Royals
Ahhhhhhh, Jaipur. Blue skies, crisp(er) air. It feels good. Jaipur is Rajasthan's largest city, and is famous for its jewels (the cricket team is known as the Royals), as well as surrounding desert scenery. The purpose of our visit to this wonderful city is again to unwind, as well as reconnect with some of India's great people, in the form of our tour guides (more to come on these men). However, before I get into today's events, I must wish Roni Chapman's grandmother Annie an enormous happy birthday. We hope you are enjoying your day, and older brother Bennett ('15/16 tour participant) is looking after you back in New Zealand!
By way of a sickness update, George Skinner is gooooone from the sickness ward. Cam MacFarlane and Leo Smith have all but resumed full duties – you can't keep these boys down for long.
Friday 22 December
5:00am – the group is woken again by the Hare Krishna group walking past our windows. This time, however, it serves as our alarm as we make our way straight to New Delhi Railway Station. The short walk saw us arrive a good half an hour before our train to Jaipur was due to depart.
6:00am -after hearing great things about the train ahead from our Hotel Namaskar staff, we were not disappointed as a complimentary breakfast and chai greeted us at our seats. This writer is still extremely confused as to who/ why/ how it is decided which trains just become 'good', but like some raffle draw, clearly we had the winning ticket with omelettes and a kind of spiced potato mash bite served up. Walking zombie Mr. Crook took this opportunity to sleep for the entire train ride, totaling four and a half hours. Seriously, how does the man do it? We have challenged him to sleep for the entire 18 hour train ride to Mumbai, mainly because we are sick of hearing how 'shredded' he's become from his bouts of illness. P.s. this is not a good thing, mate.
10:30am – we arrived at Jaipur Junction, and headed straight out to the carpark where we met our 'tour guides' for the next three days, consisting of a gang of rickshaw drivers, led by our trusty old mate Shakir. In Jaipur, your modest rickshaws turn into tuned-up 'helicopters', emblazoned with slogans like "drink chai and make this helicopter fly", and each having their own sound and lighting system.
11:00am – we were dropped at our hotel, Atithi Guest House. If Hotel Surya has been the most grand accommodation so far, this forms the most homely, with similarly nice rooms and food, just at a smaller scale. Undoubtedly, however, the best aspect is the rooftop garden, where food can be ordered to, and cards will no doubt be played over the next few days. Boys were split into new rooming groups, and able to order lunch directly from the kitchen. The famous spaghetti arabiata and penne alfredo were popular choices as boys elected to unwind again, and rightly so. It had been a manic week in Delhi. From here, the boys were ordered into full lockdown, leaving them to sleep, blog (we hope you enjoyed the influx), email home and just generally relax.
4:30pm – many were woken from their slumber, with Rapson doing his best Borat impression marching from room to room chanting "I am king of the castle, king of the castle". The bloke needs a reality check. Shakir's crew met us downstairs, taking us into the Pink City. In a similar way to which Delhi has both Old and New, Jaipur's Pink City represents the Old of this grand city. Sandstone buildings painted pink in honour of the Prince of Wales' visit in 1876 (pink being the colour of hospitality in Indian culture), they now resemble more of an orange colour. With that said, they city is still equally as unique and striking, and has remained largely untouched since its inception. The group was dropped off at the northern most area of the Pink City, at a Hare Krishna temple known as Govind Devji temple. For half an hour we watched and participated in fascination as a procession of praying, singing, and a kind of whirlpool walking effect took place. The group circled the inner alter, getting swept up in a mass of chanting bodies.
5:30pm – the boys were given a simple navigation exercise. Armed with a map, they were to meet us back at the entrance to the Pink City, at the southern border known as New Gate. In the hour and a half they were allowed, they were to complete secret santa shopping, and generally explore the nooks and crannies of this fascinating area of Jaipur.
7:00pm – at the recommendation of the rickshaw drivers (they seriously need some cool collective name) we were taken to a famous rooftop restaurant. After the smog of Delhi, we were promised clean air and beautiful views of the city – and we were not disappointed.
10:30pm – what was mildly disappointing however has the 3 hour wait for food… Sometimes this place just kills me. Rickshaw driver Shakir turned waiter, ordering staff around, as we finally were fed, and fed handsomely. As we move from city to city, the food subtly changes, and here we managed lamb for the first time, as well as many electing for the chicken kadhai, famous in this state.
11:00pm – we departed the restaurant, and sent the group straight to bed. Given the 18 hour day that we had had, debrief was to wait for tomorrow morning. Despite the long day, it is great to be in the state of Rajasthan. It's desert climate means days are hot, and nights are cool, and we are not complaining.
Thought – over the past two-and-a-bit weeks, we have materially lived rather simple lives. Equipped with a few sets of clothes, a tooth brush, some dubiously effective deodorant and a sense of humour, this country has highlighted how easy it is to live simply. In India, many of the people we have come across live life stripped back, without any excess 'white noise'. This is very much brought about by circumstance, as many only have the ability to concern themselves with food, shelter, water and family. However, as a model for happiness, doesn't this have huge value? Indeed, I've got no doubt many of our boys will agree with me when I say that our decluttered lives have brought about clarity and gratitude.
MVP – Sam Lindberg. Lindy, as he is known to his friends, is a man wise beyond his years. However, today, this wisdom took a hit of sorts. On the train into Jaipur, the topic of savings, and particularly investments came up. As poverty stricken university students, myself and Rapson had little to add in this area. However, Lindy piped up, revealing himself as the Warren Buffet of bitcoin. For those of you who aren't aware, bitcoin has become a bit of a buzz word in the financial industries of late. Apologies, but I'm not going to begin to explain it to you, as I'd be little use, although big Lindy will be more than able. Lindy proceeded to give a sales pitch Jordan Belfort would be proud of, as he glowed with stories of promise and how it will one day take over the USD as the gold standard of currency worldwide. The man is an avid investor, and hats off to him. Why, then, is he to be awarded MVP? Well, it's simple, it plummeted 30% over the last 4 days so he needs some consolation. Chin up, champ.
Reuben
By way of a sickness update, George Skinner is gooooone from the sickness ward. Cam MacFarlane and Leo Smith have all but resumed full duties – you can't keep these boys down for long.
Friday 22 December
5:00am – the group is woken again by the Hare Krishna group walking past our windows. This time, however, it serves as our alarm as we make our way straight to New Delhi Railway Station. The short walk saw us arrive a good half an hour before our train to Jaipur was due to depart.
6:00am -after hearing great things about the train ahead from our Hotel Namaskar staff, we were not disappointed as a complimentary breakfast and chai greeted us at our seats. This writer is still extremely confused as to who/ why/ how it is decided which trains just become 'good', but like some raffle draw, clearly we had the winning ticket with omelettes and a kind of spiced potato mash bite served up. Walking zombie Mr. Crook took this opportunity to sleep for the entire train ride, totaling four and a half hours. Seriously, how does the man do it? We have challenged him to sleep for the entire 18 hour train ride to Mumbai, mainly because we are sick of hearing how 'shredded' he's become from his bouts of illness. P.s. this is not a good thing, mate.
10:30am – we arrived at Jaipur Junction, and headed straight out to the carpark where we met our 'tour guides' for the next three days, consisting of a gang of rickshaw drivers, led by our trusty old mate Shakir. In Jaipur, your modest rickshaws turn into tuned-up 'helicopters', emblazoned with slogans like "drink chai and make this helicopter fly", and each having their own sound and lighting system.
11:00am – we were dropped at our hotel, Atithi Guest House. If Hotel Surya has been the most grand accommodation so far, this forms the most homely, with similarly nice rooms and food, just at a smaller scale. Undoubtedly, however, the best aspect is the rooftop garden, where food can be ordered to, and cards will no doubt be played over the next few days. Boys were split into new rooming groups, and able to order lunch directly from the kitchen. The famous spaghetti arabiata and penne alfredo were popular choices as boys elected to unwind again, and rightly so. It had been a manic week in Delhi. From here, the boys were ordered into full lockdown, leaving them to sleep, blog (we hope you enjoyed the influx), email home and just generally relax.
4:30pm – many were woken from their slumber, with Rapson doing his best Borat impression marching from room to room chanting "I am king of the castle, king of the castle". The bloke needs a reality check. Shakir's crew met us downstairs, taking us into the Pink City. In a similar way to which Delhi has both Old and New, Jaipur's Pink City represents the Old of this grand city. Sandstone buildings painted pink in honour of the Prince of Wales' visit in 1876 (pink being the colour of hospitality in Indian culture), they now resemble more of an orange colour. With that said, they city is still equally as unique and striking, and has remained largely untouched since its inception. The group was dropped off at the northern most area of the Pink City, at a Hare Krishna temple known as Govind Devji temple. For half an hour we watched and participated in fascination as a procession of praying, singing, and a kind of whirlpool walking effect took place. The group circled the inner alter, getting swept up in a mass of chanting bodies.
5:30pm – the boys were given a simple navigation exercise. Armed with a map, they were to meet us back at the entrance to the Pink City, at the southern border known as New Gate. In the hour and a half they were allowed, they were to complete secret santa shopping, and generally explore the nooks and crannies of this fascinating area of Jaipur.
7:00pm – at the recommendation of the rickshaw drivers (they seriously need some cool collective name) we were taken to a famous rooftop restaurant. After the smog of Delhi, we were promised clean air and beautiful views of the city – and we were not disappointed.
10:30pm – what was mildly disappointing however has the 3 hour wait for food… Sometimes this place just kills me. Rickshaw driver Shakir turned waiter, ordering staff around, as we finally were fed, and fed handsomely. As we move from city to city, the food subtly changes, and here we managed lamb for the first time, as well as many electing for the chicken kadhai, famous in this state.
11:00pm – we departed the restaurant, and sent the group straight to bed. Given the 18 hour day that we had had, debrief was to wait for tomorrow morning. Despite the long day, it is great to be in the state of Rajasthan. It's desert climate means days are hot, and nights are cool, and we are not complaining.
Thought – over the past two-and-a-bit weeks, we have materially lived rather simple lives. Equipped with a few sets of clothes, a tooth brush, some dubiously effective deodorant and a sense of humour, this country has highlighted how easy it is to live simply. In India, many of the people we have come across live life stripped back, without any excess 'white noise'. This is very much brought about by circumstance, as many only have the ability to concern themselves with food, shelter, water and family. However, as a model for happiness, doesn't this have huge value? Indeed, I've got no doubt many of our boys will agree with me when I say that our decluttered lives have brought about clarity and gratitude.
MVP – Sam Lindberg. Lindy, as he is known to his friends, is a man wise beyond his years. However, today, this wisdom took a hit of sorts. On the train into Jaipur, the topic of savings, and particularly investments came up. As poverty stricken university students, myself and Rapson had little to add in this area. However, Lindy piped up, revealing himself as the Warren Buffet of bitcoin. For those of you who aren't aware, bitcoin has become a bit of a buzz word in the financial industries of late. Apologies, but I'm not going to begin to explain it to you, as I'd be little use, although big Lindy will be more than able. Lindy proceeded to give a sales pitch Jordan Belfort would be proud of, as he glowed with stories of promise and how it will one day take over the USD as the gold standard of currency worldwide. The man is an avid investor, and hats off to him. Why, then, is he to be awarded MVP? Well, it's simple, it plummeted 30% over the last 4 days so he needs some consolation. Chin up, champ.
Reuben
Yes I was wondering whether to tell him that or not but glad you've kept him up to date on his investment!!!
ReplyDeleteFor context, the price of 1 bitcoin in Indian Rupees is 936062.62. That could buy 3,744 pairs of Ali Babas!
ReplyDelete