Delhi Belly Strikes Back

I think this may actually be my last blog post in India. To honor the occasion I put up pictures of Jaipur, viewed from Amer Fort. I am sad to report that for whatever reason I got another round of Delhi Belly starting last night. I managed to go to class to get my grades and say goodbye but otherwise I have just been sleeping and barfing etc. Not exactly how I wanted to spend my last day here, but I guess in theory its better than getting it at some exciting time when there were a hundred things to do. Although stomach-achy packing really sucks. Thanks to everyone that read my blog and stay tuned for Paris.

Love,

Violet

Fatepur Sikri

These pictures are from Akhbar's Throne. It's a beautiful structure built for him and his 3 wives (one from Jaipur, one from Turkey and one from Portugal). After getting off a long bus ride, this place was exactly what we needed to get excited again. Anything this geometrically please certainly gets my heart racing. Anyhow, enough about the pictures, I know you are all dying to know how my presentation went. It was alright. I got the most applause, but I was also dead last. At that point everyone just wanted it to be over, myself included. Today is my last day going to the institute. We are going to have chai, say goodbye and get our grades.

See you soon!

Love,

Violet

The White Palace

This temple was one of the most beautiful buildings I saw in India. It's actually called the Taj Mahal of Rajasthan according to one of my teachers. Most unfortunately my camera died before I could take my fill of photos (I only got about 80, damn). I could handle the Taj and then Jodhpur but my camera wasn't quite up for the task. Hopefully I will be equally resilient tomorrow. I am giving a 30 minute presentation on my paper, in Hindi. Wish me luck.

Love,

Violet

Jodhpur: Land of Oz

In the early light of the morning in Jodhpur, I could see from one end of the city to the other. On our side the big fort stood over us and to its right a white temple stood. In the light it looked like it was glowing. At the other end, farthest away from us, I could see a shadow of a castle in the fog. Standing there it reminded me of Oz. These pictures are from the wicked witch of the west's palace. It is a large beautiful structure, that remarkably resembles something one would make on the beach by dripping wet sand into towers. This was our first stop, sightseeing in Jodhpur and throughout my sightseeing I could shake the feeling that this could be the only place that Oz could be modeled after (I mean come on, the emerald city, total rip off, all they did was pick another color).

After I put up pictures of Glinda's palace you can tell me if you agree.

Love,

Violet

Happy Pictures For Weary Violet

Here is the whole series of fun pictures that my friends and I took at the Taj. The poses are as follows: Incredible India, Japanese tourist, Kathak pose, and jumping for a reason that no one can quite remember. These may or may not have been planned out ahead of time (they were). It was necessary to determine our poses before we went because of the amount of time before certain people deteriorated into a puddle of sweat (me) and others hair frizzed (not me). I am putting these pictures up because I am currently wading through my final paper which is due tomorrow. It is finished (13 pages and hindi, booyah). But I am only a page into the miserable undertaking of typing it up using google transliterate. So I put up happy, funny pictures because I am miserable and sleepy and my neck hurts. At least I will have a break tomorrow (read facial), because I have to hand it in and then I will present on Thursday so I will have one afternoon of peace (read packing). More enthusiastic reporting tomorrow.

Love,

Violet

Peace Offering

My internet was too bad to post yesterday so I will leave you with this until later tonight. This is the new contender for my book cover, or perhaps my new hit pop single.

Love,

Violet

The View From Above

More pictures of Jodhpur, this time from the top of the fort. I'm away for my last exciting weekend in India. I'll talk to you again on Sunday.

Love,

Violet