{"id":11287,"date":"2017-11-23T10:00:22","date_gmt":"2017-11-23T15:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theprofessionalhobo.com\/?p=11287"},"modified":"2024-06-18T07:36:21","modified_gmt":"2024-06-18T11:36:21","slug":"acclimatizing-india-jaipur-vlog-ep-29","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theprofessionalhobo.com\/acclimatizing-india-jaipur-vlog-ep-29\/","title":{"rendered":"Acclimatizing to India, In Jaipur (Vlog Ep. 29)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I was totally freaked out about traveling<\/a> to India. People usually start describing the place with a long list of incredibly unsavoury characteristics (such as noise, dirt, chaos, touts, beggars, scammers, and more), followed by a dreamy far-away look in their eyes while saying it’s their favourite country ever<\/i>. I didn’t get it, so I had to go. And my journey, started in Jaipur.<\/p>\n\n\n

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This post was originally published in 2017. It has since been updated for accuracy of links and content. <\/em>

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Preparing For India<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Prior to arriving in India, I read The Shadow that Seeks the Sun<\/a>; a new release written by a guy who spent a chunk of every year in Rishikesh for a while. The book tackles some ambitious spiritual topics, but refreshing ones that made me fall even harder in love with the idea of visiting Rishikesh and finding some friendly local stranger with whom I could have spiritual talks on the steps of the holy Ganges river. (Spoiler alert: I ended up in Rishikesh and received quite the punch-in-the-gut (Indian style) on arrival, before relaxing into the place (a bit) and being a hermit for a two-week detox. More on that in a later post.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also watched a movie called The Shack<\/a> on the plane to Delhi, which although not based on India, featured some concepts that would serve me well, such as releasing my idea of judging what is good and bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And lastly, I watched the movie Lion<\/a>, which is simply a gorgeous movie (based partly in India) that made me cry. A lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh yeah, and for the record, Shantaram<\/a> (set in India) is one of my top three favourite books of all-time. (Though a friend of mine who is all about India says there are heaps of books about India<\/a> that are far better!) <\/p>\n\n\n

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Arriving in India<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So I figured I was on the best possible footing to arrive in India. In the spirit of dichotomy (something India is famous for), I recorded an anxiety-ridden FB Live Video<\/a> the day before I left, before embodying a bit of zen and surrendering to whatever the place would be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It didn’t hurt that after a hectic arrival and near missed connection, my first four days in India were spent at The Fairmont<\/a> in Jaipur – the best 5-star hotel in Jaipur. I met up with an old friend and travel writing colleague (Mariellen of BreatheDreamGo<\/a>) and we lapped up the luxury for four days of Fairmont ecstasy.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Fairmont was a blissful experience, and I’m not just saying that because they hosted Mariellen and I for free; it’s a destination unto itself, and if you’re looking to ease into \u2013 or out of \u2013 India (or need a rest in the middle), I highly recommend this splurge \u2013 a splurge, which, all things considered is well priced for what you get.<\/p>\n\n\n

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But let’s get it right. Staying within the confines of the Fairmont’s delightful embrace was hardly the India I was braced for.

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Acclimatizing to India in Jaipur<\/h2>\n\n\n
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My acclimatization started while staying in Jaipur city (the Fairmont being about 20kms outside of Jaipur). Again, I had it pretty easy. Mariellen being familiar with Jaipur, selected the Bani Park area for us to stay in, because it is a quiet residential area but still accessible to everywhere. I hopped on Booking.com and picked Om Niwas<\/a> which was decent enough for the money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking for accommodation in Jaipur? Check out these deals: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n Booking.com<\/a>\n<\/ins>\n