Day 254, Delhi, India

With Asha and Maya at 'Mayas Nest'

My last day in India and my last day of travel and adventures.

Oh, how I will miss all of it, the excitement of new places and people to meet.

I have enjoyed my whole trip, almost 9 months of discovering not just about the big wide world out there, but also about me!

Shanna and I went on a shopping mission today to craft markets; Dilli Haat and Dastkar.

We took tuk tuks, Shanna hadn't been in one yet, so that added to the experience. But what a lovely day it was! We (mainly me) bought quite a few bits and pieces. Especially the last few months I have bought very few things to take home, mainly because I didn't want to be carrying too much with me, and I kept telling myself once I got to Delhi it would be my opportunity. Last time in Delhi I went to Dilli Haat with Kathryn and decided then to return.

With my henna artist 

Shanna and I also had the chance to have our henna redone and found a really good artist. 

The international language is definitely a smile; Shanna had a small mole on her arm and the artist covered it beautifully with a henna drawing. When she noticed and smiled, he looked up with a huge grin, obviously happy with her reaction too.

Tuk tuk time

Next another tuk tuk ride, the negotiations are always interesting, but a must. We went to Dastkar, another arts and crafts market and very nice to shop at, again I managed to get a few nice things. 

Back at our guesthouse we got our suitcases sorted and had a nice cup of tea and chat with our host Asha and her daughter Maya. Maya is an artist and has some wonderful paintings in the house. I encouraged her to put a wee sign up in the guest rooms to make guests aware of her paintings and to actually start selling them, as her work is very unique and she has a great style. I think she was really quite pleased with the compliments!

Time to say goodbye to Shanna, she has a midnight flight and mine is tomorrow at lunchtime.

It's also time to say goodbye to all those who read my blog as after today there won't be much to share so no more posts after today.

No write-off here;
someone was working on this car!

It's been a pleasure to write my blog; an excellent way to record my journey and share it with you, but it also has made me think a little harder about my days and at times research what I have seen and done that day. 

Goodbye and au revoir xoxoxo 

Day 253, Delhi, India

At the Taj

An early start; we were up before 6 and picked up by car at 7.00, to be taken to Agra and the Taj Mahal.

A bit of a drive first to the other side of Delhi, even at that early hour and no traffic it took 45 minutes, then on the new express way for 185 km's straight, no exits! And then we were in Agra.

This small city only has a population of 4 million and has two most significant monuments; the Taj and Agra Fort.

The crazy streets of Agra

We were met by our guide for the day, Shaan Kahn, who was both informative and helpful with taking photos. He took a real shine to Shanna, actually said 'you must get proposed to every day, you are so beautiful'. He even asked her what she looks for in a man! It was very funny and I think Shanna was really quite flattered.

After lunch at a nice restaurant, all included in the Amin Day Tours price, we stopped at a workshop/ shop where they inlay stones into marble, very much like the artists did at the Taj Mahal. It was interesting to see how it's done and I couldn't help myself and bought a wee souvenir (yes, I know, the purpose of bringing me there).

Filing down the stones to be inlaid 

Next was the Agra Fort, and even though I have seen it before, again it was interesting to hear its history, especially mingled with Shanna being chatted up by Shaan! 

And then time to drive back into peak hour Delhi traffic. 

Day 252, Delhi, India

At the museum yesterday 

Well, I guess today you would call a boring day in the sense of travel.

We caught a taxi to the airport and were there early. Udaipur Airport is very clean and modern, but very quiet; only 5 flights departing today!

An uneventful flight and arrival into Delhi, then a taxi to our guesthouse, which took a while. We are staying quite close to the airport, only it took the driver a while to find the property. 

Tonight we are staying at a guesthouse, only three rooms and we are welcomed by the mother standing on the balcony waving us up.

Another one at the museum 

She made us a lovely cup of tea and a biscuit and sat and had a chat, a nice change from a hotel.

So Shanna and I have experienced it all while in India; a 5 star hotel in Juhu beach, a hotel in the midst of it in South Mumbai, an unusual guesthouse with a super view from the rooftop restaurant, a Palace (indescribable beautiful) and now a Homestay.

We walked to a nearby mall as we needed a couple of things, Shanna a new suitcase and for me some hairspray. The Ambience Mall was big and modern, we almost felt like we were not in India anymore. Well, suitcase was no issue, but hairspray! We went to numerous shops, we even found a supermarket (my first one in 3 months!), but none to be found. At one stage we went into a store similar to Farmers, and was approached by a male assistant (not many female shop assistants). While explaining what I was after, I had 7 male staff staring at me; they are obviously overstaffed here! A very bizarre experience and still no hairspray! I eventually found some at a hair salon though. 

Day 251, Udaipur, India

Playing the flute at the gift ceremony 

Everything takes time in India. We ended up not seeing the actual wedding ceremony last night! It happened at 2.15 in the morning and lasted two hours and Shanna and I both missed it. Having said that, lots of the other guests also didn't get there, so we didn't feel too bad. It got so cold outside, and nothing was happening, as in, no music or dancing, so it was too long a wait.

We saw so many other ceremonies and beautiful things though, and in the end it didn't really matter.

The gold and diamond jewellery 

After breakfast and checkout we were meeting in the gardens to farewell the bride and groom at 10 am. We finally bid them farewell at 2.00, such is the Indian timetable. 

However, that's totally besides the point.

Our stay and attendance at the wedding has been beyond description. Everyone, and especially the bride's mum and sister, made us feel so welcome and involved us. There were more gifts for the guests, a beautiful gold medallion as well as a solid gold picture with the frame engraved with the bride and grooms names. The married couple sat on a bench, receiving their gifts from the opposite family; gold and diamond necklaces, bracelets and earrings as well as gifts for both the in-laws. This is definitely a different world altogether.

With the bride's mum, receiving
another gift

Especially when we came back from the Palace into Udaipur old city and our guesthouse. Outside as we got out of the taxi there was a man begging; his legs were so badly deformed that he was having to use his hands to get around, he almost appeared to be a double amputee, scooting around like that. How can you reconcile that with the opulence we have witnessed for three days, I just do not know, don't know if you ever can. 

After check in to the guesthouse we went for a walk to the museum. The most interesting part was the artist in the foyer, selling miniature paintings. We had a great chat with him, he painted my thumbnail to show he really was an artist and we made his day when we both purchased paintings of him.

With the artist 

Dinner back up on the rooftop restaurant and an early night, the last few days have been pretty full on.

Day 250, Udaipur, India

Views at the Palace 

Woke up to the news of an earthquake in Christchurch, but fortunately everyone is alright.

Last night's celebrations were so full on; the bride and groom performed a very well choreographed dance routine, there was an Indian Idol finalist singing, lots of dancing.

The Indians are very spontaneous and will break out singing and dancing at any given time and not just for 5 minutes! We get invited to join everything, they'll come and drag us into the dancing circle, showing us what to do and explaining along the way.

Silk scarves presented at breakfast 

The breakfast room was full of red heart shaped balloons this morning and a red rose had been delivered to our room inviting us to breakfast.

This morning was the 'Haldi', where guests put a turmeric paste on the brides face, legs and arms. The paste serves as a cleanser for the body and soul and signifies the bride's preparation and welcoming into adult married life. The bride was sitting on a beautifully decorated huge swing for this. 

The Haldi ceremony 

Next time for lunch, another drive back into Udaipur and back. On the way we casually came across an elephant standing on the road, but apparently it is involved in the wedding procession tonight.

Finally back at 5.15 which gave us just a little time to get glammed up for this evenings big event, the actual marriage vows.

Ready at 6.30 as told to be, we all met by the pool, but we should have known it is India Flexi time, which means no one else is ready apart from us westerners, haha! We all still pinch ourselves to have been invited and involved in this wedding; it is absolutely glamour at its peak. Without being crass, the cost of the wedding would have bought a nice 4 bedroom home in Christchurch! 

With the other Melbournites

First a 'turban' session, where all men get fitted with a turban; the grooms side were cream and burgundy, the bride pink. And then it was time to escort the groom to the wedding, with a lot of music, guests of honour on elephants and the groom on a carriage drawn by 4 horses. The whole procession took about an hour and a half, with much dancing and laughter, money thrown around and elephants getting skittish with guns even being fired.

Horse drawn carriage 

We finally sat down for dinner at about 10.15, and the actual wedding ceremony is yet to happen.

Day 249, Udaipur , India

In the Palace

And the wedding celebrations have begun!

We checked out early this morning from our guesthouse in downtown Udaipur and taxied to RAAS Devigarh, a 250 year old fort Palace whose interior has been transformed into a 5 star luxury resort.

Our beautiful room

And this is where we have been accommodated as guests of the groom for the next two nights. Arrival was lovely, musicians sitting playing traditional Indian music, rose petals thrown from a little hidden balcony to scatter over our heads, refreshing cloths and a cold drink. Before check in there was breakfast and a tour of the Palace. It absolutely beautiful, so tastefully restored, with views over the valleys below. Only 36 rooms, so we are very fortunate to be staying here.

Little lad watching the drummer 

We met another dozen people who have also come from Melbourne for the wedding.

Next a trip back into Udaipur for lunch at the Raddison Hotel, where again we were welcomed with music, a bindi placed on our foreheads and then the dancing started; the ladies first, some indian ladies showing us how to and then the men joined in! So much fun to watch them, all really good and unselfconscious. 

Shanna and I keep pinching ourselves, saying wow, how lucky we are to be invited and to be part of this. Everything is just so, there's a wedding planner running around ushering us to and fro, ensuring everything is fine.

The party has started

Back again to the Palace (about 45 minutes on a private bus) and then we had a chance to enjoy our gorgeous room for a while; snack basket delivered, fruit, marble bathroom.

All glammed up

When all dressed and glamorous we went down to the pool party and later another party on the front lawn. Music is loud, dancing is enthusiastic and I must say that Indian men dance a lot better the average Kiwi. The women get right into it too, so when asked to come up and join the dancing I did.

The Palace lit up at night

The Palace is beautifully lit up in the evening and so pleasant just to walk around and admire.

Day 248, Udaipur, India

Looking over the lake 

Today we explored some of Udaipur. First up was the beautiful City Palace.

The city Palace was built concurrently with establishment of the Udaipur city by Maharana Udaipur Singh, in 1553 and his successor Maharanas over a period of the next 300 years. It is considered the largest royal complex in Rajasthan and is full with history. It provided lovely views over the city and we spent a happy hour and a bit there. Next we were on a mission as I needed a white singlet for under my dress and Shanna also needed an undergarment. So we found a wee place that sold what I needed. And I mean wee. It can't have been more than a metre wide and about 4 metres deep, stay full with boxes. I came armed with a photo of what I needed and he straight away found the box revealing my simple white singlet. Bless his socks, I bought two as he was so genuinely helpful.

View from the Palace

Next he pointed Shanna in the right direction for her bra. A shop two doors down of very much the same dimensions, and another helpful man. Yes, he found one for her, again in a box ( no luxurious racks of bras to browse through, no pun intended).

62 and proud of it

Simple but cheap, $2.20, yes that one will do. Anyway, that's when he got chatting. 'Guess how old I am!' Shanna and I guessed about mid forties, being a little generous. 'No, 62!' And he was chuckling away, then had to show us pictures of his daughters and grandson. I asked if owning a shop selling bras kept him young, oh yes definitely he said! He was a real flirt, but so much fun, and we had a good laugh with him.

Next we went on a bit if a cruise around the lake on a boat, just 45 minutes but nice to be on the water and seeing the town from the lake.

Part of the Palace 

We had decided we wanted henna done for the wedding and asked our host here if he could recommend a good one. He organised it for us and one of the lads walked us down the road, a wee alleyway and there we were. A young woman, in a simple room, no other furniture than a bed, wardrobe, chair. The room was 2.5 by 2.5 metres and clearly where she and her husband lived. She did the loveliest job while her husband, who spoke English, translated and explained where and how she learned the art. She charged the tiny sum of $3.30 each. At one stage we spotted a cow in the house across the road! And as we came out and stood and admired our painted hands, a little boy called hello from the upstairs window across the alley and his mum complimented us as well. Such lovely warm people.