“Young lady doctors don’t travel around India without a chaperone,” I was told. “It’s just not done.”
I was sceptical about how much safer I would be with the “suitable” older lady friend-of-a-friend. I was reassured that the issue at hand was more what was “appropriate” than what was safe.
So I set off from Mumbai, heading north to Delhi, Agra and then Jaipur with the “appropriate” Mrs C. Mrs C may have been an appropriate chaperone but she was also good company and in possession of a refreshingly British sense of humour. She also brought along her two nieces, young women about the same age as I was. The four of us probably had a lot more fun than could ever be deemed “appropriate.”
I was enchanted by the wonderful reflections of this palace in a lake as we approached Jaipur, so Mrs C asked the driver to stop the car so I could take these pictures. Looking back, Mrs C successfully orchestrated a whole host of photo opportunities and traveling together with an Indian family group allowed me access to views I would never have discovered alone.
One day whilst we we staying in Jaipur we rode an elephant up a mountain to visit an art gallery in a palace (pictures to follow in a later post). Inside the palace there were scores of artists painting. They were using brushes that seemed unusual to me. So Mrs C enquired, and we learnt that the brushes were hand made by an artisan in Jaipur with hairs from the tails of squirrels.
My father is an artist, and like many dads he is not always the easiest person to choose presents for. I explained the reason for my curiosity to Mrs C and she promptly requested the details of the brush maker from the artist.
Back in Jaipur we took a cycle rickshaw to the edge of town to a Bazaar and followed the artist’s directions down a series of twisting alley ways until we found the brush maker’s shop. He was very surprised to see us! What struck me the most about the whole bizarre episode was that it must have been after nine in the evening when we got there but everyone was still shopping!
My father loves those brushes and he says they are a pleasure to paint with. Thanks to Mrs C and the rules of propriety my father got his paint brushes and I was able to take pictures in places I hadn’t dreamed of.
All pictures from India are scans of prints taken with a point and shoot camera. More photographs of India can be seen in these posts.
You should do some of your road trip stories!
Blond Duck´s last blog ..The Perilious Tales of Pemberely Pet Shop 10
What interesting photos. Thanks for sharing.
Mary
Mary ´s last blog ..MARY: Way Back When Wednesday–Fashion
Your monochrome photos are stunning. Oh Jaipur. I remember it well!
Simply outstanding shot monochromes – I love the first one of the palace (?) – rich tones and a warm touch. You have a great eye. Hope you are feeling better soon!
Twitter: MrsScribe
These Superior Snaps do such a great job of capturing the awesome grandeur of the area. Chaperone or no, bravo!
Melissa B.´s last blog ..The OBX: Best Burnout Cure Ever
very interesting shots. It is always good to have a local show you around.
Twitter: _melroxx_
Thanks for sharing those photos, I’ve been to some of those places!
Dropping by from the Lady Bloggers Tea Party Social.
You take the most beautiful photos!! Each one was interesting to look at. I’m in love with the black and white photos.
I know it’s late but Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!
Hope you had a good weekend!
Megan Wagner´s last blog ..Fabric Frenzy
Twitter: 2ManyHeartbeats
Wow, your photos are stunning! I would really love to go serve the people of India. Until recently, I was the Short-Term Medical Missions Coordinator for a large missions/outreach organization. In 2007, I was looking forward to traveling to India as part of a medical missions outreach team. A couple of months before our departure, I became quite sick and ended up not being able to go due to the seriousness of my illness. Unfortunately, I am now completely disabled (homebound/bedridden) and unable to participate in any of the trips. :0( However, I continue to pray for the people of India and hope that, one day, I will be healed and will finally be able to GO and SERVE!
Thanks for sharing your trip!
Blessings,
Teresa <
Teresa @ Too Many Heartbeats´s last blog ..SUNDAY CITAR
Twitter: flgirlmidwest
How wonderful. I have always longed to travel like this.
Stopping by from SITS.