jenny b

It’s true. I left Brian with a bittersweet “fair thee well, my love” at the Udaipur airport this afternoon. He’s headed to Delhi where he’ll pick up an early morning flight to New York, via Abu Dhabi. It was a fantastic two months, full of adventure, new friends, and lots of love. A much needed recharge for the both of us. He said it was the adventure of his life. I say, just wait till this summer!

With the countdown bearing down, Bri and I took a few deep breaths and dove fully into enjoying our last days together in Udaipur. As I will be somewhere in Northern India for the end of my Fellowship, it is almost certain to be a Delhi-based reunion come July. To close out his time here, we decided to hit up a few of the yet seen Udaipur treats and spend quality time with old and new friends (Brian made many), while shopping for gifts for family and friends.

Just down the road from Seva Mandir sits the beautiful garden oasis of Sahelion Ki Bari. This enchanting haven was originally built for 48 maidens meant to be part of the dowry of the city’s princess. Fed by nearby Fateh Sagar Lake, it is a lovely spread of green lawns, colorful flower gardens, lotus pools, marble pavilions and fountains. It was remarkably peaceful, welcoming, and romantic. Though I slightly regretted not visiting sooner, it seemed perfectly appropriate that my first visit was with my sweetheart.

There were many last minute to dos. Thus, we had a full-day planned on Brian’s second to last. After a quick breakfast, we hopped on the bike and headed up to Monsoon Palace, the ‘Summer Resort of the Maharajas’ (also called Sajjangargh Fort). The Fort sits atop a hill overlooking all of the city’s lakes and is easily spotted from most places in Udaipur. Construction of the palace began in the 1800′s by Maharana Sajjan Singh who had the dream of a 19-story summer retreat.

He died before the second story could be completed and I imagine it is in much the same state today as when he passed. It is now owned and run by the state government, who took over its operation following rocky years of ownership by the Army and the Forest Department (the Fort is surrounded in all directions by the Sajjangargh Wildlife Sanctuary). Though the palace remains largely incomplete, it is a popular viewpoint to take in the tremendous Aravelli landscape that surrounds the city, as well as the city itself. It’s also a hot wedding spot. If you’re of the rich and famous, of course.

Looking out across the valley that is now a city, Brian remarked at how fertile this place must have been at one time. You could see why it was so easy to fill the man-made lakes of Udaipur’s fame. Before a population explosion and consequent exploitation, the valley below must have been an oasis of its own following the rains.

Next stop: coffee. Brian remarked earlier that coffee is not the Indian drink of choice. So, it is not uncommon then for us westerners to seek out an outlet for a good ‘ol cup of joe. You might pay a premium, but damn it’s nice to have a rich, non-Nescafe coffee. Barista is one just place for me, often an office away from Seva, and where we re-caffeinated before heading to the old city.

One of the things that really excited Brian about being in India was the idea of having a suit tailored. An all but dead trade in the states, one can easily find any number of talented tailors to craft the threads of your choosing and fit here. After much deliberation and multiple visits to several tailoring shops, Brian set his heart on what became a real handsome number. Black with delicate pin stripes, in a luxuriously supple merino wool. Shirts to compliment. I was inspired during one of his fittings to have a woolen winter coat tailored as well – how many ill-fitted thrift store coats can one have sitting unworn in the closet anyway?

Recharged by Barista iced lattes, we eagerly headed to the tailor to pick up our new duds. Agreeing that our biggest expenditures thus far were WELL worth it (and a more-than-considerable savings than anything comparable at home), we were happy to accommodate our friends who asked for a fashion show later that evening.

Our last stop in the old city that afternoon was to our beloved friend Kailesh’s shop for gifts to send Brian home a belated Santa. Kailesh has taken a keen liking to his “best friend” and “dear brother” Brian and was only too happy to treat us to family prices in his shop of beautiful Indian household wares. Kailesh will clearly miss Brian terribly, but promises to phone him as soon as Brian has a mobile in the states again. Kailesh also promises to take very good care of “[Brian's] Jenny” when he leaves Udaipur. He is not to worry one bit, as I am now cordially invited to dine everyday, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with Kailesh and his wife Goodi. How very kind (and tempting)!

I sure will miss that guy.