Saturday 31 March 2018

Book Review: Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaiswal





Book: Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows

Author: Balli Kaur Jaiswal 

Pages: 401

Read on: Kindle 

Read in: 4 hours 

Plot Summary: When Nikki takes a creative writing job at her local temple, with visions of emancipating the women of the community she left behind as a self-important teenager, she’s shocked to discover a group of barely literate women who have no interest in her ideals.

Yet to her surprise, the white dupatta of the widow hides more than just their modesty – these are women who have spent their lives in the shadows of fathers, brothers and husbands; being dutiful, raising children and going to temple, but whose inner lives are as rich and fruitful as their untold stories. 
But as they begin to open up to each other about womanhood, sexuality, and the dark secrets within the community, Nikki realises that the illicit nature of the class may place them all in danger.
East meets west and tradition clashes with modernity in a thought-provoking cross-cultural novel that might make you look again at the women in your life. 


Things I Liked:
  • Let's get it out of the way, right at the outset, this is a BRILLIANT book! You should read it because you will love it! 
  • Okay, so now that that's out of the way, let's get on with the review. First off, this book's premise is very, very interesting and fun. It is the story of a young British-Indian Sikh girl- Nikki- who takes on a part-time job at the gurudwara in Southall, supposedly, to teach Creative  Writing to Sikh widows. However, on her very first day, she realizes that most of the widows don't know how to write English. But when Nikki starts teaching them their A-B-Cs, she learns that the widows are more interested in recording their stories instead of learning the alphabet. That's how the widows start narrating their stories, which are quite, er, hilarious! 
  • Apart from the widows, Nikki and their back stories, which are interesting all on their own. The book is interspersed with the erotic stories and even an old murder mystery and another suspicious death. All of these different story lines make for an incredibly interesting and engaging read. There was so much going on in this book and the writer did a fantastic job with keeping these separate strands of the book coming together and never feeling like it was chaotic. 
  • The book talks about the important concept of honour in an Indian family and community and the sense of shame that sometimes shadows every move and every decision that we make. Especially women are policed and bullied into constantly toeing the line and are considered the custodians of honour. It made me so mad to read about some random dudes of the community appointing themselves as the moral police of the Sikh communist and going about policing young girls and women! Ugh! Why are people so vile! But this is a sad reality even though I wish it weren't. 
  • The author also does a great job of showing the struggle of the Indian diaspora. The kids born and raised abroad are perpetually torn between fully assimilating with the "western" way of life (which they need to do in order to 'fit in' in schools) and staying true to their Indian culture and traditions. The ridiculous dichotomy between growing up in a western, progressive milieu and, then, expected to have an arranged marriage with an Indian boy/girl from the same caste and religion! We also get to see the dangerous consequences when girls want to marry someone outside of the community. 
  • The book also has a little murder mystery angle going, which is nicely done.  
  • The bottomline is this- Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows- is a heartwarming, wonderful book about female friendships, repressed women finding joys in little things and, ultimately, about finding a way to belong to your people and community in your own way. 
Rating: 5/5 
Like I said, this is a fantastic, fun, thought-provoking book! Highly recommend! 



Friday 30 March 2018

Monthly Favourites/// January + February + March 2018 Favourites.

Hello! 

I love doing monthly favourites post and even seeing other folk's monthly favourites. 
Somehow, this year, I've been all over the place and just not ended up listing my favourite at the end of each month. 
When January ended my parents were leaving town and I was busy with seeing them off and once again getting used to running my own house.
By February end I had just come back from Jaipur and still in the throes of unpacking.
So I skipped listing faves and just got on with other posts. 
I am at least happy that I got to share my Reading Wrap-Ups for both months. 
It makes me so happy to have a proper record of my Reading in 2018 on the blog. 

So I figured I'd combine all 3 months and do a massive collective favourites post.
So grab an iced drink and let's jump right into it..


1. Travel to Jaipur/// Going to Jaipur is obviously one of my most favourite things to have happened the last 3 months. Jaipur was very high up on my list of places to go and I am so happy to have checked it off my list. 


2. Daily Journaling/// I decided in the beginning of the year to write a page a day in my daily journal. I am happy to report that I have so far kept up splendidly in my writing everyday resolution. It's so good to see all the days of the year documented and having a place to vent my thoughts and feelings. It's so healing and soothing. 


3. Pouches from Color Life/// These pouches are perfect to hold stationery bits and fit so much stuff. 
Plus, they are utterly beautiful! 


4. Silver Love/// The last 3 months have included some very lovely silver jewellery. These earrings are some of my new favourites that I bought from Silverstreak. They are so gorgeous. 


5. Turning a year older/// In February I completed another circle round the sun as always I did special things big and small to celebrate my birthday month. I had a good birthday month. I bought books and things for myself to treat myself. And I got so much love, wishes and even presents from my friends and family. It made my month! 


6. Favourite Bags/// My two favourite bags from the last 3 months are the one above- a embroidered sling bag I bought from a shop outside Hawa Mahal. It looks tiny but fits so much stuff and it so strikingly beautiful. 


The other favourite bag was my travel companion on my Jaipur trip, my Burlap People Lil Sister backpack in Lavender. I've had this mini backpack for over 6 months now and have used her sporadically but I properly used her during my Jaipur trip and loved how perfect she was to hold all of my travel essentials. 


7. Reading Life + #FemmeMarch/// My reading life has been super good in both January and March. February, due to travel and travel planning and birthday shenanigans was a bit of dismal reading month. March has been full of reading wonderful women writers and enjoying diverse voices from across the globe, I will share more in my Monthly Reading Wrap-Up. 
I have been loving my reading so far this year. 
As of right this moment, I have read 36 books in 2018! 
Not bad at all! 


8. Favourite Films/// I've been watching so many films in the last 3 months. 
Two of my absolute favourites are both Marvel films. 
Thor Ragnarok... I am not the biggest Thor fan, the last two movies were fun but not my favourites. Honestly, my favourite aspect of Thor films has always been dear old Loki! But this film was BOMB! It was kick-ass, funny and so entertaining. 
So good! 


Spiderman Homecoming was so adorable. I love Tom Holland as Spiderman. I frankly felt both the last avatars of Spiderman were both such squibs! Ugh! But this film was so good. I want to re-watch it soon. 

Other films I've enjoyed in the last 3 months are..

Get Out 
Ferdinand 
Dhananjoy- a Bengali film. 

9. Favourite TV Shows/// I am a TV addict...well almost. 
Some of the TV Show loves from the last 3 months are..

The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel which is a wonderful mix of funny, poignant and a period piece set in New York..all good things! 


I've also loved Death in Paradise's newest season. 


Apart from that I have been loving Brooklyn 9-9.
Lovesick
Modern Family. 
Blackish. 
&
Instinct which is new but quite nice. 


10. Spring Blooms/// Nothing is better than seeing flowers blooming all over in excitement for Spring. 
Flowers just make my heart sing. 

I honestly can't quite believe that the first 3 months of the year are already done with. Where does time go?
It's been good so far in and for that I am grateful. 
I just hope the rest of the year goes just as happily. 




Wednesday 28 March 2018

Vignettes: Bougainvillaea Blooms.






In my humble opinion, nothing announces Spring quite like the sight of Bougainvillea blooming all over our streets. 

In the most unsuspecting of places there will be a riot of colour. Most often in it's trademark pink but often in white, orange and even a muted yellow. 

Ah! The simple beauty of this classic flower. 

As much as I despise summer, seeing these flowers burst out in abundance is most certainly the one thing summer gets right! 

:) 

These particular flowers were photographed at Samode Haveli in Jaipur. A stunning property with the most beautiful flowers! 



Tuesday 27 March 2018

Fashion Haul: Anokhi Jaipur- Kurtas + Pouches + Dupatta + Tunic.


Hello! 

Summer is here and how! 
Bombay has heated up over night. 
It is close to 40 degrees and it's not even April yet! 
UGH! 

Lucky for me I have my summer wardrobe all sorted thanks to my recent trip to Anokhi.
Anokhi is one of my absolute favourite places to shop from. Their hand block printed kurtas, tunics and tops and stoles all scream summer comfort. 

On our recent trip to Jaipur, we stopped off at the Anokhi store on our first day there and bought a few things. 

Later on..on our second last day we went to the Anokhi Block Print Museum and visited the shop there too and picked up some things from there as well. What can I say? I have never come back empty handed from Anokhi! 

:) 


My sister picked up a couple of kurtas, this basic and soothing pink print kurta is one of the first things she saw and loved. 


She also got this dupatta, from the Museum shop and this print and it's colours are just sublime and will go with multiple items in her closet. 


The only clothing item I picked up was this GORGEOUS tunic in this utterly fabulous print. I secretly want more items in this print and I can't wait to hit their Bombay store soon. 


This mint and yellow and green print kurta is another thing my sister picked up. 



Prints on prints on prints! 
I even picked up two handkerchiefs because why not?! 


We also picked up these pouches from the Museum Shop.
I am currently using the mint one (which happens to my our all time favourite Anokhi print) to hold my Kindle. It fits my Kindle perfectly and since it's slightly padded it keeps it safe as well. 


I will share the outfits properly once I've worn them and styled them. 

We also got notebooks from Anokhi, but I've already shared those, you can find it here. 

My summer is set! 
Lots of cottons. 
Lots of prints.
Lots of colour. 

:) 


Sunday 25 March 2018

Stationery Sunday//// January 2018 Bullet Journal Set-Up.

Hello! 

How has your Sunday been? 
Good I hope!
 Mine was chilled out. 

Watched some TV shows. 
Napped. 
Talked to my parents who are re-doing their bathroom and my Dad has installed a rain shower which he now claims will mean that I will not be leaving the shower! My parents are always complaining that once I enter the bathroom I never leave! 

I can't wait to go home again. 

Today I want to share my January Bujo Set-Up. I know I am super late but I just completely forgot to share these pictures. 
My Bujo set-up for Feb and March is pretty much the same but I will be sharing that soon too. 

Let's jump into it..


I used this Traveller's Notebook from The Planner Society for my Bujo. I love the floral print and the colours- pink and purple of this notebook. It has four strings and is great to hold multiple inserts and is great iff you want one place to hold multiple notebooks. For me, I like changing my Bujo every month so I moved out of it. 



This TN was offered to subscribers to purchase as a part of a special offering from the Planner Society folks. This is a Pocket of Field Notes sized TN, but with a very generous 1 inch spine, which means that this can fit upto 6-8 pocket sized inserts or even an A6 notebook or two. 




I used an insert that was kindly sent with the notebook and matches it perfectly. 




I also kept a super cute sticky notes set that came in a Planner Society Kit. This owl is the cutest plus super handy to jot down things in my Bujo and set reminders. 




The front page, decorated using diecuts and stickers from various Planner Society Kits. I kept the theme floral. 





As usual the front few pages were my Wishlist for the month and my Goals for the month. 



A small sample of some of my pages. 


I did keep two notebooks in if I needed another one to jot notes or random list making, however I didn't end up using it. 


I also used this pocket insert from Lyra and Co, to hold stickers, washi tape samplers and diecuts that I use during the course of the month. 


The back of the notebook has an inbuilt flap to hold planning supplies as well. 

Planner Goodies///

Traveller's Notebook + Diecuts + Stickers + Flower Paper Clip + Inserts- The Planner Society 

Pocket Insert- Lyra and Co. 

Pens- Paper Geek Co. and Zebra Sarasa 

Pencil Bag- La Dolce Vita 

Saturday 24 March 2018

Book Review: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng.




Book: Little Fires Everywhere 

Author: Celeste Ng 

Pages: 356 

Publisher: Little Brown 

Read On: Kindle 

How Long it Took Me Read: 3 days 

Plot Summary: Everyone in Shaker Heights was talking about it that summer: how Isabelle, the last of the Richardson children, had finally gone around the bend and burned the house down. 
In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is meticulously planned - from the layout of the winding roads, to the colours of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principal is playing by the rules.
Enter Mia Warren - an enigmatic artist and single mother- who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenage daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than just tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the alluring mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past, and a disregard for the rules that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community.
When the Richardsons' friends attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle erupts that dramatically divides the town and puts Mia and Mrs. Richardson on opposing sides. Suspicious of Mia and her motives, Mrs. Richardson becomes determined to uncover the secrets in Mia's past. But her obsession will come at unexpected and devastating costs to her own family - and Mia's.

General Thoughts: I read Celeste Ng's debut novel Everything I Never Told you back when it came out and while I really enjoyed the writing style and the premise of the book, there some plot points and some of the character's motivations that didn't quite work for me. You can read my review of it HERE.  When I knew she had written another book I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it. But I decided to give it a go since I did enjoy the writing of her debut novel and I had heard quite a few people loving this book. 

Things I Loved: 

1. Books about families and the family unit are some of my favourite things to read about. Honestly, there is so much you can do with a family, especially the slightly dysfunctional ones. This book is full of families of all kinds. The traditional upper middle class white family in the affluent suburbs, a mother daughter duo who live untraditionally and a couple struggling to have a baby and a single Chinese immigrant woman fighting for her right to have her baby back. All kinds of families and so much interesting and engaging reading material. 

2. The writing as expected was wonderful. 

3. There is so much going on in this book- the Richardson family and each of it's member is going through something, the fight to adopt a Chinese-American baby and of course Mia and Pearl. The writer does a great job of keeping of these different strands of the story going and never once making all of it feel like too much. 

4. This is the kind of book that will make you stop and think. Really think about the issues on hand and where you stand on said issues. Who should raise a child? The birth mother who in the grips of postpartum depression abandoned her? Or do the adoptive parents have more rights? I found myself mulling over this and I love when books do this. 

5. The characters in this book are phenomenally well-done. Each of them was well-crafted and entirely believable, yet no one in this book is flawless. Everyone here, even the ones who start out as inherently good or the ones you ought to be rooting for are real and flawed to an extent. 

6. The setting of this book, in the 90s was something I enjoyed as well. 

7. One the main themes of the book is motherhood. And what is the best kind of motherhood. Is it a mother who plans and is organised and is in someways the ideal version of western motherhood? Or is the carefree and relaxed mother who is more your friend? Thought provoking stuff. 

Things I Didn't Like: 

Oh Man! I did like this book for most part and I did enjoy the time I spent with it but this is by no means a perfect book. 

1. Mia is supposed to be and is quite frankly portrayed as this beacon of love and light. She is shown as a great mother and even mother figure to other kids. But honestly, I found her quite annoying. She is nomadic for the heck of it and has this huge chip on her shoulder. And...I am trying not to give spoilers but once you know the true nature of Pearl's birth...ugh! I wanted to go and slap Mia and slap her hard! I lost all respect for her and honestly the whole book pitches one mother again the other but by the end I honestly thought Mrs. Richardson was a better person. 

2. The whole tussle for the baby was an interesting plot point but it's resolution in the book, personally broke my heart.  I was not a fan! 

3. The title of the book comes from an actual fire set by the youngest Richardson child..I though that this fire starter would have a bigger role in this story but we almost never even see her or get to know her. 

4. It also annoyed me that we were meant to dislike Mrs. Richardson from the very beginning. Now she isn't an amazing person or good through and through but I hated that we were meant to judge her and love Mia...who turns out to be quite despicable by the end of the book! 

5. The ending and it's open ended nature wasn't something I really liked either. 

Rating: 3.5/5 

I did enjoy this book for most part and I certainly liked it a whole lot better than Everything I Never Told You. 

Friday 23 March 2018

Book Review: There's Someone in Your House by Stephanie Perkins.



Book: There's Someone in Your House 

Author: Stephanie Perkins 

Pages: 306 

Publisher: Penguin 

Read on: Kindle 

How Long it Took Me To Read: 2 days 

Plot Summary: Over a year after her parents sent her away from Hawaii to live with her grandmother in landlocked Nebraska, Makani Young is still adjusting to her new life. She's made a small group of close friends and even flirted with romance, but her past in Hawaii is still hard to forget. 
And then . . . one by one the students of her new high school begin to die in a series of gruesome murders. Makani doesn't know who's next on the list. Between this, and a secret scorching relationship with the school weirdo, this school year may turn out to be one to die for . . . literally.

General Thoughts: I wanted to read this book since it came out but I heard quite a few mixed things and decided to wait and get it later. Earlier this month I had a pang to read something YA and thriller-ish and this book seemed like the perfect amalgamation of the two. So I got it on my Kindle and decided to read it for Femme March. 

Things I Liked: 

1. I've read two other books by the author before- Anna and The French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door. I skipped Isla and the Happily Ever After since my sister read and reviewed it and she wasn't entirely in love with the book. I loved the first two books and I enjoyed the authors writing style immensely. In this book, the writer has gone in a whole new direction from her previous body of work- moving from YA romance to a slasher/thriller. I was excited to see how she writes a new genre of book and I enjoyed both the writing and style. 

2. The thing I have loved best about Stephanie Perkins' books are the characters she crafts. She writes some of the best and fully fleshed out people in YA lit. I loved so many characters in her other books and this one, I am happy to report is more of the same. She has managed to write very believable and real and relatable characters. From Makani to Ollie to Darby and Alex  to Grandma Young and even Ollie's cop brother and even the characters that appear for fleeting moments are very well written and entirely memorable. 

3. The slasher aspect of the book was good fun too. I am a BIG fan of slasher films. Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer and movies in the same vein were some of my favourite films from the 90s. I am so bummed that they no longer make slasher films! :( So reading this book was like going back to an old, familiar favourite genre. 

4. The author doesn't compromise on the body count. You cannot accuse Stephanie Perkins of not killing enough people, the body count is pretty high! She doesn't shy away and the book is pretty hardcore...YA or not. Yet it isn't gory! I really appreciated that. 

5. This book has so much diversity and so much inclusiveness that it warmed my heart. Makani is bi-racial and there is also a trans teen- Darby- in the book, and all of this is handled so beautifully. It is just a part of the story and yet these important aspects are acknowledged and given importance. 

6. The friendships and relationships in the book are incredibly relatable and were some of the best bits in the book. 

7. What would a Stephanie Perkins book be without a romance? Even though this is thriller there is a romance here as well. Makani and Ollie and their romance was something I enjoyed quite a bit. It wasn't the main focus of the book but it was shown well and it wasn't overly sweet or mushy. In fact I think it was a fairly real depiction of teen relationships. 

8. Throughout the book you get to see the victims world and their thoughts before they are killed. You really do get to know them and when they are murdered you feel the loss. Unlike several other slasher films and books where the dead person is just that- a body and nothing more. I liked getting to know the victims. 

Things I Didn't Like: 

1. The murdered is revealed at 57% in. Yeah! You are told who the killer is and that is that. 

2. The killer's motive is super lame. It just doesn't fully make sense and is a little too convenient. 

3. Makani is supposed to have this big mystery in her past and that big thing is told in 65% into the book and honestly it wasn't even such a big deal. 

4. The book could have been a whole lot shorter, the middle portion lagged quite a bit. 

5. Overall, it was not the most satisfying thriller. 

6. There are no twists here at all! 

Rating: 2/5 


Book Review: The Storm Sister (The Seven Sisters Book 2) by Lucinda Riley




Book: The Storm Sister

Author: Lucinda Riley

Pages: 513

Read on: Kindle

Read in: 4.5 hours  


Plot Summary: Ally D'Aplièse is about to compete in one of the world's most perilous yacht races, when she hears the news of her adoptive father's sudden, mysterious death. Rushing back to meet her five sisters at their family home, she discovers that her father - an elusive billionaire affectionately known to his daughters as Pa Salt - has left each of them a tantalising clue to their true heritage. 

Ally has also recently embarked on a deeply passionate love affair that will change her destiny forever. But with her life now turned upside down, Ally decides to leave the open seas and follow the trail that her father left her, which leads her to the icy beauty of Norway . . . 
There, Ally begins to discover her roots - and how her story is inextricably bound to that of a young unknown singer, Anna Landvik, who lived there over a hundred years before, and sang in the first performance of Grieg's iconic music set to Ibsen's play 'Peer Gynt'. 
As Ally learns more about Anna, she also begins to question who her father, Pa Salt, really was. And why is the seventh sister missing?

General Thoughts: This is the second book in the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley. The review of the first book- The Seven Sisters can be read here.

Things I Liked: 
  • Ally's story takes us to the world of musical theatre in Norway in the mid-19th century. We get to see a young village girl- Anna- leave her pastoral life to move to Oslo along with a mentor. Anna's life in Oslo is restricted to her mentor's home- studying music and practising singing. I enjoyed reading about the lives of people in the music theatre business, especially, how it was for women, who wished to make a career in it. 
  • Ally's journey was far more dramatic and emotionally draining than Maia's (her elder sister, focus of the first book). She goes through a lot even before she sets off to discover her parentage. I guess, that is possibly why I was quite chuffed with the family that she did find in the end. 
  • This is a very well research book- just like the first one. There is a lot of research on Grieg- his life, work and legacy as well as on the occupation of Norway during World War II. The author has also put in a lot of details around sailing- really brings that sport to life! 
  • This book raises further questions about who Pa Salt really was! Ally's boyfriend makes some interesting discoveries about the last name of the sisters, which makes them wonder if that is indeed the same last name of their father! I think that by the time we get to the seventh book, we will end up learning more about Pa Salt himself and if he is really dead! 
Things I Didn't Like: 
  • Nothing major but I did think that the author spent a lot of time on something that was quite obviously going to happen in order for Ally to set off on her quest to find out about her past. I didn't think it was strictly necessary to have that event happen or for us as readers to get invested in that character. (Sorry about being vague, but don't want to spoil the book!) 

Rating: 4/5


Wednesday 21 March 2018

Travel Diary: Amer Fort, Jaipur + Tips {Photo Diary}



Hello! 

On our last full day in Jaipur, we woke up bright and  early and headed to Amer. 
We didn't take the elephant ride up to the fort, for multiple reasons but most importantly I just don't feel comfortable using an animal as a means of transport. I know, I would be feel guilty and worry about if the animals were being treated well or not! 
It just doesn't sit well with me. 
We drove up to the fort instead. If you are driving up as well, make sure you reach here before 11 am since the parking gets full by then. 


 

To be very honest, I was underwhelmed by Amer. 
I have been to 2 other forts in Rajasthan- Mehrangarh in Jodhpur and Lalgarh in Bikaner and both of those, especially Mehrangarh was simply breath taking. 
Amer was huge and I could see some it's grandeur but most of Amer looked quite derelict and badly maintained. Especially the former Queen's living area had peeling off paint and dented walls. 
:(



The fort itself is an imposing structure and is very, very vast. You need about 3 hours (minimum) to do full justice to the many different palaces and other spots of interest within the fort complex. It is advisable to go to Amer on a weekday as we went on a Saturday and it was insanely crowded! We could hardly see anything properly and couldn't take as many pictures either without other people in the frame! 




Amer was PACKED and crawling with not just tourists of all kinds but also local folks trying to sell you stuff! WTF! Inside the fort! It was not pleasant being constantly hassled and having postcards, bags and souvenirs shoved in our faces. We also witnessed a pretty big fist fight breaking out between a couple of these salesmen and the police had to get involved and break up the fight. It didn't feel good or safe TBH! 



The sheer size of Amer will take your breath away.
It is massive and it's hard to imagine real people ever calling it home but I can imagine enemy armies being scared to approach it. It must have been a formidable fort.


A lot of the walls were adorned with simple art. 


A Krishna and Gopi art on a wall in the Queen's living quarters. 
See the peeling paint..broke my heart. I wish they would look after this place a little better. 


Ah! With views like this I was willing to ignore the milling tourists and the heat. 
Just look at it! 
If this were my home I would never, ever leave. 
The art and colours are simply brilliant. 


On a side note, while I was here I couldn't help but notice how much Good Earth is inspired by this art style. 
I honestly could stare at this for hours. 


More beauty. 



The Royal Gardens...sadly not quite in bloom. 


These were the summer residences of the royalty. There was an intricate water flowing system that coupled with the summer breeze acted as a cooling system. How freaking clever and innovative! 


The walls of the Summer Palace were inlaid with ivory and at one point in time precious gems and mirror work. Sadly, some tourists in the past have vandalised and stolen bits and pieces. People are the worst! Who would think of ruining a monument such as this?! For shame! 




This must be a good place to live. 



The Diwan-i-Khaas is a work of art. 
Mirror and hand-painted detailing all around the mirrors and on the walls and even the ceilings. This style of art is typical of the Rajasthan school of art, rich with floral details and intricate work. 


So much beauty. Too bad there were so many people pushing around and taking a million selfies. I wish they would just stop clicking pictures of their own faces and just look at the beauty and history around them for a change! 



TIPS FOR AMER FORT/// 

1. Go as early as you can. The earlier the better. As the day wears on it gets impossibly hot to wander and explore. 

2. Sunscreen up like your life depends on it. A lot of the fort is exposed to direct sunlight and it's best to be protected. 

3. Carry water, a lot of it. 

4. Wear comfy shoes. There is a lot of walking around so don't even think of forgoing comfy footwear. 

5. Getting a guide might be a good idea since there is a lot to see. But do ensure you don't let them rush you. We saw guides telling people that they could show them the whole fort in under an hour. No! Take your time. 

6. You could alternatively also get an audio guide. 

7. We didn't get a guide and we wandered about on our own and took ample breaks to catch our breath and drink water and just sit and take in the views. A lot of people were finding spots to sit and just be. Decide on what works for you and how you want to go about seeing the place.