So all we did today was shop. And wows. It was awesome.
Early in the day Amber and I started to plan out the upcoming weekend and decided upon Agra. Since it’s really only a day trip, we are spending Friday night just outside of Keoladeo Ghana National Park to visit the bird sanctuary there on Saturday, then heading to one of Akbar’f forts on the way to Agra where we will spend Saturday night. SUNDAY= TAJ MAHAL!!!!.....!! We chose this weekend so a) we could do it soon and b) so we wouldn’t be there for Valentine’s Day, even though being there with a bunch of other girls could be awfully romantic, haha.
We ventured out to the best bookstore where we got some sweet reads and are now friends with someone- the bookkeeper- who will give us more info about really anything. After another go at the mall finding yoga clothes we headed back for lunch to prepare for our shopping trip. Niveta arranged for a driver (we are with a really well off family I’m realizing more and more) so we could stop in shops then move on to the next. I ended up purchasing a few tunics and short sleeve shirts, scarves, 2 tailor fitted “suits” which have long tops that go about to the knees with matching churidar style pants (a sort of hipster skinny leg style), some really shiny jewelry to match my big splurge…a bright pink and blue saree for the wedding. It is probably the brightest think I have ever bought/worn but its absolutely awesome and I’m very much in love with it. There are some sequins and the border has a special tie and dye pattern that is unique to the area. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to wear it at home, but I will somehow find a reason.
Once we were back, Anna, Rachel and Shiveta stopped by and we went to Mr. Beans, Jaipur’s premier coffee shop, and it was kind of incredible. It looked like a nightclub from outside (apparently turns into one at around 9- clubs close here at 11:30pm) and when we opened the door “womanizer” by Britany Spears was on and later we head 50 cent. The baristas were all wearing these militant berets, rather Che Guevara-esque. The menu was pretty good, but seeing that I usually get chai when I go out to coffee- and we have chai here like 5 times a day- I was in a bit of a bind. Meh. They also have hookah and “American style French fries”- a pretty interesting place really. At first thought, I was like this is so American, but it really wasn’t. It’s fascinating to see what western ideas we export and then what interpretations of it exist elsewhere.
Back at home we had the tastiest “raspberries” I’ve ever had in my life. They were like orange grapes that came in a bunch attached to leaves. It tasted like strawberries, watermelon and oranges all at once. Must find more.
I’m really beginning to “get” it here. I’m so much more comfortable walking around, not being as timid of venturing out of the house and asking more questions. I am so excited for our upcoming travel plans, as Jaipur is a good base and I love our family, but seeing more of India is just going to be so amazing!!
Early in the day Amber and I started to plan out the upcoming weekend and decided upon Agra. Since it’s really only a day trip, we are spending Friday night just outside of Keoladeo Ghana National Park to visit the bird sanctuary there on Saturday, then heading to one of Akbar’f forts on the way to Agra where we will spend Saturday night. SUNDAY= TAJ MAHAL!!!!.....!! We chose this weekend so a) we could do it soon and b) so we wouldn’t be there for Valentine’s Day, even though being there with a bunch of other girls could be awfully romantic, haha.
We ventured out to the best bookstore where we got some sweet reads and are now friends with someone- the bookkeeper- who will give us more info about really anything. After another go at the mall finding yoga clothes we headed back for lunch to prepare for our shopping trip. Niveta arranged for a driver (we are with a really well off family I’m realizing more and more) so we could stop in shops then move on to the next. I ended up purchasing a few tunics and short sleeve shirts, scarves, 2 tailor fitted “suits” which have long tops that go about to the knees with matching churidar style pants (a sort of hipster skinny leg style), some really shiny jewelry to match my big splurge…a bright pink and blue saree for the wedding. It is probably the brightest think I have ever bought/worn but its absolutely awesome and I’m very much in love with it. There are some sequins and the border has a special tie and dye pattern that is unique to the area. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to wear it at home, but I will somehow find a reason.
Once we were back, Anna, Rachel and Shiveta stopped by and we went to Mr. Beans, Jaipur’s premier coffee shop, and it was kind of incredible. It looked like a nightclub from outside (apparently turns into one at around 9- clubs close here at 11:30pm) and when we opened the door “womanizer” by Britany Spears was on and later we head 50 cent. The baristas were all wearing these militant berets, rather Che Guevara-esque. The menu was pretty good, but seeing that I usually get chai when I go out to coffee- and we have chai here like 5 times a day- I was in a bit of a bind. Meh. They also have hookah and “American style French fries”- a pretty interesting place really. At first thought, I was like this is so American, but it really wasn’t. It’s fascinating to see what western ideas we export and then what interpretations of it exist elsewhere.
Back at home we had the tastiest “raspberries” I’ve ever had in my life. They were like orange grapes that came in a bunch attached to leaves. It tasted like strawberries, watermelon and oranges all at once. Must find more.
I’m really beginning to “get” it here. I’m so much more comfortable walking around, not being as timid of venturing out of the house and asking more questions. I am so excited for our upcoming travel plans, as Jaipur is a good base and I love our family, but seeing more of India is just going to be so amazing!!
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