Nov. 1, 2011 Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Standing on my balcony, I watch as the bright green conures leave their perch in the tree and are making green streaks across the sky.  Several chipmonks / squirrels scavenge the rooftop across from me as pidgeons flex their irridescent purple and green necks balancing on the wires below.  It's early and time for baths and laundry at Ganguar Ghat on the other side of the lake.  I can hear the slapping of boards against concrete and stone as the dirt is literally knocked from the fabric.  The city looks so serene at this time of the morning.

City Palace

I went to see the City Palace and got lost on the way back for over an hour...I am exhausted!  The City Palace is huge and dominates the skyline from the east side of Lake Pichola.  I can't even imagine living in a place that large...the children must have had a blast running the halls and courtyards.  What a great place for hide & seek!  The main part of the palace hosts a museum, with lavish mosaics of peacocks, many glass and mirror works and ornamental tiles.  There is also a pleasant central garden in which to relax after winding through the many narrow passageways.  The rest of the palace fronts the lake and has been partly converted into two luxury hotels.  The grandiose Durbar Hall was added in 1909 and is one of India's most impressive.  It holds hundreds of people and can be hired for special occasions.