Located in the centre of the state of Rajasthan, Jodphur lies in the middle of the Thar desert. The blue wash on many of the buildings has earnt the city its nick name of the 'Blue City'. With a population of about 2 million people it is quite big by New Zealand standards, but it feels friendly and intimate in comparison to Delhi. The town's activities are focused around the clocktower where there is a busy market. Above the market, the Mehrangarh Fort provides a dramatic backdrop for the city. It was built in the 1400s to commerate the defeat of the Moghals, however ironically much of the architecture within the fort looks quite Mogal-inspired.

Rajasthan is known for its vibrant colours and Jodhpur certainly doesn't disappoint. The women dress in brightly coloured saris (which they sometimes use to cover their faces in public) and the market streets are lined with people selling brightly coloured fabric. One part of the market specialises in beautiful second hand saris. Some second hand saris are used to make bags; in Jodhpur plastic bags are banned so at the supermarket you are given your groceries in beautiful bags sewn out of old saris.

Durag Niwas guesthouse, where I will be staying for the next month is located a short rickshaw ride from the centre. I am really impressed at the design of the building, somehow the thick walls and inside courtyard, which creates a slight breeze, keeps the guesthouse slightly cooler than the intense heat outside (it is often about 40C at this time of year). The courtyard is full of a lot of unrecognisable plants which gives the guesthouse a feel of an oasis in the middle of the desert. Mukta (Govinds wife) and the other staff are friendly and welcoming - which was especially appreciated when I arrived early in the morning after a miserable train ride. Durag Niwas guesthouse is also home to the Sambhali school. A couple of the upstairs rooms have been converted to classrooms where we teach the girls for a couple of hours each day. More about the Sambhali school in the next post...