India - Day 6, Jaipur to Nimaj

This morning we begin our colourful drive to Nimaj.  You can still see and feel the Diwali excitement in the air. The bustling markets are full of locals shopping for fruits, vegetables, sweets and more.  There is an amazing dance of people, cars, motorcycles, cows and goats.  Life in the streets is never dull and we marvel at the way our drive maneuvers his large bus through these busy streets.  Then it's into the  country side where life seems to slow down to a nice pace.  Cows wander about the road looking for a nice grazaing area. Sometimes they stand in the middle of the road as if to claim their territory.  The traffic goes around them and their strange system seems to work well.  Our drive is many hours so some of the ladies catch up on their sleep, others chat or take photos of the colourful women out working in the fields.  A quick pit stop, if that is possible with 22 ladies that love to shop. The excitemet on the bus builds as we approach the busy village of Nimaj.  Our bus has to the park in the main square as the street leading to our hotel is too narrow to enter.  The ladies are thrilled to walk through this small,vibrant town.  The locals are delighted to see us and the children all greet us with smiles and cheerful hellos.  We enter through the large arched gateway into the courtyard of the Nimaj Palace Hotel.  The Royal family still lives here and tonight we are going to be treated to a private cooking class with the daughter in law of his royal highness.First we enjoy a lovely lunch then check into our rooms.  Once settle we are taken on a walking tour of the Village of Nimaj.  The locals are excited to see us and some welcome us into their home to see how they live.  It seems like every child in the village has come to escort us through their town.  Children shake our hands, smile, ask questions and request their photos be taken.  They are delighted when we show the photo to them and this of course makes them want more and more.  It's so much fun moving about this amazing little village.  The houses inside are well kept but the streets are full of garbage and excrement. The cows, dogs and goats seem to own the streets here.
After our walk we freshen up and join the royal family for our cooking demonstration.  From here we move to the roof top terrace to enjoy music and dancing performed by the locals and a fireworks display.  His Royal Heiness joins us for the show them excuses himself for the evening.  Dinner is served on the terrace under the star lit sky.  It's quite magical here at the palace.

Tomorrow we are going on a jeep safari. This should be fun.