Already Jaipur is over...

15.05.18

Often in life, people surprise you and sometimes it's better to do take matters into your own hands. 

Fed up with drivers, I was finally brave enough to walk outside by myself. And I would also get exercise (much needed) and save myself a bucket load of money (by Indian standards). 

I donned a scarf around my head, wore a modest blouse and trousers, dark sunglasses, earphones and off I went. I looked like a lunatic, like a bikie fully dressed in the summer.

My first mission was to find the elusive food. Food I don't have to order from people with selected hearing. Food with a written price on it. Food with no dairy in it. Food that wasn't a yellow curry of some lentil / potato combination. Lo and behold the supermarket I found was there, despite previous attempts where Uber drivers tried to drop me in deserted alley ways.

I'm gonna be honest with you - I can't name a single customer service experience where someone hasn't tried to rip me off by now. Starting today from the kiosk outside the hotel (water was 20 INR yesterday and 50 today), even the Mekha Mart checkout person tried to tell me the price was 50 INR more than it should be, until I read the receipt and the mysterious 50 was put into my hand. Apparently, they also had no water, explaining to me with a sneer. Oookay. No water? In my bag was some I prepared earlier. A guy also followed me around in the store despite me showing absolutely no reaction to him except walk away. I asked one of the staff to help me and he just said no and laughed. Oh, the weirdest vibes. 

Due to the lack of fresh food at Mekha Mart I was starting to accept failure in my mission of obtaining a humble, in-season mango. 

So I stepped outside, brushed off the rude exchange and googled a market. A 28 minute walk. In 44 degree heat. But Bali and Melbourne have tested me before in this temperature. I melted and lost my way then but I wouldn't this time. I braved several street crossings and for a few seconds was part of the chaotic river of Jaipur streets. Scooters whizzed around me as I zigzagged between cars in that laneless maze. I survived again and again. 

In this lonely desert of lone female walkers (I think this area is actually near a desert) I stumbled across two hidden oases. One was a shopping mall, a modern one. They always have the ability to relax me. I found a stunning new handbag and a green wallet (last time I purchased a green wallet I got a $9 per hour pay rise that week; colour for prosperity). Sadly even the mall ripped me off. The 40% off tag mysteriously wasn't there at the checkout.

Please note: I am not a cheapskate. I tip often and don't always ask for change even in Melbourne and Kiwi restaurants. It's the dishonesty that irks me.

Anyway my second oasis was Poppin Cafe. Coffee and air conditioning for a few blissful minutes. I paid 1.5X than was required and was then on my way to fresh food. First non-rip-off! Win! They also had the best toilet I've seen. 

Second photo is for your amusement.

I finally arrived at a fresh food supermarket! Hair oils for $1 AUD, tomatoes, melon, kiwi, MANGOS. At last. 

I purchased all my things - let's gloss over the fact that not all items made it home, not because I didn't eat the mangos... Somewhere between the trolley and home they evaporated. Welcome to India?

After I got all the good raw stuff and washed it I swam some lazy laps in the pool for 40 minutes and stretched my post yoga muscles - don't try yoga at home when you haven't practiced for months - my poor knee is feeling "wrong" after Eagle Pose – Garurasana and Fixed Firm Pose – Supta-Vajrasana. But swimming is excellent for muscle injuries. 

I knew I needed (still need) to pack for my 5:00 am departure tomorrow but today's forays made me adventurous. 

I ubered to Jal Mahal, or the Floating Palace. Boats to the palace are unavailable at the moment, I went out to take some photos and soak in the sites. Ubers range from $1-2 AUD by the way, it's quite excellent. 

There were kiosks and families spotted along the shore. The palace lights up at night. 

And so do the people when my flash setting is on (photo taken with permission).

I was also featured in a few photos. So I figured karma owed me a freebie.

To finish off my grand and exciting day I had a samosa at a petrol station cafe. A one person date and much better that some of the dates I have been on. I internally toasted my walks. A small milestone - every female should be able to walk around safely - and to be fair, it was, kinda.

I know a day trip to the Taj Mahal would have been more exciting. But the thought of making small talk with a driver for over 8 hours - or worse, getting bonus pit stops at scam stations along the way, was unappealing. 

Jaipur, I will be back. But this time I'll be taking my friends. 

Namaste