We're back (and it was fantastic) high points of Rajahstan.

KarinaM · Mar 3rd, 2004, 07:20

Well we're back, and we had a wonderful time! Me and 11 year old daughter who never once had to cry on demand, were never hassled (one rather depressing advantage of hitting middle age I suspect). We did it all - overnight train ride with the world's noisiest snorers who wanted to know to the nearest rupee what our trip had cost; 5 hour 'taxi' ride into the middle of the desert, night time jeep trip to some godforsaken railway station ala Lawrernce of Arabia, and an unforgettable visit to a village girls school where my daughter really got to appreciate how the other half (two thirds? seven eighths?) lives. Priceless as they say.

Practical highlights - seamless booking of train tickets via the internet; hotel Udai Kothi in Udaipur - best mattresses in Rajahstan, very cordial staff, lovely decor. Not very intersting food, but the atmosphere made up for it; hotel Rohet Garh outside of Jodhpur - fantastic visit to Bishnoi villages with a knowledgable (if pedantic) guide. Hotel Jasvilas in Jaipur, much recommended here to which we can only add our heartfelt endorsement. Great home cooked food, fabulously hospitable hosts (Mahendra and Karan) who had loads of good recommendations about places to visit and to shop, and who even ferried us to the movies when there was an inexplicable shortage of taxis. Made my daugher feel right at home. Don't miss it! The weather was perfect, no mosquitos, but most of all the people were so kind and charming. Were we lucky? I don't know - we definitely need to go back to check!

rab · Mar 3rd, 2004, 07:32

Looking ofrward to seeing some of your photos in the gallery. Why not start off by posting one in the "This is me / this is us in India!" thread?

rab

indiamike · Mar 3rd, 2004, 07:35

Quote:

Originally posted by KarinaM
Me and 11 year old daughter who never once had to cry on demand, were never hassled (one rather depressing advantage of hitting middle age I suspect).

LOL....Great Post. Cry on demand

I agree the hassles stop as you get older which I think is good.

Thanks for the follow up I really enjoyed reading it.

Mike

SHIMLA · Mar 3rd, 2004, 07:58

Quote:

Originally posted by indiamike
I agree the hassles stop as you get older which I think is good.

What is good mike: the hassles stopping or getting older?

indiamike · Mar 3rd, 2004, 08:13

The hassles stopping. I am not a big fan of getting older.

LuAnnandJawahar · Mar 3rd, 2004, 20:22

Many mature women will tell you that they get propositioned constantly and are often suprised that their age offers no insulation, even from 20-something year old boys! And we are thinking of India here--but perhaps it's true all over.

KarinaM · Mar 4th, 2004, 01:29

Thanks Namaste Indian tours, that's made me feel a lot better

. Actually for whatever reason (the two heads? the six toes? the beard?) I've never been plagued with unwanted overtures even when I hitched round the Middle East as an 18 year old, whereas other people I met couldn't go outside without attracting a swarm. I suppose its the vibes you put out (or the thick skin) but but I'm not complaining - its made traveling more relaxing over the years. As for your tout types I always try to have the attitude that at some level they're only trying to make a living, some more successfully than others. For instance when we arrived at the station in Udaipur we ended up with Saleem who gave us an impromptu tour on the way to the hotel and then lurked around outside to get our business later during the day. He was so creative about it you had to smile. whereas when we got to the station in Jaipur one of your real pushy types tried to physically herd us into his auto and then complained that by politely declining we were showing how much we didn't like poor people. Not a big future in PR for that one I fear.

Mar 3rd, 2004, 07:20	#1
KarinaM Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boston US Posts: 19	We're back (and it was fantastic) high points of Rajahstan. Well we're back, and we had a wonderful time! Me and 11 year old daughter who never once had to cry on demand, were never hassled (one rather depressing advantage of hitting middle age I suspect). We did it all - overnight train ride with the world's noisiest snorers who wanted to know to the nearest rupee what our trip had cost; 5 hour 'taxi' ride into the middle of the desert, night time jeep trip to some godforsaken railway station ala Lawrernce of Arabia, and an unforgettable visit to a village girls school where my daughter really got to appreciate how the other half (two thirds? seven eighths?) lives. Priceless as they say. Practical highlights - seamless booking of train tickets via the internet; hotel Udai Kothi in Udaipur - best mattresses in Rajahstan, very cordial staff, lovely decor. Not very intersting food, but the atmosphere made up for it; hotel Rohet Garh outside of Jodhpur - fantastic visit to Bishnoi villages with a knowledgable (if pedantic) guide. Hotel Jasvilas in Jaipur, much recommended here to which we can only add our heartfelt endorsement. Great home cooked food, fabulously hospitable hosts (Mahendra and Karan) who had loads of good recommendations about places to visit and to shop, and who even ferried us to the movies when there was an inexplicable shortage of taxis. Made my daugher feel right at home. Don't miss it! The weather was perfect, no mosquitos, but most of all the people were so kind and charming. Were we lucky? I don't know - we definitely need to go back to check!

Mar 3rd, 2004, 20:22	#6
LuAnnandJawahar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Delhi/U.S. Posts: 664	Many mature women will tell you that they get propositioned constantly and are often suprised that their age offers no insulation, even from 20-something year old boys! And we are thinking of India here--but perhaps it's true all over. __________________ Reject violence.

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Mar 3rd, 2004, 07:32	#2
rab Honorary Mod Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: McLaren Vale, South Australia Posts: 1,216	Looking ofrward to seeing some of your photos in the gallery. Why not start off by posting one in the "This is me / this is us in India!" thread? rab

Mar 3rd, 2004, 08:13	#5
indiamike Retired Admin Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: New Joisey for now Posts: 1,759	The hassles stopping. I am not a big fan of getting older.

Mar 4th, 2004, 01:29	#7
KarinaM Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boston US Posts: 19	Thanks Namaste Indian tours, that's made me feel a lot better . Actually for whatever reason (the two heads? the six toes? the beard?) I've never been plagued with unwanted overtures even when I hitched round the Middle East as an 18 year old, whereas other people I met couldn't go outside without attracting a swarm. I suppose its the vibes you put out (or the thick skin) but but I'm not complaining - its made traveling more relaxing over the years. As for your tout types I always try to have the attitude that at some level they're only trying to make a living, some more successfully than others. For instance when we arrived at the station in Udaipur we ended up with Saleem who gave us an impromptu tour on the way to the hotel and then lurked around outside to get our business later during the day. He was so creative about it you had to smile. whereas when we got to the station in Jaipur one of your real pushy types tried to physically herd us into his auto and then complained that by politely declining we were showing how much we didn't like poor people. Not a big future in PR for that one I fear.

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