I’m not a huge fan of Jodha Akbar, Bollywood movie starring Hritik Roshan and Aiswaryha Rai that booming in both Hindustan and Indonesia. Even so, it’s turned into mini-series on one of national television in Indonesia. And frankly speaking I’m getting to know this movie after I came back from my India’s trip on May 2013, my travel mate told me that setting of this movie was taken in Rajashtan, or maybe we can specify using Jaipur.
After witnessing the symbol of love, Taj Mahal – Agra; I ‘m not expecting that Hindustan will offer me another masterpiece but it does. Rajashtan successfully open my eyes, agaaaaain..about how wonderful Hindustan. The first moslem city occupied with a very very beautiful architecture and nature. How I end up here? Of course, having mate and travel book looks effectively made up my day.
I took Hwh Ju Express (12307) from Agra Fort to Jaipur. The train scheduled to be departed at 20:05 PM and arrived on 00:05 AM early in the morning, but due to a bad weather we have to accept that the departure scheduled postponed for two hours and made us arrived in Jaipur at 2 AM. I just feel so sorry to our host who stay awake and awaiting for us at Jaipur train station.
So his name is Hussey Khan. A moslem, lawyer student at Rajashtan University, a couchsurfer and also a tourism ambassador wannabe. He host us during our stay in Rajashtan. He leave his room and stay outside almost of the day and slept at the rooftop at night. I wonder why he did it, but i realized the reason on my first night stay at his house. Hindustan was extremely hot during summer.
He lives with his parents, a sister, brother and a cute niece for sure. Most of them doesn’t speak English but somehow we try to understand each other. Most of them were amazed when I told them that I’m moslem. Not a good moslem indeed. They even asked me to read some phrases of the Quran. I just felt home.
On the next day, he brought me to visit his elephant. Yes, his family has one and day by day were used as part of elephant trail experience to enjoy the Amber castle for foreigners. Another thing that surprised me is the fact that this elephant has the same name as mine, Shanti. Ok Girls, at least we are at the same size.
We used public transportation during our day by day sightseeing in Jaipur. With cost around INR 2 per ride, we can reach most of the tourism spot with an almost convenient way. Be aware with your exchange, I found they didn’t give mine if I’m not asking since they knew that we’re foreigners.
Amber Fort was about a huge castle with a long bridge that most alike Greatwall of China. It can be seen from the rooftop of Hussey’s home. On the top, a beautiful palace and garden standing together with the view of mountains/hills and of course the lake.
We also headed to one of the gift shop down at the exit of the castle and sent some postcard at the post office. Next, we headed to Hawa Mahal at pink city area while tasting the best lassi I ever had. Lassi is a kind of both Indian and coconut milk; we have tried once known as the best in Varanassi but I can have it all at the moment and just finished a cup of it in Jaipur.
I also asked him to assist me to buy an indian scarf that can be used as a hijab. He got me me a cheaper price but somehow the trader was angry at him knowing that he took it for me, foreigners. Knowing that he want to put a higher price.
I can understand why foreigners charged higher price in terms of gaining additional fund to maintain the tourism site, but I cant for charging more on the same items sold in the market. Do they think that traveler always has a lot of money? Don’t they think that it can avoid them to revisit and bought the same thing again? Whatever the reason, it seems unfair to me.
But among of this fact, I’ll never regret my visit and never have any objection to come back. Hopefully, one day I will..
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