Day 23 - India "good price"

This is the classic way to travel in India (called an auto rickshaw). This one is actually bigger and nicer than most that we have taken. In Jaipur we hired a driver to take us around to different sites. The places we wanted to visit were pretty spread out, plus 3 white girls tend to get a lot of attention as we walk down the street! The shopkeepers can be pretty aggressive trying to lure us into their shops with "good price". Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming but there are so many kind people that make up for it. I can't count how many times someone has stepped in and helped us in an assortment of ways.

A cute family on the train. We have traveled by train between cities and it is usually an adventure in itself. The benches are for 3 people but it is often very crowded so nearly always there is someone else that works their way onto our seat as well. It was actually quite an ordeal trying to get these tickets. We read that there is an official ticket office in the train station. But as we searched for it there were so many men trying to convince us to come buy the tickets from their shops. We heard everything... that train is full so but we have a car you can hire, this is the official government office, even that we could not pass by a certain gate without a ticket (though everyone else was going through just fine). It was tough but we felt like champions when we finally figured it out! And best of all a 4 hour ride only cost us about $1.50.
On train...
And I thought I was talented for carrying a casserole on my motorcycle... (why this is underlined I have no idea)
Preparing for a vegetable curry dinner at Sunny and Vandu's house (most people are vegetarians here, part of the Hindu religion). They are a wonderful family we met through couchsurfing.org. He taught is a lot about India, the culture and religions here. Plus he was funny. He entertained us with his blonde jokes as he drove us to some local sights!
Eating our curry. It was good but a little spicy for me! People here eat with their right hand (and save the left for their 'business') but it is hard for me to remember!
Sunny and Vandu's baby. 1 month- so cute! It is part of their tradition to put eyeliner on the babies as well as various jewelry.
Our minor traffic accident with a small motorcycle. Everyone was ok thankfully! We couldn't help to laugh as we watched them assess the situation. Traffic here is total chaos so I don't know how you could ever find fault! I said that I felt a little adrenaline rush crossing the street in Rome. Well here that adrenaline rush might be compared to bungee jumping... out of an airplane. We usually get around by auto rickshaw and there is never a dull moment! First of all they drive on the left side. Well that is unless they feel like driving on the right, against traffic. The roads are full of all sorts of things... auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, motorcycles (I have seen 5 people on one), cows, cars, stray dogs, mud, occasional elephants or camels, people walking, horse and buggies, etc.
Cycle rickshaw... Love it!
Just trying to fit in at Monkey Palace
There are thousands of monkeys that live around this temple.
Monkey Palace. We had to hike back into it. What a hidden treasure!
India facts:
7th largest country
2nd most populated (1.2 billion people)
74% literacy rate
Hinduism is predominant religion