Help us dress in our sari’s

 I don’t often ask for help, but when I do it’s really needed. The pressure is on for us to fit in and look good and we at big a sari for the groom’s reception was a must. Luckily my 300 rupee saris from Jodhpur was well received, as the colour was fab. I did have some trousers made in the same hot pink colour but they were rushed and didn’t fit, so I had to wear my craghopper travel trousers, which sturdley held up my tucked in sari. 

Wonderful Suman, the neighbour who I have met many times before came to our rescue and dressed us both and it was wonderful to be met with so much positive feedback on our outfits as we entered the reception. I always try my best and it definitely worked here! 

Oh no that’s not a hug

 We needed three outfits for the wedding. A sari definitely for the important grooms reception and his late night parade through town on a horse and us dancing to the crazy loud music .

I got a beautiful dark pink sari in the market at Jodhpur and it cost me £4. Much to the amusement of everyone around the woman puts the sari on me and I ask a nearby group of women if pink is ok to wear to a wedding. The older lady says yes, but more preferable if I buy the dress in a fancier shape. I told her as I was only going to wear it once that would not be necessary. 

So in Samdari I need to buy two long tops, so as there is an insufficient selection I get two made up. Buying a navy with gold and another pink with gold, I head to the old next door neighbours of Julie’s who is a tailor. 

Once we have gone through the required style and are still greeting each other I hug her back as she leans in, but it’s not a hug, she’s measuring my waist!

There’s a man

 It feels quite rare in India when women are given priority. But at the far side of Mehrangarh fort there is a beautiful temple and the easy path along the top of the fort is for women only (and disabled people according to the sign). Men have to walk back and down the stairs. The views from the top of walk way are fabulous, overlooking the old blue city of Jodhpur. 

On returning from the temple two older western men passed us on our walk way. We laughed and as we were chatting to a local student, we noted the presence of the men but she laughed and said they are fine as they are elderly. 

No need for an alarm

 When I’m at home I’ve no need for an alarm, the seagulls fulfil that function. 

Here in Jodhpur, whilst getting to grips with my jet lag, my wake up call is the Islamic call to prayer. Then the honk of auto rickshaw horns and barking dogs. Much more interesting than the beep of an alarm. 

I’ve never heard of where you are going

 When I was checking my in to my flight to Jodhpur via Mumbai from Heathrow, the check in assistant said that she had never heard of where I was going. 

I’ve been travelling in India for 30 years and as it is such a huge country, the list of destinations is so vast. She was from Goa, so I said she enjoyed the beach too much and need to head to Rajasthan. 

My list of more destinations to visit here is still long, but it’s also great to revisit places in different seasons to have a completely different experience. 

It’s an iPhone 16

 As a traveller in India I can never blend in, always standing out and always trying to fit in. 

 I got an autorickshaw today to take me on a more real cultural tour of Jodhpur. From the stone quarries, to the sari drying, local chai and food stops it was nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

At the chai stall I asked the guy if I could take a picture of him pouring the tea, as it is such an art form. On getting out my phone he shouted “it’s an iPhone 16”. I am so conscious that my new phone is worth an average annual wage here, the extremes are vast.  

Snow patrol

 Whilst I am packing for temperatures of 32 in Sri Lanka, the outside temperature is zero degrees. My best laid plans of doing what I normally do and drive to Winchester to catch up with a friend and then take the coach to Heathrow has been scuppered, so I need to let the train take the strain. I just didn’t want to be stuck on icy roads on the 4 hour drive up country. Well I’m almost out of Cornwall, enjoying the warmth of the train and there’s no snow in sight. Still better be safe than sorry! I’ve checked in online and my holiday has begun. 

For so many years, living so near Heathrow, I just got a taxi. Now I’m almost 400 miles away, so it’s a bit more of a journey!