited Amber Fort, walked instead of taking an elephant ride up. Jaipur, outside of the beautiful old buildings and forts is famous for its textile markets. We head off to the "emporium" (i.e. the place where the driver takes you, overpriced), after which we visit another shop run by an Australian fellow. He shows us how the gold is put onto the sari fabric. Quite interesting - inside this "factory" ( a dark room about 15 ft by 20 ft) beautiful long pieces of fabric hang from the rafters, while specks of gold glitter can be seen in the rays of sunshine that penetrate the cracks in the walls. Being so into it, the owner has the young man put a gold stamp on my t-shirt -- I am never taking it off!
Later that afternoon we visited the textile bazaar area inside the walls of the old Pink City. The deals are a plenty and we very quickly realize that we just spent way too much at the Australian guy's shop -- oh well, I have gold on my t-shirt, so who cares? Went to dinner at a restaraunt that had traditional Rajasthani dancing, complete with guys in turbans playing instruments and singing. (memories of BBQ Hut in our minds)
That brings us to today. This morning we visited a very interesting Astrological/Time site. This area was built in the 1650 time frame - they were able to tell the time within 2 seconds -- pretty amazing. Other tools measured/tracked seasons, monsoon intensity, and some astrological predictions. Dan - you would love these structures!
We are now in Jodpur, a 6 hour drive from Jaipur. On the way, never a dull moment, the gas peddle wire (know idea what it is called) is giving us trouble. One look under the hood -- oops, it's broken! Of course, this is after Jon decides to get behind the wheel and give the gas pedal a few hard knocks. "Don't worry Mame, we can fix it" - and Rakesh does! He simply ties it back together again - "indian style".
Many accidents along the way - no wonder since these trucks are filled way over any North American allowances and all driving on a narrrow road overtaking one another every 50 metres! Not to mention the obstacles like donkeys, goats, sheep, women with loads on their heads, children and ... the holy cow! It's a wonder that we are here at this computer right now.
Off to bed, but not before thanking Ganesh for getting us here.
Good Night All!
Brendi and Jonni
Thursday, November 30, 2006
(pictures to follow when we can figure out these computers!)
4 comments:
Hi Bren & Jon
Sounds exciting..Just like in the book (I'm enjoying it, hope to finish before you get back)
Jon, Lorkin & I won our doubles was fun..yes I do miss you..
Be safe, miss you guys
Sue
Bren, its Womens Christmas Classic at Fab Fit.this weekend, not the same without you..I can't make it because Krissy have soccer on Saturday. Elka and Jean says they will miss us
Hi Brends and Jon:
Brends your descriptions are great. I am impressed that you keep finding internet services. Sorry to hear Jon has intestinal issues. I am so sure that I would have succumbed by now. But he is made of strong stuff and I'm sure he'll be on the mend soon. Dan and I are heading off on our own safari this weekend. Yes, we're off to the wilds of Odessa to catch a glimpse of the new canine that now lives with Jan and Ron. How's that for exotic?
Keep those stories coming!
Love Shelley and Dan.
Hi Brenda and Jon Thanks for letting us live through you two while we're enjoying the Canadian weather and I the classroom. Dad has been reading your adventures to mom and they both think it's great. I can't believe everything you have done and seen (eat and drank ---- sorry Jon, but I bet the monkey God is very happy with your offering.) Bren - you could be a famous author with all of your interesting details and antidotes.
Can't wait to see the pics- Hope your camera is working.
Waiting your next adventure
Love Jenny
Hey there you two. Sounds like you're having a blast. I thought I would send you a quick update on your babies... they are both doing great! You may get some attitude from Kirby when you get home as I don't think he's too thrilled that you're not home. He just growls at me...well after he gets some food of course. Little bugger. Jaeger is too adorable...just wants to play. Dad is going in during the day to check on them - apparently Kirby likes him. ;o) So know that they are in good hands. Have a fantastic time. Be safe... Oh by the way, there is sleet outside and it's pretty darn cold. Wind chill tonight. Brrr Hope it's warmer where you are.
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