36. I'm engaged!! to.. Udaipur, lake city! :)

I have never had such a breezy airport experience – or I should just say ‘general’ travel experience. The airport was empty – and quite – we just sailed on through – the flight just the same – flying in India – yay! J And the Jodphur airport was a darling little thing – just one room J From there we were picked up by our pre arranged taxi – The driver was such a sweetheart – but more on that later J The drive to Udaipur was beautiful – it actually reminded me a lot of driving to Zulu land when we were little. We arrived at the Dev Raj Niwas Hotel – on the lake! This lake does everything for the place – cools it down by day, and twinkles it by night. Boats come and go.. and a few people wash their clothes on the banks.

The owner of the hotel, Dev, was sensational – and should be given an award for being the most fabulous host of hosts! After checking into our palace room..oh how fab J - we sat on the terrace drinking Gin and Tonics, chatting to Dev and his friends. It was the first time we had done this in India – here we were – chillin’ like we chill with our friends back home – laughing, drinking, smoking, chatting – openly and without any reservations or judgments’. It was incredibly refreshing to be able to be so free. We didn’t feel any of the ‘weirdness’ that we have felt with men on this trip. We were just a bunch of friendlies – and when I asked why the Western tourists in Udaipur walk around in string tops and all seems fine. We had not been in a place where there were many westerners like we saw here – but even when we did see the odd one in the distance before – everyone was covered, but as Dev put it, ”Udaipur see’s many tourists, so we understand that they are not prostitutes.”  J

That night we were taken out in a whirl wind of fun! We all piled into a car and whisked off though cobbled narrow alley ways, with French music thumping us all the way to the ‘Sheradin’ where we danced the night away – at one point I heard, “It’s Britney bitch” and screeched out in excitement – and danced for my Prince Andrew back home! It was so much fun – I was hoping to have a big night out in India, but the places we have been to have not been places for such a venture.. but we got one alright, and when we least expected it so that made it all the more fantabulistic!

The following day the gin had done some serious damage to my exhausted body.. we had been pushing through the month – seeing, walking, climbing, more walking, shopping, learning, and burning the midnight oil on more than a few occasions, travel travel travel.. and on that Friday we were running on very few fumes – and for an unknown reason – didn’t eat – we had two coffees, a samoosa and a packet of chips – the whole day – and then filled up on g n t’s.. not the brightest idea but a real hoot.

Although on Saturday I wanted to jump off the terrace and into the lake.. death had become me.. but of course – in true ‘Sian and Megan style’ I pushed and pushed – went missioning around the palace – which is much like the Taj and it didn’t lose its beauty even though I vomited right there. Such is life :/ Dev brought me some coconut water later on which really sorted me out and gave me the push I didn’t have to get on the boat for a sunset ride..hmmm so beautiful..and then watch the Rajistani dancers/puppet show – which was so much fun! The women are amazing – one in particular was running around with ten pots on her head! This show had all the bells and whistles!

After which we had a late dinner with Dev on the terrace – a glass of red each, served with their specialty “The chicken steak sizzler” Potatoes stuffed with cheese, juicy chicken and so many veggies – magnufique! Dev paid for everything, again. He really was so wonderful to us perhaps because he was a love sick puppy – he had completely and utterly fallen, head over heels.. in love with me. I just laughed. He never told me to my face, or made me feel uncomfortable in any way – he’s a gentleman..he just quietly pined, and eventually spoke to Sian. He fell in love with my free spirit when he saw me dance. I wonder what he would do if he saw a whole bunch of us hippies stomping ourselves stupid in the mud. Haha. He so wanted me to stay but alas I am not interested –he’s far too romantic for my taste – too much of a gentlemen – but a great catch for so many other ladies out there! If you want to be treated like a princess, go go go! Your prince is there! Just make sure you dance like you’re on acid ;)

Oh! Our on our taxi ride from Udaipur to Jodphur we had the same guy again Vicky and his brother Rudhra joined us. We had such a fun road trip, stopping in stalls for chai tea, listening to traditional rajastani folk music, and chatting about all sorts of jelly tots.

“Are you sisters?”

“Yes.”

“From a different mister?”

ahahaha “yes.”

“Oh. Your family is very dangerous.”

J lol.. we had a fun ride – trying different Indian snacks on route – at one point we ate ladies paan J It was massive and so much to chew but interesting.. Sian loved it..me? Hmmm. It was interesting. It made us very sleepy – we floated into the train station – buzzing, spices style J

Udaipur was bliss – art everywhere – wonderful stores with sweet shop owners – who ask you to come and buy things but don’t hassle you Varanasi style..Rajastan is so much easier than the other parts we’ve travelled thus far. The people are chilled and much more friendly. We didn’t get any strange stares, and there are women all over the place – everything is much MUCH cleaner (that's the biggest under statement I've ever made) and the place is more relaxed – it seems coming here we said goodbye to the chaos and hello to a very tranquil place, stress and hassle free.. I’m loving Rajastan so far – and so looking forward to the rest of it! So far everywhere we have been has been soooooOOOO different from the previous place, but we have been moving far and wide so perhaps now that we are still moving but sticking within Rajastan - they will all have something in common and If this is the vibe that threads through.. I’m stoked!

xxxx