Jodhpur, the blue city, home of one of the largest fort in Rajasthan and namesake of those stupid riding britches warn by the british aristocracy... Who would have thought it? But the Maharajas of Jodhpur were have always been keen polo player. The crown prince is still captain of the Jodhpur Polo Team.
But one thing at a time...
Yesterday evening Mieke and I had a rooftop dinner at Little Tibet (thank you Ellie, yes we did eat the momos) and returned to our little Paying Guesthouse, Ishar Palace. We sat and listened to Little Jonny's new Bangra tape in the room that he shares with his boss and the little boy who does all the cooking and I exchanged my watch for his, he was admiring mine so much.
What different lives they lead! Jonny is 19 and went to the village school for 8 months before he was expected to go into farming. He wished to learn English and so was adopted by the owner of Ishar Palace where he has been working hard for the past 5 years. He sees his parents little more than once a year, although they live in a village outside of Jaisalmere.
We retired to our very run down room, once the bedroom of the 19th Century Prime minister, set our alarms and slept the sleep of those who spent the previous night out in the desert.
Up early and onto a bus that rattled across the desert towards the rising sun and Jodhpur.
A hectic town after the tranquility of Jaisalmer, we bartered with an auto, avoided the hotel touts and checked into Hare Krishna Guesthouse, recommended to us by our friends at Ishar Palace.
We then set off through the winding narrow blue streets to explore Meherangarh, the huge fort built into the side of the hill towering over the town.
Another remarkable place, again the intricate carvings and cool courtyards calmly asserting the grandeur and authority of the Rathores. More turbulent history, although they profited from the willingness of the Mughals to associate with them peacefully. Shah Jehan's mother was a Rathor princess.
You can see how Rajasthan (Land of Kings) got its name. The forts and palaces erected by these proud people and the richness of their culture is apparent everywhere.
When I finally manage to find an internet cafe capable of uploading photographs I will be able to illustrate all of this!
Until then you'll just have to take my word for it.
Time almost for a cold drink on our shady roof... x