This is my third post on one day in Udaipur! It’s the day that never ends. But to be honest, this is how I prefer it. I love to see as much as I can when I travel because who knows when you’ll get to come back again? Our last stop of our first day in Rajasthan was the Courtyard of the Maidens, which was on the other side of the lake.  We drove around, stopping to take some pictures along the way. This picture below looks like a painting to me, but it’s just the way the lake looked. Many of my landscape pictures from India have this look to them. I think the pollution in the air is partly to blame.

This street food was sold all over the region. The plates were held up by string on the end of the stick and everything balanced perfectly. They wrap the paper into a cone shape and put the food inside. It’s then eaten with your hands. I never found out what it all was, but it actually looks quite delicious.

The Courtyard of the Maidens is an enclosed, lush garden area used by the king where he could bring his queen and her female companions and they would not be seen anyone. They could bathe, relax and just enjoy being outside without worrying about the public. More than the palace, this place made me wonder what it must have been like to be a woman in these times. I know they must have never known any different, but to have to be hidden away from the world must have been hard. These beautiful places might have made up for it slightly, but would they have felt like caged animals, constantly kept in enclosures? Or did they enjoy it because every luxury was afforded them?

The grounds are kept in immaculate condition. Just outside of the lotus pool are the white marble elephant fountains which were imported from England. The water is pumped in from the lake. What do you guys think, should I get one of these for my backyard? I think it would look good!

On the other side, sort of tucked back into a shady little clearing, were these rain fountains. They would shoot up at random from the ground. Needless to say, we got a bit wet, but it was fun!

Confession – I’ve never done a jumping photo. It’s probably no surprise when you see my face below. I haven’t done one since so you won’t be subject to more. You’re welcome.

Meike, a cheerleader back in Germany, nailed it. She makes it look easy.

After playing around for awhile, we walked back through town to the car. Similar to the other places we’ve been in India, the buildings seem to be built on top of each other. There’s no telling where one ends and another begins.

As we neared where we parked, we ran into a heard of cows and they were so cute we had to stop and pet them! As many people are probably aware, cows are sacred in India and allowed to roam the streets at their own will. Abishek explained it, “Cows are like your mother. If your mother wants to sit in the middle of the road, who are you to tell her to move?” Fair enough!

It was a long and exhausting day, and we really packed the sites in. I think we all collapsed into bed that night and slept soundly. In the morning we drove north to the town of Pushkar, one of five sacred pilgrimage sites in Hinduism.