First impressions of Jaipur, Rajasthan

13.05.18

I was warned that India would not only be a huge culture shock, but dangerous for a woman travelling alone. But no one can prepare oneself for the massive assault on your senses and ideas. 

The airport was tame compared to the streets outside. In the loo women were taking up all the hand basins - none of them washing their hands, just checking their hair.The heat in Jaipur is a humble average of 44 degrees each day right now, though dry and not cloying. 

My first impression was noticing that there is a Chickpea Agricultural Research Centre - now that is agriculture I can get into.

The only road rule is... um, what? Commuters beep to communicate with each other. Total chaos - but generally cars before tuk tuks. Helmets, seatbelts, seats, cardoors. All optional. Cars weave between lanes like rivers. Near miss collisions, like a crash could happen any second. Judging by the shape of the cars - although a little shabby, no major dents. Expats confirm the lack of motor vehicle accidents. Amazing how such a chaotic system can work. Women sit side saddle on scooters. 

Unfinished unstructured buildings everywhere. Roads full of holes in them. Shopfronts full of knick knacks. Nothing except chemists have a price on their items, infuriatingly. More infuriating though is that my driver wouldn't stop so that I could buy food anywhere. No parking at the markets. I tried at least five times to ask him, and despite having almost perfect English he failed to receive the message. You would think the language of food was universal. Struggling to figure out where everyone buys their food from. [Edit: two days later, still struggling to find out.]

No one accousting me yet like what I expected. Just an airport officer telling me to 'be calm' as I rushed to the luggage area.

Obviously I have a bit of slowing down to do. A silent taxi ride. 

An enquiring immigration officer - 'what sort of public servant are you?' Hmmm. One that never gets anything done?

I'm glad my sister packed my Indian looking scarf. It is my badge - to cover my head. But it's hot. And I stand out like a sore thumb regardless. From the beginning of the plane ride to the doors of my hotel. I am stared at; it makes me accutely uncomfortable.  

Instantly I am asked if I am single at the hotel. Erm, thanks for reminding me. One day I hope this won't be such of a status thing, let alone being none of anyone's business.

I am trying to let it all flow through me and relax into it. As they say in the movie American Beauty: "and then it flows through me like rain."

I expect the next few days will be like nothing before in my small, humble life.