Two girls and one trip!
- Siddiqha Naseem
- Apr 16, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 7, 2019
Do you have a friend with whom you have imagined all your adventures, wedding ideas, double dates, so much so that you also know what to talk on each other’s funeral? Well, only few friendships make it that far, and I’m glad I found one of that kind. .
When someone talks about friends, school or college, inevitably she pops up on my mind and I recollect all our plans and memories made together. Adding to such memory is this one amazing trip we would reminisce for years to come.
With a late-night conversation on carping routines, we vaguely planned for a trip to Jaipur. Am glad we didn't plan Goa, cause just by saying the name the plan flops. Am sure you can relate! Anyway, Jaipur because we are two history and culture enthusiasts. We are the two back-benchers who would tear the french textbook pages and hide it in our socks to copy in the exams but can replicate an exact version of our history books. Such is love for the glory of Indian history.
We booked our flight tickets 2 months prior to the trip. We did not know how far this is going to go but somehow I felt that booking the ticket would not cancel the trip. Hence started our 5 day trip to Rajasthan.
On the 29th of march around 8:30 in the morning, we were headed in the car to the airport. The setting was as such, my best friend was sitting in the front next to the driver and I was sitting with her mum behind. When we were 10 minutes to the airport, she is slowly turned behind and looked me in the eye, I saw her blank face was beginning to perceive the smile curve. "Hold it right there we haven't boarded yet!" I said trying to control my joy as well. We both giggled when Amma asked what it was. We explained to her that whenever we get excited about going somewhere, the plan somehow fails. This time we didn't want to take a chance and held our shit together. Immediately we all broke into a burst of laughter.
With a veg puff for her and a hot cup coffee for myself we boarded the Indigo at 10:55 a.m. The first thing we did when we settled down, we gave out a soft screech and held our hands together and just couldn't control our excitement. The flight took off and we both fell asleep. 10 minutes to our landing we experienced the gravest imbalance, which in the pilot's term was mild turbulence.
With bad nausea, we stepped onto the grounds of Jaipur. With all the excitement that you just read above one may think, these girls must have jumped and run around the airport as if they have just been to earth. But the truth is, we immediately wanted to get in the aircraft and fly back to Chennai. We could feel the sun reaching out to our souls and sucking out our energy with a straw, like the old Rasna ads. It was 40 degrees and we knew we were stuck in this desert for five whole days.
I think it is natural for any girl to be cautious and slightly freak out when a stranger starts talking. As soon as we board the cab to the hotel, the driver started to quiz us about where we were from. As such the first cab journeys in another city are not my favourite experiences, the first one being Mumbai (which i will write sometime) and this the second. The cab driver further takes the pleasure to you give us transit tour guide explanations. With the scorching heat and a little bit of fear, listening to him is the last thing we wanted.
To end this misfortunate conversation the cab arrived at the hotel. We quickly filled in the hotel forms and were lead to our room by the receptionist. It was a decent room with a huge pair of curtains behind which we thought was a wonderful view. As fate loves to disappoint us, it was a huge building.
As soon as we came, we first got our transport sorted. We hired a bike from Rental Wheels. All you need is a driving license and an adhaar. They charge you 500 a day for an activa, but if you hire for more than three days it's 400 per day.
A ride around the city:
We took a ride around the city only to be completely smitten by the heritage.
Meeting the roots:
After an hour's rest at the hotel, at dusk, we spent the first evening soaking in some Rajasthani culture. Our hotel staff were kind enough to introduce us to an amazing puppet show and traditional folk dance by the poolside.
Jawahar Circle:
The next day we visited Jawahar circle. It is known to be Asia's largest circle. Basically a park, this place has nothing but trees and shades. The entrance however, has a long corridor with beautiful wall art.
The Patrika Gate:
The beautifully painted corridor in the entrance of Jawahar circle is called the Patrika Gate. Patrika gate has almost everything about the vibrant culture of Rajasthan. Each and every pillar is portrays some of the state.
Hand paintings of temples, palaces, culture, commoners, forts, portraits of Jaipur rulers, blue pottery, jewelry, photographs of Amer, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jal Mahal are found here to give a glimpse of the entire history of Jaipur.
We then continued our journey towards Hawa Mahal. Although it was exciting. we were slowed down by the tremendous heat. The 40 mins ride felt never-ending.
The Hawa Mahal:
I remember casually crossing this shop in Amer Fort, Jaipur. It was just another antique shops and I walk past it. Perfectly dressed with those shades on point and a classic hat, this man sat still like a mannequin. Not until he called out to me did I realize he was actually a real person. "Would you like to take back some exquisite antiques home?" he asked. " No, but shall I take a picture of you?" I replied.
All the stepwells have their own beauty and charm, but this one is different as it is very less populated compared to other ones. The guards told us that the beauty of the place can be best seen during the rainy season.
If you could bear with scorching 40 C weather, you could admire the unique concept of styling. It’s an eight-story staircase pool and looks extremely pleasant. The main attraction of the plain is its symmetrical step walls. Pieces of Octagonal shaped are used in the core of the Kund and terrace on two floors. The stairs are in a zigzag geometrical pattern which leaves the visitors charmed.
The Sheesh Mahal:
Can you think of building a palace just for winters? This mirror palace was built by King Man Singh, in 16th century, for his two special queens, especially to keep them cosy during winters. The replica of this palace is the one we see Anarkali twirling under in Mugal-e-azam, making thousands of reflections on all the mirrors.
Rajasthani Thali:
All together Jaipur was a trip of history and heritage. If only the climate was mild, it would have been just perfect.
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