Moving Forth...
It wouldn't be fair to say I was done with Jaipur... far from it. There were still a million things to see, more people to meet and many experiences to embrace. But the time had come for me to leave this magical spot and see what else lay ahead, what mystical Rajasthan had in store for me.
A big and rather silly mistake I made was assuming Udaipur was Jodhpur. I know. It's most embarrassing. I'd always wanted to visit the Blue City, instead booked my journey to Udaipur. Not that I'm complaining. The lake city is gorgeous, I've even met the Maharaja at his Palace and had the privilege of staying in some of its most spectacular 5 star hotels previously.
As I reached Udaipur, I was greeted with a rather exciting message. To my surprise, a friend I had just gotten to know in Jaipur through another friend, had very graciously organised a stay for me at the beautiful Chunda Palace Hotel in Udaipur. What an absolutely stunning place! I wanted to know what it must have felt like living in the palaces of Rajasthan in their peak of their splendor and glory, with colors, paintings, murals, luxury all around... so I was granted exactly that. I was now a Rajput Princess - Ramona Singh Baisa.
I decided to make the most of it and stay in. Thankfully it started to rain so my motivation to venture out fizzled away instantly. I lay in bed, soaked in the huge tub, breathed deep, meditated, ordered room service and after years, felt like sketching again - so I did. What a super feeling. And what felt even better was the fact that my phone did not stop buzzing, beeping and ringing from 8am until 1am. Every person in the world I could and couldn't think of called me, messaged me or emailed me. I was missed. I felt so loved and appreciated.
That is without a doubt, one of the best things about life. To love and be loved. We tend to take it for granted when we have it everyday - be it kids, parents, partners, lovers, friends, pets. But when it comes out of nowhere and you know that it is pure without any hidden agenda, it makes you feel so blessed and so grateful. And that is how I felt at every stage of this trip, thanks to so many people I met, so many new families I got to become a part of and so many people that resurfaced after years, out of the blue.
I genuinely do believe I am the worlds' biggest sucker for love. And that used to hurt me a lot earlier. I saw it as a weakness - that I would do anything in the world for the person I loved, give everything up at the blink of an eye. But I have now realized, love truly is all there is... it is my strength, it is who I am, the essence of my being and it is all that matters. And that love should be all encompassing, not just limited to my lovers. Love for my self, my passions, my friends... the list in endless. One of my closest friends once said something to me, that has never left me. Anytime I even begin to feel low, I remember this and I stand tall again.
He said, 'if you truly love someone, then loving them should be enough. Your joy is in giving them love. So love for loves sake. Don't love them with an expectation or hope they will return the love you are giving them. 'You' are giving. They didn't ask you to. So if you're giving it, give it fully, with an open heart. If it comes back to you, acknowledge the blessing and show your gratitude. If not, you are still free to keep giving love, it will come back to you in one way or the other. Look around you - random acts of kindness through strangers, friends that surface when you need someone to have your back, dogs that run up to you and shower you with affection, babies that look at you and smile, music, art... there is so much love all around us, in so many different forms. Yet we stay fixated on that one love and the way in which we expect it to be returned.'
So as I write this blog here today, I just want to say to each and every one of you that I love you. Whether you are known or unknown to me, it doesn't matter. If you took the time to read this blog, thank you. Thank you for your love, support, friendship, kindness and help. And as I write this, I would also like to ask for forgiveness... if I ever hurt or offended anyone (which I'm sure I have, I'm only human), my sincerest, heart felt apologies. To those that hurt me, it's okay. Life goes on, may we do the same and move forth with love and peace.
As I lay in bed, ready to call it a night, a full day ahead awaits me in Udaipur... I can't help but wonder what is in store...
It wouldn't be fair to say I was done with Jaipur... far from it. There were still a million things to see, more people to meet and many experiences to embrace. But the time had come for me to leave this magical spot and see what else lay ahead, what mystical Rajasthan had in store for me.
A big and rather silly mistake I made was assuming Udaipur was Jodhpur. I know. It's most embarrassing. I'd always wanted to visit the Blue City, instead booked my journey to Udaipur. Not that I'm complaining. The lake city is gorgeous, I've even met the Maharaja at his Palace and had the privilege of staying in some of its most spectacular 5 star hotels previously.
As I reached Udaipur, I was greeted with a rather exciting message. To my surprise, a friend I had just gotten to know in Jaipur through another friend, had very graciously organised a stay for me at the beautiful Chunda Palace Hotel in Udaipur. What an absolutely stunning place! I wanted to know what it must have felt like living in the palaces of Rajasthan in their peak of their splendor and glory, with colors, paintings, murals, luxury all around... so I was granted exactly that. I was now a Rajput Princess - Ramona Singh Baisa.
I decided to make the most of it and stay in. Thankfully it started to rain so my motivation to venture out fizzled away instantly. I lay in bed, soaked in the huge tub, breathed deep, meditated, ordered room service and after years, felt like sketching again - so I did. What a super feeling. And what felt even better was the fact that my phone did not stop buzzing, beeping and ringing from 8am until 1am. Every person in the world I could and couldn't think of called me, messaged me or emailed me. I was missed. I felt so loved and appreciated.
That is without a doubt, one of the best things about life. To love and be loved. We tend to take it for granted when we have it everyday - be it kids, parents, partners, lovers, friends, pets. But when it comes out of nowhere and you know that it is pure without any hidden agenda, it makes you feel so blessed and so grateful. And that is how I felt at every stage of this trip, thanks to so many people I met, so many new families I got to become a part of and so many people that resurfaced after years, out of the blue.
I genuinely do believe I am the worlds' biggest sucker for love. And that used to hurt me a lot earlier. I saw it as a weakness - that I would do anything in the world for the person I loved, give everything up at the blink of an eye. But I have now realized, love truly is all there is... it is my strength, it is who I am, the essence of my being and it is all that matters. And that love should be all encompassing, not just limited to my lovers. Love for my self, my passions, my friends... the list in endless. One of my closest friends once said something to me, that has never left me. Anytime I even begin to feel low, I remember this and I stand tall again.
He said, 'if you truly love someone, then loving them should be enough. Your joy is in giving them love. So love for loves sake. Don't love them with an expectation or hope they will return the love you are giving them. 'You' are giving. They didn't ask you to. So if you're giving it, give it fully, with an open heart. If it comes back to you, acknowledge the blessing and show your gratitude. If not, you are still free to keep giving love, it will come back to you in one way or the other. Look around you - random acts of kindness through strangers, friends that surface when you need someone to have your back, dogs that run up to you and shower you with affection, babies that look at you and smile, music, art... there is so much love all around us, in so many different forms. Yet we stay fixated on that one love and the way in which we expect it to be returned.'
So as I write this blog here today, I just want to say to each and every one of you that I love you. Whether you are known or unknown to me, it doesn't matter. If you took the time to read this blog, thank you. Thank you for your love, support, friendship, kindness and help. And as I write this, I would also like to ask for forgiveness... if I ever hurt or offended anyone (which I'm sure I have, I'm only human), my sincerest, heart felt apologies. To those that hurt me, it's okay. Life goes on, may we do the same and move forth with love and peace.
As I lay in bed, ready to call it a night, a full day ahead awaits me in Udaipur... I can't help but wonder what is in store...
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| My bed |
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| This is what I saw as I looked up from my bed |
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| Open Sesame |
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| Corridor from my room to the elevator |
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| The pool on the terrace with a spectacular view |
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| You can see the City Palace, Lake Palace and so much greenery all around |
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| The city lights begin to make an appearance at dusk |
