I finally arrived in Jaipur after 1 bus ride for €0.39, 2 flights for €30.40 and another 1 bus for €0.25.
Yesterday my intuition was telling me that today I was likely to have problems with the luggage and so it was, despite buying the backpack and splitting my things up. Today there was more checking than usual and they made me open the bag and show my things 3 times, one of them at the door of the plane.
Tomorrow is 26 January, one of the main national holidays in India, known as Republic Day. It celebrates the coming into force of the Constitution of India on 26 January 1950, turning the country into an independent republic, with major military and cultural parades, especially in New Delhi. Hence the extra security you could see today, since heads of state from several countries are coming to watch the parade.
As for Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, it’s known as the land of the maharajas and, as a result, is full of palaces and imposing buildings. Its name comes from the predominant colour of many of its historic buildings in the city centre. That tradition began in 1876, when Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh ordered the city to be painted pink to welcome the visit of Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
After settling into my hostel, I went for a first walk around the city and ended up stopping for a snack at the Jai Kutir terrace café, with a view of the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, then went back to the hostel by metro to have a beer on the terrace, they’re big around here, 0.65 L, and then go and rest.