23 March 08: Don't mansion it!

Naani was so happy to see me, I'm glad I came. Of course the second thing she said was, “Naresh beta, Why don't you see some nice girls while you are here? The neighbours' niece, you know, what was that friend's name whose mother used to feed you – hanh Ranjan, what?, I knew all about it, but now don't worry, eat all you want – achha you all used to play with her all summer long, she has also gone to college and not married yet, but very nice girl. Your parents aren't here but doesn't matter you can go with your Mama. ... Just to see, say hello-bye-bye.” I think that last was in response to my face. “Achha beta, you can just go see Ranjan, his marriage has happened – very nice girl also from a good family, he's straightened out now.”. (Hey Vinod, how do you translate sudhar gayo ? “Got repaired”?) I don't know, old childhood friends, especially domesticated ones, it could be good, I suppose.

Anyway, the mansion is not bad! My cousins have modernized things there now. They even have a separate “bidet”! My 4 yr-old nephew took me to see it on a special tour. When I asked him what a “bidey” was, he looked around furtively and said it was a water fountain! I hope the poor kid doesn't come down with something, but he must have gained immunity already. Maybe some of his enthusiasm as a tour guide will rub off on me.

I can stay in one of the finished sidehouses, they are still having work done in the main house. My cousins are good company to hang with, and to help me out they've shown me the bus stop, the train station and given me an idea of the rates that rickshaws etc. charge. I won't get the use of a car, hard times have hit us all. Anyway all for the best, unlike in Pune, traffic in Jaipur is totally chaotic and tempers seem to flare very readily. Much to my disappointment though, nothing much seems to come of all the exchanged gaalis and threats I've witnessed so far.