Vivid Photography: Jaipur's 'Flower Market'

Impressions of India: 24

I was told about Jaipur's Flower Market by an Indian friend and it's not in my guidebook - which explains why I was the single Westerner there. I'd started out early, trying to beat the worst of the ferocious heat, but what should have been a 15-minute tuk tuk ride to it turned into an hour-long one. First the driver didn't seem to know where the Flower Market was, then made a diversion and unscheduled stop for chai and 'just looking - no buying' at an antique emporium (an opportunity I declined with some vehemence), and then another in a back street while he disappeared, without explanation, for 20 minutes only to bring back his 'English-speaking' son (who did no such thing) to replace him in the driving seat. While I was waiting though, I was able to get a few lovely shots of nearby locals.

Finally I arrived at the elusive Flower Market, which turned out to be a sacks-of-garland-flowers and fruit and veg market rather than any cornucopia of blooms, but it was lively and colourful and well worth the visit anyway.

This motorbike was so fully-loaded with garland-sacks and these 2 lads that they needed a friend's help to heave it off its stand.

I accepted an offered chai from this sweet tea-stall operator who had signs of horrible burns on his chest and neck and upper forehead. I can only imagine there was some sort of chai-cooking explosion, but he also looked expertly-treated and healed.