It seems strange to be somewhere that is not completely flat, after getting used to the plains around Delhi. Jaipur is surrounded by dry rocky hills- often with very dead trees. It hasn’t rained here for 10 years, lakes have dried up and bore holes have to go down 400 feet. Lakes have been drained to provide water. There are more camels and fewer cows in the streets.
It is also a calmer city, even if it stll has about 3 million people in it!
Riding on an elephant today was a frst! having spent last week painting murals of Elmer on the walls of the community centre all last week, it was appropriate to ride on a real elephant! The elephants had painted faces, in bright colours. We had to go on top of a wall, then clamber across onto the seat. We set off up the elephant ramp to the Amber Fort. Our elephant seemed to rather slow as the others steadily overtook us. It lumbered slowly up the hill, swaying from side to side. We have photo evidence!
the one photo I wish I had was of our arrival in Jaipur. All of us crammed in 4 auto-rickshaws with luggage! I ended up more or less sitting on the handlebars of the rickshaw, hanging half out the door- OK until the driver wanted to turn left! Dick was in the back of the one in front, trying to hang on to 3 large suitcases, without falling out! very like dodgems!
PS Hi to all of you now at home!
haha! Love the picture you drew of the rickshaw ride- excellent! blessings Coralie
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