Delhi - Jodhpur

I finally got out of Delhi! Must say the start of my journey did not start well but things have improved just by getting out of that city!

My first experience of the Indian railway system was very positive. Delhi - Jodhpur took 12 hours and I'm sad to say I wimped out of my backpaper cheapo ways and took 1st AC class. I promise to bum it from here on in. Contrary to what you may have heard about the Indian railway system my train was on time! And a funny thing was I ended up sharing my berth with a Canadian(!!!) couple and their 3 year old son. Those crazy Cannucks sure get around!

Jodhpur (as in riding britches) is dubbed 'the Blue City' after the colour wash of it's old town houses and is overlooked by the mighty Meherangarh Fort, which rises from a sheer-sided sandstone outcrop.

I am staying in a guest house called Durag Niwas which runs the Sambhali Trust, a volunteer programme that helps disadvantaged local women empower themselves by learning different skills such as English, sewing, jewellery making, etc..

www.sambhali-trust.org

Much of my time has been spent hanging out in the Old City, avoiding the cows in the street, haggling for travellers clothes (clothing I would never wear in public in the UK. I even managed to buy myself a full Indian outfit for £1.50, but when I got it "home" I realised it was pretty god damn ugly so chucked it Note to self: just because its cheap does not mean you should buy it!) visiting the Meherangarh Fort, drinking lots of Masala Chai, people watching, trying different methods of keeping the mosquitoes away! AND eating curry, lots and lots of curry!! You can buy an entire meal for about £1 or less and the food is so good and filling. I find I only need to eat once a day!

How to go to the toilet the Indian way: use your left hand and a bucket of water. Simple. Yup, non of this western loo roll nonsense. Oh how people mocked me when I told them I was bringing my own loo roll! I should have brought more!