Judicia is sick in Jodhpur

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  Jodhpur, India
Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Hi Folks,

My poor Judicia was so sick that I am filling in as guest travelogue submitter. We don't know if it is a combination of the flu; anti-biotics and/or the anti-malaria tablets (Doxycycline's side effects are increased sensitivity to sunlight) but to use a cricket analogy she is out for six. Not to disappoint our friends, she has asked me to update you all.

When we arrived at the train station, we waited in a fairly crowded room where there did not appear to be any available seats. A kind elderly Indian gentleman then asked a little girl to vacate her seat for Judicia. She (little girl) was able to sit next to him and then someone else gave up his seat for me as well (then squeezed in with his family). We learnt that he and his family were waiting for their train which was over 3 hours delayed

Judicia is unwell but loves the room

. Judicia and I glanced at each other (with the look of Oh no, wonder how long WE will have to wait) and before we knew it the guy with the family got up and said he would go to check on our train. He was gone for quite awhile and when he finally returned, he brought us good news that our train was at that point running on time. We were so touched by his unsolicited kindness that we grabbed a box of chocolates (we carry these for such special people on every trip) and despite his protestations gave it to his 3 gorgeously behaved children to share. It was a good beginning to our trip.
 
The train trip itself was not as pleasant as our first class journey from Delhi but nevertheless still heaps better than our very first train experience in 2004. It was delayed by about 30 minutes but the a/c was fine and we were seated in coach type seats so it was all very civilised. There was even a side-show of a rail official scolding a drink-seller for selling 'dodgy' water. He went so far as raised his hand in feigned anger. To our western sensibilities this seemed extreme (imagine anyone doing that in Australia) but I guess this is India where such things have a way to go yet.

We were pleasantly surprised to find that the car that came to fetch us from the train station was a new car that even by Aussie standards was ALRIGHT

The Blue City

! The driver in his desire to get us into the haveli we are staying at almost wiped out the side of his car. This was due to the fact that he tried to get a car that was too large for the entry and its 90 degree turn. Even the French ladies in the car could tell that it WAS NOT going to fit. For his sake (the cars owner would probably have killed him had he damaged his New car) we all suggested that we get out there and then. We finally got to bed at 1am after the obligatory wash of all the grime that such a day brings.

This morning when we woke up (couldn't sleep past 7) we wandered around the converted haveli (heritage home) and loved its old world charm. We were planning to have breakfast at a Lonely Planet recommended Ommelette shop but bumped into 2 recently graduated Aussie law students. They suggested that we tried his competitor next door instead. We enjoyed the brekky and conversation and returned to our hotel room a hundred feet away.

This is where Judicia started to show symptoms of her illness. Her feelings of hotness in her sinuses and burning sensations in her eyes and skin which she had been experiencing for the last few days had intensified. Nevertheless, the trooper that she is we took an auto up to the fort. We both agree that by far it is the BEST fort that we have ever been to

View of the Fort

. Apart from its impressive setting high above Jodhpur city and its hugeness, it was also the best restored with a fantastic audio commentary and magnificent views. Unfortunately, we had to stop every now and then for Judicia to recover from her symptoms. Tonight we plan to return for dinner - which is the reason why she is in the hotel room recovering now.

After this blog entry, I will conduct a scouting mission looking for hand-embroidered silk bags and a list of other things my master has tasked me with (even in illness, she has her shopping wits about her).

We have also decided that we will hire a car to take us to Udaipur from here day after tomorrow. This is so that we can break up the modes of journey; because there is no train to Udaipur and Judicia just can't face another flight. This way, we can stop along the way for lunch - something I am always keen to include in any trip...

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