Trip to India Jan-Feb 2013, Delhi 4

The main street in the backpacker area, a couple of blocks from my hotel.

Some of the bicycle cyclos haul interesting cargo.

Oh Oh, the area is going a bit upscale.

Well, maybe not.

Lots of fast food in the area.

And an interesting old building being remodeled.

The stamp seller where I purchase all my wooden stamps.

Trip to India Jan-Feb-2013, Delhi 3

I tried my usual good market, Dilli Haat, in the southern part of New Delhi but it was full of Kashmiri traders selling Pashmina scarves which I am not interested in.  (most of them are of dubious quality)

There was this interesting display.

Art work inside one of the Metro Stations.

The large square next to my hotel in the evening.  There is a restaurant on the third floor of the building I am facing.

I was fascinated by this tree growing out of the wall.

And this doorway.

Trip to India Jan-Feb-2013- Delhi 2

The tiles representing some of the Hindo Gods are place on the walls because people will not urinate on them with them there.

I was surprised to find a pottery market on one of the side streets.

A beautiful doorway on a side street.

Back in the main part of the City I made my usual visit to the Central Cottage Emporium near the Imperial Hotel.  I usually find some good fabric here but not this visit.

A couple of blocks away is a street full of vendors from Rajasthan.  I have some favorites here and usually find something.

A beautiful display of bags at the edge of the market.

Trip to India Jan-Feb 2013- Back in Delhi

 Back in New Delhi after a fascinating overnight train trip.  There were three other women in my first class coach and we shared food and talked for hours.  I ended up having to sleep on the top bunk.  Ugh!  Back in New Delhi I stay in the backpacker district called Paharganj, full of old winding streets.

 I took a tour of the area with a guide from Salaam Balaak Trust, an organization which helps the street children in the area.  The guides are all former street children. A vegetable seller in the area.

 The children sell rags and paper they collect to a dealer such as this one.

 A typical array of electric wiring.

 Just an interesting old corner.

This was a real alley way with hotels and houses opening on it. 

Trip to India Jan-Feb-2013 Goodbye Jodhpur

 Up to the Indique Restaurant on top of the Pal Haveli for a fantastic view of the Fort.

 As usual I had the butter chicken and rice.  The food here is ok but overpriced (you are paying for the view).  I like the food at the Govind Hotel better.

 The clock tower from the restaurant.  I stayed here in the Pal Haveli a few years ago and found it overpriced, cold and impersonal.

 Back in the market and my favorite antique bauble seller.

In the market again for a last view.  I have been here 7 times so it may be time to visit other areas of India in the South perhaps as I have been all over the northern area.

Trip to India Jan-Feb 2013, Jodhpur Again

Back in Jodhpur for three more days before heading for Delhi and home.

I always love staying at the Govind Hotel for a number of reasons.  Jaggi, the owner, always gives me a wonderful room and a warm greeting. 

I can walk here from the Railway Station (pulling my bags).  Its disadvantage is its on the second floor over a bank.  But another advantage is the wonderful, inexpensive restaurant on the roof with a view of the Fort.  My room even had a view of the Fort.

As always, I spent a lot of time in the Central Market.

With its view of the Fort looming over the City.

A shoe repair man near the Market takes time out for a chat.

Shop window near my hotel.

Flower sellers in one of the main squares.

There is lots of fabric in the Market but of poor quality.

The used sari sellers wait for a customer.

I love the look of vegetables in the Market.

A white horse on its way to a groom and an Indian wedding.

Trip to India Jan-Feb.2013, Bikaner, Camel Farm

 A typical street scene in Bikaner.

 With my luck I had come to Bikaner to see the annual Camel Festival.  The events which I wanted to see were on days when I wouldn't be here.  So I elected to visit the Camel Research Center on the south of the city.

 It was feeding time which made it a good time to visit.

 Its the home to over 400 camels in three different breeds.

 Some of the camels are branded.

 I love camels feet.  The way they smoothly plop them up and down and the skin seems to slip.

 No, I didn't try anything in the snack bar.

The next day I took the train back to Jodhpur.  I was stunned to find the train station so empty in the middle of the morning.  A big surprise in a city of over half a million.  Usually any train station is teeming with people.