Saturday 23rd February 2019
Jaipur: City Walk
This is our final day in the city of Jaipur and we have a free day.
The city is the capital of Rajasthan and is often referred to as the pink city. In the late 19th century the King of Jaipur ordered all the buildings within the walled historic city to be painted terracotta pink. This colour represents hospitality and the decision was made in order to welcome Prince Albert to Jaipur.
These days it is the law that the buildings must continue to be painted this shade of pink.
After breakfast we took a tuk tuk to one of the city’s gates. The ride was dusty and the fumes from the vehicles that constantly surrounded us were extremely strong.
Luckily I had a scarf with me; it had been my constant companion in case I needed to respectfully cover my head or any other part of my body in any religious building. I wrapped it over my head and across my mouth and nose to at least abate some of the nauseating fumes.
The city gate is the starting point for a ‘city walk’ in our guide book. There is disruption in the pink city due to the construction of an extension to the metro system so we will have to make one or two diversions. And, of course, we will wander from the suggested route if we spot anything that we fancy exploring.
Following the guidebook’s directions we wandered through several bazaars. The majority of the small businesses were still closed; others were in the process of opening. Heaps of dirt and rubbish were in front of some of the rusting metal shutters that were still firmly closed. Some shopkeepers were sweeping their spots with dried grass brooms and beating their products creating clouds of dust.
No doubt a walk around the same area later in the day would offer an abundance of colour from the many products that would be overflowing from each outlet. It would be noisy too with the shopkeepers competing to get the attention of the shoppers and also with the bartering of the prices.
There were a few folk sat here and there on the pavements selling a small variety of fresh produce. Three barbers sat cross legged on one street shaving their customers, their sharp implements laid next to them. We saw quite a few men making colourful flower garlands, the offerings that would be purchased and taken to one of the many temples in the city.
Camels and tuk tuks rivalled other vehicles for space on the city’s roads
Pausing at a small open fronted temple we saw devotees seated silently and staring at the picture of the deity in front of them.
Passing the Palace of Winds, we stood for a few minutes, gazing at the magnificent structure once more.
Two or three beggars approached us while we were walking around but none of them were insistent.
A section of the route nearing the end of the walk should have taken us through a small tunnel which would apparently lead us to some kite shops. However access was blocked by a huge truck and a small earth moving vehicle that was shovelling huge piles of rubbish into the truck.
So, we took a detour and wandered through some narrow streets. We saw a number of no doubt, once splendid buildings which were now crumbling dotted around the old dirty streets.
The recommended coffee house promised at the end of the walk was now becoming increasingly tempting. Unfortunately we couldn’t find it despite retracing our steps and checking the directions.
Therefore, we made do with a couple of soft drinks from a small kiosk. Jumping into a tuk tuk we headed back through the busy, bustling and noisy streets, and returned to the quiet and completely different world of Shapura House.
It was time for relaxing. Sat by the pool in the lovely grounds, we ordered a couple of club sandwiches and a couple of cold beers for lunch.
Later, I went to the hotel’s spa and enjoyed an Indian Head massage, the traditional ingredients that they used included amla (Indian gooseberry), brahmi (a herb), curry leaves and neem. It was heaven!
After packing for our departure in the morning, we slowly wandered through the lovely hotel, admiring the architecture once more.
A young couple were playing pool in the ‘Billiards Bar’, the only time that we have seen anyone playing, the cues and balls usually perfectly laid out as is the rest of this traditional havelli.
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