Tuesday, November 10th we arrived in Jodhpur, the second largest city in Rajasthan. Many of the houses are painted blue so it is called the Blue City. The Brahmin or priests are the top level of the Cast system and their houses are blue. Gold and silver workers homes are yellow or gold.
Once again, totally different from anything we have seen.
We got another royal greeting with a larger band! They played an Indian song then started playing Jingle Bells! All of the people in these villages know when Palace on Wheels rolls into town. They all come to the station to see.
We stopped at a station just outside of Jodhpur. The Jodhpur can get a little crazy they said.
A dad and his baby coming to see the POW
The welcome band that played Jingle Bells!
We bagan at a mausoleum, called Jaswant Thada, which is where the Hindu cremates their royalty. The building is made of marble from Makrana, India. It is the same marble as the Taj Mahal. It is not porous so it keeps its white color. It is the hardest marble made. It can be translucent. An amazing substance.
A great view of Mehrangarh Fort
Views from inside
Amazing how these Indian ladies can carry anything on their heads
Now on to Mehrangarh Fort
The Blue Group arrived at the Fort
Mr. Singh is always there to solve our problems. He keeps a wad of money incase you need to exchange or even borrow!
Another view from the Fort of this Blue City
It's so cool to see green parrots flying around wild.
The Palace inside the Fort was a beautiful one. We've seen a lot of Forts and Palaces and they are all very different. This Palace is a museum.
Once inside we had a turban wrapping demonstration. Amazing how long it is.
Obviously Craig's head was larger then the Indian guy who wrapped it!
We saw some beautiful and unusual artifacts in the museum, like old Elephant seats and baby cradles. The palace was full of my favorite peacock arches!
An elephant "back seat"
Another elephant seat
Some kind of royal carrier for a maharani which is a queen
I saw several ladies mopping the floor like this. A stick with a rag attached
I'm in love with all of the different fret work! Wish I had some of this at home too!
Several times we were asked to take pictures with locals. Some never leave the area they were born in and seldom see Americans
These are elaborate baby cradles. Some rocked on their own!
More fabulous Peacock arches!
There were a few shopping stalls on the way out of the museum
Dhurrie rugs
Indian slippers made from camel leather
Kurtas and other clothes
And oh the bangles! We would start to see bangles everywhere!
Then on to a POW licensed kick back shopping place!
By this time we just wanted some lunch!
Rugs, jodhpur pants, saris, jackets, pashminas, blankets, etc etc
Then on to lunch at a fabulous hotel for lunch.
The Ajit
Of course after I snapped his picture he said, "money"!
A very "Out of Africa" feel
An extra touch of beauty…a bowl full of marigold petals.
Now back to Palace on Wheels for a nice afternoon nap!
Here are a few sights on the way back to the train.
A bus full of people! They cram so many into buses, cars, motorcycles and tuk tuks.
I guess this sign means hotel
These round clay pots are used for water. You would see them scattered around town. They are like a water fountain. Everyone drinks from the same ones.
These end slabs of red sandstone are everywhere. They use them as dividers and fences.
Craig took some granola bars and peanut butter crackers out to the children at the station. After he gave to this one little boy they all came running shouting "Hello"
Next stop…Agra and the Taj Mahal!
