Ranakpur 2 October 2024

Hello! Or maybe I should say Namaste 🙏
I don’t know where to begin. It’s been over a week since I wrote to you, but it feels like several months. When I get home, we must meet so I can tell you more. If I were to write everything down, my letter would be as thick as a book.

After my first night, I made another attempt to take a walk around the area. This time, the dogs lay still, panting in the heat, and weren’t interested in me at all. I passed the food stand, which was much quieter during the morning than during my nighttime visit. I zig-zagged between garbage and large holes in the street. I listened, smelled, and took in the atmosphere. I soon reached a bigger street and started to see if it was possible to cross. I didn’t have to wait long before a man approached me and offered his help.

My idea was to sit somewhere, eat breakfast, and just observe the city and its people. But solitude doesn’t seem to exist here. Instead, people talk to each other, offer masala chai, or a bottle of water. Despite the hectic life, no one seems stressed.
Back to the helpful man, Naresh. Since I had already made a conscious decision at home to let go of planning and see where life would take me, I let Naresh show me Delhi. We ate at some small alley, wandered among street vendors, looked at beautiful fabrics in a seamstress’s shop called Vidanta. We rode the metro and had a wild ride with Ravi and his rickshaw. We visited the Akshardham temple, beautifully adorned (though no cameras allowed), and we even ended up at a travel agency.
When we left the travel agency, Amit, the guy at the agency, had sold me a 2-week tour of Rajasthan. 

Well, there you go. So far from what I had planned, but I think it will be good. I’d better head back to the hotel room to pack. I was kindly allowed to leave one of my suitcases at the travel agency’s office. Shortly after 6 a.m. the next morning, Raj, my taxi driver and companion for the next few weeks, picked me up. The destination for the day was Jaipur—3 nights there, then onwards to Jodhpur for 2 nights, and right now we are in Ranakpur, a small village at the foot of the Aravalli mountain range.
It’s been temples, forts, museums, rug makers, jewelers, spice shops, markets, but most of all, so many encounters with people. Ann—there are so many stories surrounding each event and meeting. Like when we ate takeout at the spice shop... We really have to meet so I can tell you everything.

Back to Ranakpur. Today I’ve taken a break from all the sightseeing. The AC in the car and the hotel room is wonderful, but the heat still makes me long to swim. On short notice, Amit—you know, the guy from the travel agency—arranged a nice hotel here in Ranakpur. So grateful! I’m enjoying the pool and at the same time trying to gather all my impressions and experiences. I think this break was much needed.
So how’s it going? I mean, with accessibility, toilets, and stomach issues. So far, so good. I gratefully accept help when needed. If there’s a ramp, it’s steep. Many shops have stairs, but suddenly volunteers(?) appear to carry things. 

The metro had wheelchair signs, but with padlocks on the gates, it took a while to find someone with a key.
And so far, I’ve found toilets with a seat. Not just the traditional hole in the floor. And my stomach has been fine. It rumbled worryingly once, and I felt it was a good time to head back to the hotel room. Naturally, it was also then that I had to struggle to get into a rickshaw for the first time. Perhaps not the best timing. But I made it to the room in time.

Traveling around with my own driver is hardly something I’m used to, but I think it’s been very good in this case. Raj knows what kind of help I need and when I manage best on my own. He handles all the talking with hotel staff, museum workers, etc. He knows where it’s good to stop for food and where the toilets are clean. So, all in all, it’s probably money well spent.

Now I have to go because apparently, we’re going on safari 😃

I’ll check in again in a week!
//Kristina