Jaipur - Muditland

After a nerve wracking trip to Mount Abu, with too much of monsoon rain and a crappy hotel, we arrived in Jaipur. Now we have reached the easy part of the trip, so I thought, as we from now on live with Indian friends of mine. Here in Jaipur, it's Mudit who picks us up from the train station.

When Mudit came to Denmark last year, it was me who taught him all about European culture and behaviour. I was so surprised when he asked me for anti bacterial soap (Dude! Evey soap is anti bacterial!), or did not know how to use a vacuum cleaner. He always took my food and laughed like a girl behind his hand, when something was funny.

Now it's him who knows how the world around works. For the first time we have the chance to see the country from behind a window, as we drive in Mudit's car. All the noise and smell is damped and we drive through the city like through a museum. It suddenly seems somehow ordered and makes some sense. When I'm out on the streets I am too aware of my bag and the traffic, here I get the chance to honk on everyone around.

I was not able to imagine where Mudit comes from. How does the Indian middle class live? Where does it start and where does it end? Mudit lives outside the city in a huge house, with a great staircase and so little furniture in it. His parents are loving, make a lot of food for us and just express their happiness for our visit. They asked, who of us is Anna and when I said it was me, they smiled, finally knowing who the friend was, Mudit told them about last year. It is eye opening to see how much they give for their son and how proud they are about his achievements. It is touching me to see how he takes care of them and how he translates, so we all understand each other. Finally, now that I see where he comes from, I understand Mudit. Friends just share things, that's why he always took my food and they help each other in every way possible.

Mudit is our proud guide showing us the many castles of Jaipur and other sights such as temples and museums. On the way in the car, he does not forget to mention that there is the hotel where he wants to get married and the other place is where men go for porn. The reason for why supermarkets are a failure in India, is that they are just too slow and don't get how to use a cash machine. Recently they prohibited the use of plastic bags in Rajastan, so you have to carry your shopping. It's stupid! Not the bags, the working culture in India!

I love to be here and see Jaipur through Mudits eyes. He is a friend to keep and Jaipur is a city to return to.