The other side of the Hawa Mahal

or Wind Palace, seen from the 7th storey of the Isarlat tower.  From there I could look over the whole of the city and see how well defended it was by the hills surrounding it on 3 sides.  All the ridges were lined with walls and forts. The tower was built as a victory memorial by the eldest of the first two sons of Jai Singh11 who battled for the succession in 1749.  The stairs inside were like none I'd seen before they were really just a ramp with gentle ridges - hideous to come down - and all the walls were splattered with betel juice.  It is hard to imagine that the city has been built on a desert - all new buildings have hugely deep foundations down through  impacted sand.

The dental appointment was held, injections asked for, surgery performed and stitches applied.  Am still numb so it was possible to go out for a while - had a lassi to drink (liquid yoghurt) from a beautiful clay mug which I smashed afterwards.   They are only made, dried and washed once and then used once - when smashed they turn to mud again - so practical and green. Only cold liquids allowed today - but all is well.