Jaipur (2021)
A walk among the Pink City
Chapter 1: The Unplanned Journey
Ashu was getting married!
That was the reason for our spontaneous trip. We didn’t have a plan, not a clue where we were headed or where we’d stay. All we knew was that we wanted to go somewhere. It was a long weekend thanks to Dussehra, and we decided we’d meet at the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Kashmere Gate, ready to hop on the first available bus.
Packing was a challenge. I didn’t know if we were heading to a cold place or a hot one, so I stuffed my bag with clothes for both. By 8 PM, I was on my way to the Metro, where I met Ashu at the Old Faridabad station. Balram, who lived in Gurgaon, planned to meet us directly at the ISBT.
Once Ashu and I arrived at the ISBT, we waited for Balram at McDonald’s. He joined us shortly, and after a quick dinner, we headed to the bus terminal. Much to our surprise, the place was packed! We searched for hours but couldn’t find a single available seat. Finally, after three long hours of waiting, we lucked out and found a bus with just enough seats. We boarded and settled in for the six-hour ride to Jaipur.
(R to L): Balram, Myself and Ashu
Chapter 2: Exploring Jaipur
We arrived at the Jaipur City Bus Stand early in the morning. After freshening up and grabbing some tea, we searched for a place to stay and found a cozy spot called Blue Beds. The place was clean, and the staff was friendly. We checked into our 4-person dorm, took a quick shower, and by the time we were ready, it was already afternoon.
Our first stop was the City Palace, where we took in the sights of Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar. After a simple lunch at a nearby vegetarian restaurant, we headed back to the hostel. It was late, and the kitchen was already closed, so we ordered food and ate in the common area before going for a walk. The night was chilly but not too cold, and the neighborhood around our hostel was peaceful.
Hawa Mahal
Chapter 3: A Day of Discoveries
The next morning, we were ready for another day of adventure. Our first stop was Thali & More, a restaurant recommended by the hosts at Blue Beds. The food was delicious, a perfect start to the day. After brunch, we hired an electric rickshaw and made our way to Amber Fort. The ride took about half an hour, and I recommend bringing plenty of water, especially in the summer. We spent most of the day exploring the fort.
Afterward, we wandered through the market near City Palace, but I had to cut the shopping short for a client call (yes, on a Saturday night!). While I was on the call, Ashu and Balram did some light shopping—Kurtas and leather sandals. Once they returned, we had dinner and planned our next steps.
Rajasthani Thali
Dal Baati Thali
Amber Fort
Chapter 4: Solo Adventures
Sunday arrived, and Ashu and Balram decided to head home since they had work the next morning. I also had work, but I preferred to travel at night to maximize my time exploring. We packed our bags, checked out, and headed to the common room, where I stored my luggage for the day. I bid Ashu and Balram farewell as they caught a ride to the bus stand.
With some time to kill, I roamed around Jaipur’s markets, savoring roadside delicacies. In the afternoon, I made my way to Chokhi Dhani Village on the Ajmer-Jaipur highway. The village greeted me with a traditional Tilaka on my forehead and the sound of folk music. The place was beautifully decorated, and as the sun set, it became even more enchanting. I explored the village, enjoying the folk dances, puppet shows, and camel rides. Afterward, I indulged in a delicious Rajasthani dinner, served on disposable leaf plates with an abundance of ghee.
Me, on a Uber Bike
Chokhi Dhani Village Entrance
Chapter 5: The Journey Home
As the evening wore on, I realized it was time to head back. I quickly finished dinner, booked a cab to pick up my luggage from Blue Beds, and then made my way to the bus stand. After a brief chat with the hostel hosts about my day, I boarded the bus, settled in for the night, and arrived back in New Delhi early the next morning.
The trip was everything I hoped it would be—spontaneous, fun, and full of memorable moments.
Dinner at Chokhi Dhani
Chokhi Dhani Village