 |
| REST STATION FOR PILGRIMS |
 |
| PILGRIMS |
 |
| MONKEYS |
 |
| TRUCK TAILGATE |
 |
| BARBER IN PINK CITY |
 |
| BLACK MARBLE ENLAID ON WHITE MARBLE |
 |
| BLOCK PRINTING |
 |
 |
| FLOWERS |
 |
| CAMEL CART |
 |
| HOTEL LOBBY |
 |
| DANCERS |
 |
| ELEPHANT |
 |
| SHEER HAPPINESS |
 |
| HOME FOR THE DAY |
 |
| JEWELER'S LAMP |
 |
| NEWLY WEDS |
 |
| TRADITIONAL VS MODERN DRESS |
 |
| FRINGING RUGS |
 |
| TORCHING RUG |
 |
| KNOTTING RUG |
 |
| SPINNING YARN |
 |
| CHARMING COBRAS |
 |
| SHEER ENJOYMENT |
 |
| 300 YEAR-OLD STAIN GLASS |
Thursday we toured Delhi visiting many of the most famous sites both ancient and modern. Friday we had an equally interesting tour as we traveled seven hours by car from Delhi to Jaipur. Our driver was so very informative and kind slowing down for pictures at the most opportune times and explaining the traditions and culture along the way.
Saturday we toured Jaipur, the second capitol of the Hindi regime, with an excellent guide! He took us through the pink city which was first painted pink for the visit of Prince Albert. Every tenth year they refurbish the city façade and repaint it taking 10,000 workers six months to compete. It is all pink with white trim. Then we traveled through the gorge to the Amber City on elephant back. The city was the original home of the royals here in Jaipur dating 300 years before the Pink City. Its facades are mostly amber in color and it lies in a valley surrounded by mountains. The mountaintop wall surrounding the city stretches for miles and miles. The airconditioning system of the kings kept them cool in the summer months while the mirrors of the winter home reflected light in the day and candles at night helping to warm them from the cold.
We toured the royal palace near the end of the day, but only after visiting the scientifically astounding astronomers’ haven! The three hundred year old instruments were used to tell time and position of celestial bodies. It was amazing to see how much the ancients have been able to accomplish during the eighteen generations of Hindi rajas. In the palace we found a newlywed couple and watched local dancers preparing for harvest festival of colors coming on March 8th.
During the day we also visited several artisan’s workshops where we were able to witness the age-old art of wood block printing, rug knotting, gem cutting and painting on silk, rice paper and cottons.
Today the colors of India amazed and thrilled us as we drove the streets and walked the trails of the ages.
No comments:
Post a Comment