My Rough Guide describes Bikaner as a 'crowded, smog-filled commercial city lacking most of the charm of its desert sister, Jaisalmer' (roughly). These words, along with the condescension of the embassy-types in Delhi, had prepared me for the worst; if this was the best to be said about a place in India (a country famed for its crowds, pollution, and urban uniformity), then what kind of life was I going to be leading?
My impressions have so far been the exact opposite. The streets are relatively clean, the air (especially outside the city) is clear, traditional architecture abounds, there is little desperate poverty, and the lack of a real tourist culture means the locals are much friendlier than elsewhere. So what if there's no towering citadel or spa-ashram-- here's a National Research Centre on Camel!
My impressions have so far been the exact opposite. The streets are relatively clean, the air (especially outside the city) is clear, traditional architecture abounds, there is little desperate poverty, and the lack of a real tourist culture means the locals are much friendlier than elsewhere. So what if there's no towering citadel or spa-ashram-- here's a National Research Centre on Camel!
No comments:
Post a Comment