India is unique in so many levels. One of them is the liveliness and constant vibrance that grabs attention wherever one is. Colors, people, foods, smells, sounds, animals, buildings, all lure one’s gaze and awareness in all directions, that by the end of each day, I was dead tired. For good and bad. Not all images are jolly, not all scents are roses. Yet, all those make India a photographer’s heaven, as wherever the eye blinks, it blinks a postcard.
It was nice to take our time and walk around, sometimes sit and watch, and imagine, while listening to the audio tour in Jodhpur’s Maharaja’s palace.
Entering Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
You can see how grand life was, back in the days, if you were the Maharaja, of course.
Inside the walls of the Maharaja’s palace, Jodhpur
They don’t call Jodhpur “The Blue City” for nothin’. Indeed, it’s a spectacular view from Mehrangarh Fort, high above the city’s slopes.
The Blue City, Jodhpur
And, like any other city that prides itself, Jodhpur, too, can boast a busy, find-it-all market, with anything from saris, to spices and tea, with cows roaming between stalls, and sweet chai being offered for a few cents.
Sardar Market, around the clocktower, Jodhpur
Of course we had to buy tea, lots of it. And saffron, not so much…
By the end of that long day, we could peacefully go on and drive to our lodging for the night, in Chandelao. When I reserved the spot online, some months before, I wasn’t aware of two things:
One- it was damn far from Jodhpur, in the middle of nowhere. We arrived so late at night after a few wrong turns and endless driving. What was I thinking?
Two- what a quiet, tranquil place, located in a tiny cheerful village, where my kids interacted with the local kids, who hardly knew any English. The haveli where we slept was old and charming. I guess I knew exactly what I wanted when ordering online.
detail of Chandelao Garh, our Haveli in Chandelao village
grand entrance to Chandelao Garh
The best part: mingling with the locals, especially the kids, giggles and all.
bike riding with the local kids
Watching daily life
Beautiful girl drawing water
One of my favorites: Lior teaching the kids how to whistle with their hands
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