Stood up by an Elephant

First the good news. I can justly claim the tennis championship of Rajasthan, having beat the tennis pro at the Rambagh Palace (where I am staying) with a borrowed tennis racquet. For all of you who know I can't beat a tennis pro, I'll admit that he wasn't of the caliber that we'd normally think of as a pro, but a win's a win.

Yes, it's true--this morning I was scheduled to take an elephant ride up to the fort in Amber, a village about 10 Km from Jaipur. When we arrive, all of the elephants were on the road from Amber to Jaipur to participate in a festival scheduled for this afternoon. Prince Charles and Camille are in town; perhaps he has more clout.

Braj Raj Singh Siras was my guide for the morning. I again went through my song and dance regarding my disinterest in buildings and monuments. I think he took me seriously. When we arrived in Amber (nothing to do with the color of the city)I was treated to a one hour dissertation by Braj covering the entire history of India from Pre-mogul time to the present, while standing on a street corner shooing flies away. It was very illuminating and I learned a great deal, but I did wish, from time to time, that I had a tail.

Raj and I walked around the city for a while. He knew a lot of people and we stopped often to talk with them. An astrologer friend of his looked at my palm, asked for the date of my birth and didn't say much thereafter. Hmmm. Raj related to me that he was of a noble family and was a Chatteria (sp?), the warrior class. His family still has several homes and farms. He lives with his grandparents, parents and children totaling 22 with a servant staff of 6. He is a guide.

We stopped at a temple being dedicated to the Goddess Kali and met the man who had recently built the temple. His daughter was killed many years ago when the roof of a school house she in collapsed. Her spirit has returned every so often by occupying friend or relatives and the man needs to complete the temple so that she can achieve Moksha. After nine days of consecration, a statue of Kali will be placed in the temple and it will become an open place of worship.

For those of you who were wondering about the Pushkar camel festival this year, and you know who you are, it will start on October 28 and end on November 5, 2006. The high point will be around November 1. Pushkar is a 2-3 hour drive from Jaipur and you can either stay in a tent (a well appointed tent) at the fair ground or, the best hotel within reach is in Ajmer, 4 Km away, called Mansingh Palace, a three star hotel.Dharmendra Sing Shekhawat (0091-9829052814) of Rajasthan Tours Pvt Ltd (rajtours@sancharnet.in) can set up everything. Braj Raj, my guide (brajrajguide@hotmail.com) will also be available for you.

I have noticed that the rear of most trucks contain a sign that says: "blow horn". No wonder. Braj Raj commented that to drive in India you need three things: a good horn, good brakes and good luck. We'll test mine tomorrow when we drive to Agra.

Thinking more and more about home and a steak.


P.S. When we parted, Braj Raj invited me to a "state birthday party". I didn't know what he meant but I wasn't about to refuse. He picked me up @ 4 p.m. and we drove to a large reviewing stand not far from the hotel.. He explained that this was Rajasthan's Foundation Day, the anniversary of the founding of the State of Rajasthan in 1949, two years after the partition. Before 1949, the territory now forming the Sate of Rajsthan was called Rajputana and consisted of six princely states, each ruled by a Maharaja. Although the state was formed in 1949, it was not until1952 that the six rulers ceded their authority to the Indian covenant and the State became an integral part of India. Interesting we sat next to Prince Charles and Camilla---well.....not really "Next to", but not more than 50 people away. Huge parade with elephants, camels, horses, dancing girls etc. Well worth seeing. Thanks, Braj!