Dust & Echoes in Jaipur: A Slightly Broken Trip

okay, so, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm chai. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 23.21 degrees, feels like 22.87, pressure’s holding steady at 1014, humidity’s hovering around 49 - basically, perfect for sweating through a city that feels like it’s perpetually simmering. i landed in Jaipur yesterday, and honestly? it’s a sensory overload in the best, most terrifying way.

my flight landed at rjui, and the taxi driver, ram prasad, immediately started narrating his life story - mostly about his prize-winning mango tree and his daughter’s upcoming wedding. it was… a lot. i’m trying to capture the chaos, you know? the way the pink sandstone buildings bleed into the hazy afternoon light, the insistent honking of auto-rickshaws, the smell of spices mingling with something vaguely floral and…goat-y. it’s a weird combo.

i’m staying in this little guesthouse near the Johari Bazaar - it’s called ‘The Peacock’s Perch’ (seriously, the decor is aggressively peacock-themed) and it’s run by a woman named shanti who makes the best samosas i’ve had in ages. she also gave me some seriously cryptic advice: "don’t trust the men in blue. they’re always watching." i’m taking that to heart.

i spent the morning wandering through the Hawa Mahal, which is basically a giant honeycomb for royalty. it’s stunning, obviously, but also incredibly crowded. i swear i saw a guy trying to sell miniature elephants made of painted cardboard. it was… memorable. i grabbed some lunch at a place recommended by a guy i met at the hostel - he said, "someone told me that the best butter chicken is at Laxmi Misthan Bhandar, but be prepared to wait." i waited an hour. it was good, but not life-changing.

i’m trying to document everything with my camera, but honestly, i’m struggling. the light is insane, and i keep getting distracted by street performers and monkeys. i’ve got a few shots that i think are decent, but mostly it’s just a jumble of blurry images and frantic scribbles in my notebook.

here’s the gear list, because i know you guys want it:
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (obviously)
Sony a7iii (for video, mostly)
Various lenses (50mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm - the usual suspects)
Extra batteries (like, a lot of extra batteries)
SD cards (seriously, don’t skimp on the SD cards)
Portable hard drive (for backing up everything, because you will lose everything)
Noise-canceling headphones (essential for dealing with the chaos)
A ridiculously large backpack

i’m planning on checking out the Amber Fort tomorrow - it’s supposed to be incredible, but it’s also a massive tourist trap. i’m hoping to find a quieter spot to shoot some photos. if you’re looking for a good place to eat, i’d recommend checking out Yelp for some local spots. Yelp Jaipur

i overheard some drunk advice at a rooftop bar last night - something about avoiding the Pink City after dark. “i heard that” they slurred, “the shadows hold secrets.” creepy, right?

i’m also trying to track down some vintage textiles - Jaipur is a treasure trove for that kind of stuff. i’m hoping to find a good dealer, but it’s proving to be a challenge. i found a few interesting pieces at a stall near the City Palace, but the prices were a little steep.

if you get bored, Udaipur and Jodhpur are just a short drive away.

i’m seriously considering just buying a tuk-tuk and driving around the country. it feels like the most authentic way to experience this place.

Someone told me that the best chai is at a small stall near the railway station, but it’s only open in the mornings. Apparently, the guy who makes it uses a secret blend of spices.

i’m trying to stay off the grid as much as possible, but it’s proving to be difficult. the wifi is spotty, and i’m constantly being bombarded with offers to buy things. it’s exhausting.

i’m heading to the Albert Hall Museum next - apparently, it’s a beautiful building with a fascinating collection of artifacts. i’m hoping to get some good shots there. TripAdvisor Jaipur

I heard that the best way to haggle for textiles is to start with a ridiculously low offer and be prepared to walk away.

i’m starting to feel like a character in a slightly surreal travel documentary. it’s chaotic, it’s exhausting, and it’s utterly captivating.

Someone told me to be wary of overly friendly locals - they might be trying to sell you something.

i’m going to try and get some sleep now. my brain is officially fried.

check out this local board for events: Jaipur Events