Gandi's birthday is a public holiday which gave us a long weekend so I headed up to Jodhpur to explore. It sits on the edge of the Thar desert in the state of Rajasthan in the northwest of India. The city draws merchants for it's textiles, jewelry, furniture, and spices - most notably saffron at just $2 USD a gram! Jodhpur is also famous for having invented polo and the jodhpur pants, at one time they had the best polo team in the world.
Most of the markets are filled with 'commission monkeys', as I like to call them. The lurk outside hotels and hostels and offer to take tourists to the 'best' shops for spices, jewelry, textiles, whatever. They nag and nag and nag until you either give in or firmly tell them off. If they get you to a shop, the prices are then hiked up by the shop owner who is harassed by your 'guide' for his 'commission' for bringing in customers - even if the shop owner wasn't in on the 'plan'. It's a total racket.
The city boasts several markets and an imposing fortress overlooking the city. Most buildings are made of sandstone decorated with intricate designs, most notably windows etched into complicated lattice that enables the breeze, but not the sun to enter, and preventing outsiders from looking in while those inside are able to see out. 
Most of the markets are filled with 'commission monkeys', as I like to call them. The lurk outside hotels and hostels and offer to take tourists to the 'best' shops for spices, jewelry, textiles, whatever. They nag and nag and nag until you either give in or firmly tell them off. If they get you to a shop, the prices are then hiked up by the shop owner who is harassed by your 'guide' for his 'commission' for bringing in customers - even if the shop owner wasn't in on the 'plan'. It's a total racket.
The city boasts several markets and an imposing fortress overlooking the city. Most buildings are made of sandstone decorated with intricate designs, most notably windows etched into complicated lattice that enables the breeze, but not the sun to enter, and preventing outsiders from looking in while those inside are able to see out. 
thanks for the tour... i insist, if it is here where the fabric stores are, then you need to pay another visit and load yourself with "goodies" before you head back to the western hemisphere at some point.
ReplyDeleteNice pics Kal!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine the feeling and scents of walking on the streets and attempting to integrate as local as you can get... local, considering your evident Greek looks! hahaha
I love the picture with the cow in the front center. So many amazing things in that photo. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHello Kaleroy,
ReplyDeleteStill living large as always, great to see someone still living the life of an international teacher. Cheers...Terry