Trip to Jodhpur, India- Jan-Feb.2012- Weekend Out Part IiI

A view to the front of my building. The stage for the dancers is the piece in the front.

An old farm cart in one of the yards.

The hotel had turndown service of course early in the evening.

A puppet seller set up early in the evening.

One of the dancers with a huge pile of pots on her head.

An interesting old building in town.

Downtown.

Three of the green parrots take a drink.

Trip to Jodhpur, India, Jan-Feb.2012- Weekend Out Part II

One of the many murals in the halls

The lovely courtyard in front of my room where I could sit and listen to the little green parrots flying around the eaves.

The building's living room.

Flower petals on the table.

The hallways of the building

The lovely outside pool

And a pool table of course. There was a small bar next to this.

One of the side doors.

Trip to Jodhpur, India-Jan-Feb-2012 Dinner and a Weekend Away

Out to dinner at On the Rocks Restaurant a few blocks away to celebrate 3 volunteers leaving after a few months stay.

My chicken dish served over hot coals. Yum .

That weekend I hired a car and driver and went 30 miles north to the town of Luni where I stayed at the Fort Chawa Hotel. My room was huge.

The sitting area.

And desk alcove.

The beautiful bathroom with a big shower stall. Fabulous hot showers.

The courtyard outside my room. One of many. There were beautiful small green parrots who lived on the roofs.

A mural in one of the hallways.

Part of the main yard. There was music and dancers here every evening. With fires to keep warm.

Trip to Jodhpur, India. Jan-Feb-2012. Around Town

This tiny little two seat Barbar Shop was located in a kiosk just before the first gate to the Clock Tower Market. A busy spot.

Back at the Payal Center the women are wondering what to do with all the fabric left by the women last weekend.

And a volunteer who was leaving brought a cake.

At the Guest House the owner's son wanted to take part in the game the volunteers were playing. He is 6 and has 14 subjects in school. He speaks excellent English.

A man hauling a vegetable cart seemed to be found in most neighborhoods. I wish there was one in mine.

My favorite trim shop in one of the alleyways in the Market. I stop here every year and the owner and his son (pictured here) remember who I was with and the son even remembers what I bought last year and tries to not let me buy it again (but certainly buy something else). It is the usual hospitality when you are making a large purchase in most Asian countries to offer the customer something to drink. I chose a cold soda one day when he was alone and rather than tell me this was "not convenient" he just left me watching the shop as he sped away on his motorcycle for it.

The local Trauma Hospital. One of the volunteers was hospitalized for three days with a respiratory problem and the bill was 15,000 rupees (a little over $300) But she had to purchase her own food.

Trip to Jodhpur, India- Jan-Feb. 2012- The Palace Part 2

Mirrored furniture for a lady's bedroom

TThe current Maharaja.

The first Maharaja had a quirky collection of clocks.

Some old lamps.

The view from the Palace. Some very expensive houses and shops were built in a gated community just below the Palace.

Trip to Jodhpur India, Jan-Feb. 2012- A Trip to the Palace

The Palace was built, between 1928 and 1943, for H.H. Maharaja Umaid Singh ji, Grand Father of the present Maharaja, who had benevolently commissioned a new palace in 1923 to replace Mehrangarh Fort as the symbol of a new Jodhpur and to give employment to the people of Marwar during the period's great droughts and famines.

Perched high above the desert capital of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan Palace is the last of the great palaces of India and one of the largest private residences in the world - set amidst 26 acres of lush gardens.

Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present Maharaja of Jodhpur, this golden - yellow sandstone monument was conceived on the grandest possible scale, in the fashionable Art Deco Style of that time. After 15 years in construction, the 347 - room palace was finally completed in 1943 - and has served as the principal residence of the Jodhpur royal family since.

Designed by renowned Edwardian architect Henry Lanchester, the palace is a blend of eastern and western architectural influences. Its majestic 105 - foot high cupola is influenced by the Renaissance, while the towers draw inspiration from Rajput tradition. The lavish interiors with gilt furniture and elegant artwork follow the Art Deco style, complemented by the exotic murals of the self-exiled Polish artist Stefan Norblin.

The Maharaja and his family are currently down to 100 rooms and the hotel has 67 guest rooms and suites as well as a fabulous indoor pool, squash courts, billiard room and several restaurants. A museum occupies one small wing of the building.

The main door where you enter as a guest (at $850 and up a night) or to the restaurants. I have eaten here twice and it is a fabulous evening treat.

Today I was headed for the Museum. A scale model of the Palace.

And two stuffed leopards in the entrance way.

The current Royal Family. The son is an avid polo player and had a bad accident a few years ago and was unconscious for a long period. He has recovered and had a huge wedding a couple of years ago at the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur.

Two examples of rooms from the 40's.

Trip to Jodhpur, India, Jan-Feb.2012- Around Town

A group of children who beg around the market have a meeting of sorts in the center by the Clock Tower.

Cows taking a break in the busy section.

Some interesting architecture on a side street.

Beautiful saris in a shop window.

A group of school girls asked me to take their photo in Mcdonald's during an ice cream break.

One night we had visitors at the Guest House from a Dragoman Tour. They go overland in countries all over the world camping with this huge sturdy truck.

Back at the Payal Center the group cuts out Butterfly Jackets from silk purchased in the Market.

And a dress from material donated by the women who were here last week.