Travel Bug - Jaipur Again and Albert Hall Museum

Went to the Albert Hall Museum with NP and Pavan on the off day. This is one of the things I had missed the last time and we wanted to go to MI Road anyway so we headed there. It’s a nice little museum, the state museum, built in 1887 and designed by Samuel Swinton Jacob. Like it was the practice in those days the names of the engineer, architect, even the clerks and mistries are displayed on the stone - not the dignitaries and ministers like today. Also even the cost of building it (some 5 lakh if I remember right). Would be good to see that cost be displayed on projects like these nowadays.

NP outside Albert Hall Museum

The path into and around the museum was guided. We saw the usual collections of textiles, weapons, pottery items, sculptures etc. I was impressed by one stained glass window on top, an Egyptian mummy in the Egyptian section, some paintings about the Ramayana and Mahabharata. 

Stained glass window on top

NP and a huge shield

As we enter the museum there are portraits of the kings and queens of Jaipur. Out into the balmy, mid afternoon sun which is beautiful in these parts.

The Egyptian mummy

 We walked to the Masala Chowk food court a few minutes away. Entry to the chowk is 10 bucks apiece and then you go to the various counters serving chaat, dosa, lassi, etc. There is a nice seating place in the open and in the winter sun it was just heavenly.

In Masala Chowk

Raj Kachori

NP and Pavan got something called raj kachori which was a full meal in itself, then some paani puri, then some kesar chai. Fulfilled, we went back to the cab and headed off to MI road where we could not resist the lassi at lassiwala and then headed down the street vowing not to touch food and drink again. But the sight of India Coffee Shop drew us in and we sat and then ordered a mutton dosa and coffee. It was another experience sitting there in the India Coffee Shop. 

Entrance to the India Coffee House - blast from the past

Inside RK Narayan's world almost

One could sit there for hours discussing stuff if one has the right company. I noticed one lady sitting all by herself, facing the wall, and eating her lunch in peace. Or two old ladies who caught up over a meal. Or old friends. This place has character and history.

Back to the hotel after a good day’s outing.