12.9.12 - Udaipur to Jodhpur
After a few more nights in Udaipur I have decided to move on! I had a great time in Udaipur and already wonder why I left. Being at the beginning of my adventure, I'm not quite ready to settle down I guess. I will explore more and hope to find myself back there soon. I drank a lot of beer which I hadn't planned on, ate some amazing mutton and chicken dishes along with the best garlic naan I've ever had, made some friends, but did a lot of walking although I missed many of the city's sight seeing highlights. I'm okay with that though.
I took a 2:00pm bus to Jodhpur today, which really wasn't so bad. It ended up being about 7 hours, and now I know the difference between chair class, single sleeper and double sleeper. I had requested a chair, but the guy said sleeper is way more comfortable because you can lie down and relax, but the reality is that it is a tiny holding cell with little room to move, and although I am still pretty short, my head hits the top and I can't see out of the windows. I ended up sleeping for part of it with the windows open, waking up at a short stop to dirt all over my face. The views were beautiful during sunset and after the sun went down. I felt like I was on a real adventure, out on the road again! We stopped once for a chai break where I ate some pakora (fried miscellaneous vegetables, and small grilled peppers that the small boy was hesitant to give me, being that I'm a tourist). I have arrived at the hotel that was arranged by a friend, and not too bad for $6 USD, but leaves something to be imagined. But these are the kind of things that make me laugh in India, all of the misunderstandings and usually me ending up being confused: Hotel guy asks me if I am hungry, and I say yes it has been a long day and I would like some chai and something else. I ask him if the kitchen is open and he says of course, this is India. After checking in I go to the restaurant and order chai, and after it arrives I order a stuffed pepper. THey don't have that. OK, how about chicken? Nope. OK, is there something that you can make, I know it is late? Well not really, we don't store food at this restaurant, we take orders an hour or two early then go buy the food. So I can make a omelette or noodles now. Cool, I'll have noodles!!! But the confusion - this conversation took approximately 10 minutes, why didn't he just say that in the first place!?! Not a big deal, had some good noodles with tomatoes and garlic. By the way, I love the fact that I can eat garlic by the handfuls and nobody will judge me, or probably even notice.
Today I was also glad about the random crap that I am carrying around that I wasn't sure that I would ever use, like my Leatherman. Or my dad's Leatherman, actually. Cause things don't work in this hotel and it has saved my twice! And a flashlight. Somehow, sometimes I forget I am in India until the power goes out, or I run into a cow on the street, or until I have to use a squat toilet, while in my full gear of a backpack, a purse and a long scarf. Let's just say it's a little tricky, especially when there isn't a dry spot in the whole place to put anything down!
I can't believe I have already been in India for almost 4 weeks, and haven't been home in over 6 weeks. Time flies, that is for sure. In general I have no idea what day it is, how long I have been somewhere, how much longer I will stay. It's a weird way to live, actually. And Christmas is coming up, so before I left Udaipur I managed to send out some presents. Wonder if they will arrive in time.....
So.....Jodhpur is known as the Blue City, I will see why tomorrow! Well I know why, because most of the buildings are blue. But I can't wait to see it, as it was dark when I arrived. I busted out my traveler's Bible aka Lonely Planet book (although I'm a little embarrassed to be seen with it) to see that it doesn't mention Jodhpur much, even though it is Rajasthan's second largest city. Also a few Indians in Udaipur told me it is a bad city, and were worried that I would get scammed in some way. And that there is nothing to see here. Of course I will have to make up my own mind, but I hate that is even in my mind now. So far it has been welcoming, so I will see what lies ahead! One thing though - it is hard to downgrade after spending nights in such nice hotels and being spoiled!
I took a 2:00pm bus to Jodhpur today, which really wasn't so bad. It ended up being about 7 hours, and now I know the difference between chair class, single sleeper and double sleeper. I had requested a chair, but the guy said sleeper is way more comfortable because you can lie down and relax, but the reality is that it is a tiny holding cell with little room to move, and although I am still pretty short, my head hits the top and I can't see out of the windows. I ended up sleeping for part of it with the windows open, waking up at a short stop to dirt all over my face. The views were beautiful during sunset and after the sun went down. I felt like I was on a real adventure, out on the road again! We stopped once for a chai break where I ate some pakora (fried miscellaneous vegetables, and small grilled peppers that the small boy was hesitant to give me, being that I'm a tourist). I have arrived at the hotel that was arranged by a friend, and not too bad for $6 USD, but leaves something to be imagined. But these are the kind of things that make me laugh in India, all of the misunderstandings and usually me ending up being confused: Hotel guy asks me if I am hungry, and I say yes it has been a long day and I would like some chai and something else. I ask him if the kitchen is open and he says of course, this is India. After checking in I go to the restaurant and order chai, and after it arrives I order a stuffed pepper. THey don't have that. OK, how about chicken? Nope. OK, is there something that you can make, I know it is late? Well not really, we don't store food at this restaurant, we take orders an hour or two early then go buy the food. So I can make a omelette or noodles now. Cool, I'll have noodles!!! But the confusion - this conversation took approximately 10 minutes, why didn't he just say that in the first place!?! Not a big deal, had some good noodles with tomatoes and garlic. By the way, I love the fact that I can eat garlic by the handfuls and nobody will judge me, or probably even notice.
Today I was also glad about the random crap that I am carrying around that I wasn't sure that I would ever use, like my Leatherman. Or my dad's Leatherman, actually. Cause things don't work in this hotel and it has saved my twice! And a flashlight. Somehow, sometimes I forget I am in India until the power goes out, or I run into a cow on the street, or until I have to use a squat toilet, while in my full gear of a backpack, a purse and a long scarf. Let's just say it's a little tricky, especially when there isn't a dry spot in the whole place to put anything down!
I can't believe I have already been in India for almost 4 weeks, and haven't been home in over 6 weeks. Time flies, that is for sure. In general I have no idea what day it is, how long I have been somewhere, how much longer I will stay. It's a weird way to live, actually. And Christmas is coming up, so before I left Udaipur I managed to send out some presents. Wonder if they will arrive in time.....
So.....Jodhpur is known as the Blue City, I will see why tomorrow! Well I know why, because most of the buildings are blue. But I can't wait to see it, as it was dark when I arrived. I busted out my traveler's Bible aka Lonely Planet book (although I'm a little embarrassed to be seen with it) to see that it doesn't mention Jodhpur much, even though it is Rajasthan's second largest city. Also a few Indians in Udaipur told me it is a bad city, and were worried that I would get scammed in some way. And that there is nothing to see here. Of course I will have to make up my own mind, but I hate that is even in my mind now. So far it has been welcoming, so I will see what lies ahead! One thing though - it is hard to downgrade after spending nights in such nice hotels and being spoiled!
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