Expat life in Jaipur

tallguy

Hi All,
I may be heading to Jaipur on contract for a lenghty period, and would like to get some information about expatriate life and the availability of European goods.
I understand that it is a fairly big city with a large amount of international travellers, but besides all the tourist info, I could obtain very little about life in Jaipur.
Do westernized department stores and supermarkets exist? What about international newspapers and magazines? Are there any bars, pubs or discos? What kind of international clubs and organizations are there? How reliable is the postal system in India in general?
Not to be misunderstood, I certainly will blend into the local life style as much as possible and enjoy it , but it is nice to know what you can get and how much support you need to organize from back "home".

Any first-hand information or infos about links and websites is highly appreciated.

Thanks,

andy

wonderwomanusa

You might be able to get the International Herald Tribune in Jaipur.

The postal system varies from place to place. If you mail letters, you must go to the post office and watch the clerk hand cancel the stamps -- otherwise someone will steal the stamps. Areogrammes can be mailed from a postbox on the street and will get to where they are going. Packages have to be sewn in cloth and sealed with sealing wax for seamail -- or you can always send them by DHL. If anyone sends you cash in a letter, you will never get it.

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The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

steven_ber

I know a great pool hall in Jaipur, I will search for the address if your interested.

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How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions.



Train information.

archits

andy....just come and then decide for yourself.... nobody can answer that for you !

however, yes, i would also be anxious as you are , so good luck with the answers and also a very happy stay in jaipur to you. you get a chance to see one of india's states that has a lot of history !

Lily

Andy,

Your easy questions first:

Jaipur does have supermarkets and department stores though not quite on the same scale as what you are used to in Canada (We lived in Guelph for a couple of months). Western goods are available and you will find stores that stock imported preserves, cheese, and even fruit! You can request any of the large book shops for internaional papers and they will probably organise it or you. The popular magazines are available in most book shops.

Pubs, Bars and Discos - Except for the odd bars - there is a Jeffreys in one of the hotels - in the five star hotels, there is not much by way of night life here. But Delhi is only a few hours drive from here and has plenty to offer.

International Organisations - I do not think you mean Rotary Club or the Lions Club - these are very active in most Indian cities. If you a member already, you might find it interesting to attend a meeting. Otherwise Jaipur does not have a large expat community; maybe some in the ADB projects and a few in Education.

I will be happy to answer any specific questions you may have, and once you are here you are most welcome to drop in for a chat, and a drink!

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Lily

picklepak

I can't speak to most of your points, but I can say that the post office in Jaipur is surprisingly efficient and modernized. When you send a package, instead of having to glue on several dozen stamps along the top and down the sides, they use postal meters. You still have to get packages stitched up in cloth but there are many places nearby to have it done, and for cheap.

Lily

I forgot to mention in my last post that in our experience the postal system in India is highy reliable. We have received packages from abroad containing small gifts (perfumes, gloves, key chains - items that can be easily pilfered) and have yet to find anything missing (touchwood?!)

The Post office even offers a stitching service at a nominal cost of INR 10/- per small package!

The only precaution I can suggest is to post your packages at the post office itself!

tallguy

Thanks to all of you for the quick responses, they are highly appreciated!!
I pretty much get the picture about the post, I was worried more about receiving rather than sending.

-Steven: I do shot pool occasionally, where's the hall?

-Archits: I am not that anxious, I just want to be prepared. I heard tons of good stuff about Jaipur and we surely will enjoy it!

-Lily: Should we head into your direction, we'd be glad to meet for a get-together one day.
Right, I did not mean the Rotarians in particular, but more casual gatherings like special pub nites.

Regards to all,

andy

steven_ber

The place I played Pool at is called Snoopi.

The place had about 6 tables for snooker and pool, its air-conditioned, has internet access and serves good food.

The pool was Rs60 an hour (Jan 2002) and open all day till 11PM, it had a good atmosphere and I got no hassle from touts/locals if fact I always had a great time there. (I used to go there alone and they was never a shortage of people to play)

You can get alcohol there, though they probably 'send the boy' for it as I’m not sure if they have it on the premises.

If your good at pool they will keep finding better players to play (even if they have to phone them to come to the place).

The local telephone number is 2370696. (I think)

The address is e-32 kamla marg, click on the following map it has not got kamla marg on it, it is a side street running south off Mirza Ismail Marg, somewhere between the numbers 8 and 12.

Local map of Jaipur City Centre

tallguy

Thanks, Steven! I'll keep you up to date about the joint.

Regards,

andy

archits

keep us posted andy after u reach jaipur !