Jaipur
Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)
Jaipur is the capital and largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan in Northern India. It was founded in 1726 by Maharajah Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amer after whom the city is named. As of 2011 , the city had a population of 3.1 million making it the 10th most populous city in the country. Jaipur is also know as the 'Pink City of India' because of the painted buildings.
We checked into our hotel, The Hotel Bissau. It was beautiful and every surface in the interior and in our rooms was decorated with different types of art!
Our room
The first morning, we took the bus to the Amber Fort. We went up the hill to the fort in jeeps!
The Amber Fort (or Amer Fort) is located in Amer, a town with an area of 1.5 sq.mi. Located high on a hill, it is known for its artistic Hindu style elements. Constructed of red sandstone and marble, the opulent palace is laid out on four levels, each with a courtyard.
Some people (not our group) came up on elephants!
This is our tour guide!
Sheesh Mahal, mirror palace
Women's gardens
View from one of the windows
Every piece of this art is inlaid with colored marble pieces and is stunning to see.
Jaipur marketplace images:
On the second night, 7 of us opted to go to a family's home for a cooking class. It was in a suburb of Jaipur in an apartment building with a man and his wife, his mother and their child. They were so kind to share their home with us.
Staple spices used in their home every day: salt, red pepper, cumin seed, turmeric, coriander powder
Becca assisting with the cabbage dish
Their daughter!
Their wedding album. It was an arranged marriage. They didn't see each other until the day they were married!!
Making chipati directly over the flame
Our completed meal, which was delicious! Left going clockwise: cabbage and peppers, gravy, daal, palak paneer and cucumber and tomato salad.
