🇮🇳 Weekly Log: Agra Organization, Jaipur Chaos, and Pushkar Arrival (Nov 25 – Dec 1)
Summary: The week began with a successful effort to impose order and routine in Agra, focusing on cheap, safe lodging and intense training/work. This stability was shattered by the highly stressful transit to, and chaotic environment of, Jaipur. The week ended with a decisive, efficient train journey to Ajmer, leading to a much calmer, welcome arrival in the smaller, more organized town of Pushkar.
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Nov 25 (Agra: Organization & Training)
Slept okay; dorm was comfy and quiet. Rose 9:20 AM, realized the locker was not secure - could lift the mattress and get in easily. Chilled a bit in the common area, finished snacks. Informed staff about the faulty locker. Left Bedewiser 11:40 AM. Walked down the street to the unlisted Rahgir Tales hostel, paid 300RS cash, and checked into a 6-bed dorm with decent wood pad lockers.
Tried ATMs across the street, failed three times. Walked around awhile for ATM cash, through the Taj gates to the roundabout monument; all had a 10k max withdrawal limit. Used ICICI bank to withdraw 10k RS twice (169CAD x2). Walked around for food. Found a guy who sells weed, hash, and cookies; bought a small bag for 250R + 6 cookies for 60R. Decided to try another ATM, Indusland again, 10k RS (cost 0.59CAD more - might be an FX change in 15 minutes). Walked around, not much food, tried to find laundry but failed.
Organized at the hostel, not too hungry despite no meal yet. Chilled in the hostel common area, which was large but a bit musky. Finally felt things were in order - just needed to find laundry. Did a flexibility training session: backbend + forward fold, side splits, yoga warrior 1x6. Handstand was getting easier, held one for 30s, tried to lower slowly. Popped wrists for stiffness on a bench. Did light kicks on the terrace, adductors on the couch armrest, and speed drills on the spot - a pretty nice workout. Showered, rested, felt better in the private dorm so far.
7:20 PM: Walked around; hard to find meat - a disadvantage of India is not many meat options; most places don't even have chicken. Was pulled into a fancy hotel for chicken thali (420RS), only 2 pieces with bone, with rice and roti; was charged 450RS, a bit ripped but the taste was okay. Found a room right next to the hostel for 500INR.
Felt like a focused, self-directed day. Chilled a bit more in the hostel common area.
9:30 PM: Walked to McDonald's, not a nice walk. Got the same combo for 153RS; the machines had too many steps. Destroyed an Indian guy at chess 2x, super easy; he said camel=bishop, elephant=rook... guy wasnt too bright.
Nov 26 (Agra: Routine & Financial Planning)
Slept okay; dorm was pretty quiet. Woke 7:30, only one guy making noise. Rose 9:00 AM. Paid for another night (300RS cash). Chilled, pretty relaxed.
11:00 AM: Walked along the boulevard, grabbed local thali (120RS) beside the East Gate.
Chilled in the hostel's empty common area, did another flexibility workout (light crawls, handstands easier). Did hip CARs and advanced Cossacks again, which felt good. Chatted with GPT awhile about SEO (INP+LCP+CLS), considering combining some menus.
3:30 PM: Grabbed lunch near the main Taj gate (300RS chicken thali), definitely pricier than Paharganj (120RS for the same). Burger spot around the corner (135RS chicken burger) didn't want to return change. Really did not feel like going into the Taj Mahal due to long lines, security, and bureaucracy.
Chilled awhile in the hostel, chatted with GPT.
8:00 PM: Grabbed chicken spot next door, half kg with rotis (310RS). Chatted more with GPT about portfolio management (VTI+VXUS provides best control and lowest fees). Figured out WS reporting and trading. Did back neck bridges on the bunk (2 sets), awkward. Cold shower again.
Nov 27 (Agra: Training Focus & Financial Strategy)
Private dorm for the first time this trip. Slept okay, woke 7:50, rose 9:20 - a lazy morning. Made regular coffee with the hot water dispenser. A short guy was dusting; told him to stop as dust was flying everywhere. Drank more coffee, paid for another night (300RS) - oddly hard to leave.
Walked south toward the metro. Found Mr. DIY, restocked toothbrushes and razors for 200RS (card). Found Burger King, got a regular 2-chicken-burger combo (103RS). The weed guy saw me again; got more cookies. Walked to the park by the Taj: pull-ups on high bars (10), front lever pull on a busted kid's swing (6+5). Wide grip pull-ups (7,7). Walked around the Taj wall, found a secluded area, saw a mystical animal - a bull/horse hybrid with 2 short horns - it ran away fast. Did light agility drills, abductors on a bench 2x7-10 (right side weak), feet elevated push-ups 2x15. Did hand strikes against a tree (~200) to develop wrist stiffness through different impact directions. Did kicks against a tree, roughly 50. Walked back to the hostel.
Grabbed chicken next door again (half kg with 3 rotis, 320RS). Shower, rest.
8:00 PM: Walked back to the Taj wall, which seemed far. Found an empty place across Join Me Cafe for the second time, chicken curry with roti only 220RS. Tried Chia Cafe with a Taj view (silhouette in the dark); they tried to sell beer not on the menu for 300INR, i said it should be cheaper since they don't have a license. Chicken sandwich 250RS, solid.
Chilled more in the hostel, chatted with GPT; said WS FX costs 1.5%, maybe use Wise for USD conversion for VTI.
Nov 28 (Agra to Jaipur: Stressful Transit)
Slept in until 10:00 AM. Made coffee with a small stove (no hot water). Snack on banana and nuts. Checked out of Rahgir 11:30 AM - quiet place but no hot water and strange draft in the dorm; no washroom on the main floor.
Walked to Agra Fort again, found a small viewing point on the east side. Tried Join Me Cafe again (chicken thali with lassi, 280RS, solid); couldn't brush teeth due to no counter and owners watching. Metro from Agra Fort to the terminal station (15RS). Walked to Agra Fort railway; only one ticket type available at the counter (110RS at 2:40 PM). Walked around a small local market near the station; big mosque - couldn't go in unless wearing their scarf.
Boarded the train at 2:20 PM; not too busy. The train got packed at the first junction/second stop; had to stand in the aisle the rest of the way. Tried to do some stretching while standing; the train had weird smells depending on acceleration. A heavy-set girl kept offering me her seat - politely declined (think she liked me).
Arrived at Jaipur Junction 7:10 PM. Another local guy followed me around, trying to sell a tuk-tuk ride. Scoped out two hostels and shook the guy off. Booked Pink Nest for 1 night (252RS). Felt fatigue hit walking along a dusky highway with no signs of food - the first impression of Jaipur was a total shithole. Patience noticeably reduced.
Found a local chicken spot, ordered a quarter oily chicken with rotis and water (290RS, solid). Reached Pink Nest around 9:00 PM, messaged staff on WhatsApp; a guy eventually came down. Paid 250R cash for 1 night. Saw a fire on the terrace making milk tea. Cold shower/cleaned up. Chatted with a French guy who did the 3 Everest Passes trek. Bed early (10 PM).
Nov 29 (Jaipur: Laundry, Forts, and Fatigue)
Dorm packed but quiet. Rose 8 AM; slept okay, was fatigued from the train. Found a washing machine, inquired, and was quoted 200R. Found a makeshift table, made coffee outside the dorm. The coffee hot water didn't work. Got the French guy Pierre's contact; he's been traveling for 10 months. Did a double wash cycle. Paid 450RS for another night + laundry.
Walked around northeast to the City Gate area, got pulled into an art shop. Not much food. Walked back to the hostel to dry laundry. Hung laundry in the laundry room and socks outside to dry.
Walked south, then east, trying to find food; only found a small spot with a 90rs dosa. Returned to the hostel to organize.
Walked out toward the city fort again, felt fatigue. Walked around a few parks, walked up to Nahargarh Fort, walked around the walls; no other people. Realized missing lunch. Hiked back down, tried to find a chicken place - nothing, only momos (50RS veg). India is being a pain.
Hostel collected laundry, which dried faster using the ceiling fan. Shower, rest; felt a bit of shivers, might be catching something.
6:40 PM: Walked back along yesterday's path, trying to find the chicken spot. Found another meat place, turned out to be liver; paid 50RS for 2 rotis. Found another chicken spot (super fast service and best service so far), 2 drums with 2 chapattis only 190RS.
Walked to a stupid amusement park, decided to ride the Ferris wheel for some reason (100RS) - so lame. Tried the swing boat, not many people, but there was a loud, stinky diesel generator beside it, so walked off. Walked through the bazaar - just useless textiles; Jaipur is pretty shit.
Nov 30 (Jaipur: Corporate Hostel & Local Chicken)
Woke 9:00 AM, rose 9:30; slept okay (private dorm). Made regular coffee with RO water in the laundry room; the hostel was quiet. Frenchman Alex from Mexico won his fight. Chilled awhile at a makeshift workspace.
Left Pink Nest 11:20 AM; a cheap hostel that was good to me. Took the metro to the railway station (15RS); overcharged by 40RS (faranged again), complained and got another 20RS. Short walk to Hostelier Hostel. Complained about their stupid online form. Got an early check-in (second-floor room with a door code) - solid lockers but no shelves and a grated partition (poor privacy design). Chilled on the rooftop restaurant (Silly Kanteen), ordered Akuri Toast (scrambled egg with toast, 180RS), a bit pretentious. Found some weird hairs on the plate, told the guy to take it back; he brought a new one. Did some handstands in the restaurant; could tell the staff thought I was weird - way too many people working at this chain hostel.
2:30 PM: Walked around; near the hostel, there seemed to be no food at all - just traffic and trash. Walked back to the train station area - all garbage and no food. What a shithole Jaipur is!
Walked back to the hostel, tried to order a chicken combo; 15 minutes later, the guy said there was no chicken. Eventually ordered beans with rice for 180RS - way too much for rice and beans. Locked out of the room due to the stupid pin pad; at least the towel was free.
Shower, rest, avoided going outside since nothing was around. The check-in kid bugged me in bed, saying the cafe was closing - moved my laptop; annoying and intrusive hostel. Rested more, read about the Clarey housing crash.
Moved back to the rooftop; more workers were gone, more space. 7:30 PM: Chatted with son for 35 minutes; he guessed I was in India right away, which was legit impressive. Asked about first-world/third-world countries; most friends have both parents; none of frinds have gf or bf. Walked toward the chicken place from yesterday; the streets were not quite as bad as expected. A few chicken spots were all packed; sat with three other locals at a table at the same place as yesterday (chicken with rotis only 175RS - local prices). Walked back, ran into a local kid by different hostel; he said he's traveled to lots of countries, wanted to give me a ride back. Declined, but noticed a Canadian flag in the car, so decided to accept the car ride offer back to Hostelier.
Chilled in the roof cafe, not too productive.
Dec 1 (Jaipur to Pushkar: Train, Training, and Scams)
Told a guy talking on the phone to shut up. Some idiot's phone alarm was going off constantly, but slept okay until 7:30. Rose 8:35. Made coffee with hot water and paper cups. No trash bin on the roof despite eight workers. Ordered eggs with toast (120RS).
Left Hostelier corporate hell 11:35 AM. Walked to Jaipur Junction Market (not connected to the metro). No clear signs about tickets, auto-rickshaw scams, everybody trying to squeeze ahead. Found the unreserved counter; the first guy said no trains - useless af. The adjacent counter got a 3:00 PM ticket to Ajmer (80RS). No time or platform on the ticket; the display didn't show Ajmer. Went back to ask the guy, who had to write the info on the ticket - so disorganized. I easily pushed crowding people away.
Accidentally walked into a slum area by the station road exit. Twenty kids surrounded me while sitting on a bench; walked out fast, felt grateful for my speed. Walked through thick traffic to Circle Park. Found some kids' equipment and decided to do an easy push/pull workout. Did recline pulls 3 sets, dips full ROM 2x15 + Oakley bag (7kg) 7, 10 reps full ROM, 1-arm push-ups 3x10. Did inversion kick with explosive start (first time) 2x7. Did half front levers 2 sets, back lever. A kid asked if I was a "sportsplayer" - lol. An old guy said "steel body!"
Walked back toward the bus station, stopped at a corner spot for lunch at 2:40 PM, chicken curry with 2 naans (280RS), not great, got the neck piece.
Waited for the train at the station; it was apparently delayed. Platform 4 was packed. Asked the tourist office around 3:25 PM; they said just wait in tour office - sayt in the office for about 10 minutes was better than waiting on the platform. The 3:00 PM train arrived at 3:35 PM, totally packed. Walked ahead toward the front, found the AC bunk section surprisingly empty, got a top bunk with a curtain - hoped nobody would ask. A crazy but welcome contrast between the platform/seating chaos versus the empty bunks. The train went non-stop to Ajmer station, reaching over 110kph. Arrived at Ajmer station 5:25 PM; surprised I got a private AC bunk for 80RS; nobody checked tickets on the train yet. Avoided the regular auto-rickshaw shakedown, walked 2km to the bus stop. Jumped on a chicken bus to Pushkar; a woman with a radio was demanding tickets from other passengers - chaos - excess workers in India. Paid 25RS, got a seat, but the bus was totally packed; getting off at Pushkar was a pain - had to push my way out.
Arrived at Pushkar 6:30 PM. Walked to Suri Guesthouse, the closest from the stop and one of cheapest. Used Booking for 1 night (468RS cash, big room, lodge style locks). Walked along the main bazaar road, grabbed falafel (150RS, good size). Walked more, found ghats smaller than Varanasi. Tried a mango smoothie at a Wi-Fi cafe (100RS). Found a couple more guesthouses (300-700INR). Tried another falafel spot on the same street (150RS, huge wrap).