We were early up, called our driver en left a half hour earlier for Jodhpur. Because of the elections in the Netherlands we talked a lot about politics in the backseat of the car. I am still concerned what the result might become. But it will be around 3:30 before first counting come in. Won’t wait for that, shall see it in the morning.
Hoped we could have stopped in Pushkar today for the Brahma temple and the ghats, but it already was a long drive. After passing all those toll ports (how much can you put on one road?) the changing landscape took our attention. From green fields, to rocks and almost dessert. Saw sheep and goats and some kind of deer walking around, but couldn’t spot any feed for them.
For our Homestay we only had the township, no address. With some checks we found it. What a impressive house! Definitely more luxury than we need. Also a special family, with some royal ties. Using the hottest hours of the day for some refreshment, in the late afternoon we went into town, the old city center with the clocktower. Strolled through the markets (actually, after 10 days our first real visit to a bazar!). Everytime, again, it’s amazes me, how much stuff one can sell and buy, some with use, but much more with any real value. The cows in between, dogs along the side. In the other cities, it mostly were men selling the trade. Here, for the first time, I saw al lot of women with their own booth. Back in Jaipur also children sold products. On the market here, basically all the women had small children with them, but saw no children with their own trade. Went in a governmental store, which claimed to support local crafts and nomad’s trade. Hoop, they really do.
Nearby, their is a rooftop restaurant, with a nice view to the fort and over the buzzing town. And yet, once again, the contradictions couldn’t be bigger. Sitting there and enjoying the luxury and underneath you see baggers and disabled people trying to find just a bite. With some 20m away stray dogs cleaning the wasted plates of a minor wok stand.
Heading back towards the clocktower, we had a nice chat with a seller of spices. Tasted some special tea made of cardamon, cinnamon and saffron. Got a regional curry.