Jodhpur

I came with my uncle on a business trip and I stayed at the Umaid Palace. It was the Maharaja’s private residence on one side and a hotel on the other side. It was October and while the Palace was air conditioned the back of our suite had the sun beating on it and as the day wore on it you could not even touch the back wall which was made of stone. The palace is surounded by a military army base including and Indian Air Force facility not far away. This was in 1999 and tensions between India and Pakistan were very high. The palace had magnificent gardens in the back that sat on a plateau overlooking the city and you could see the Ancient Mehrangarh fort in the distance. There was a seating area on the back varanda where my uncle and I would take our breakfast each morning. Spectacular! The view had the blue city of Jodhpur behind the manicured gardens with peacocks wandering through and the fort off to the distant right. Every few minutes an Air Force Jet would take off from the left as the border with Pakistan was very close. Surrounded by the army base, it was very exciting. India was bragging how they had the bomb and everyone was wondering if Pakistan had one too. We were in a perfect place to see! There was no bombing though but the thought was enough to get you up early for breakfast to get a good seat for the war.
Jodhpur is the most different place I have ever been compared to the USA. The culture is still based on a caste system and the poverty was unbelievable to western eyes. It was right out of Gunga Din. Water buffalo and cattle roam freely through the streets and carts were often pulled by camels. I seemed like no one would eat meat. I was escorted everywhere I went with a seik (sp) bodyguard wearing a big sword of all things. We did not go into the Blue city or into any crowds. He treated me like a head of state. I did not get to mingle with too many native Indians other than my uncles business associates and some at the Palace. What I saw was limited compared to what must be there. I did go to the Fort and a couple of other places and the were exquisite. A facinating place with a hint of suspense.