It is 5:30 AM, and I am in the back of an Uber in Jaipur, India. We have left the main road and are working our way through the neighborhoods. My eyes are wide open as I soak it all in, and I am on high alert as I travel this morning alone.
The car pulls to a stop, and it is pitch black. Although I have been tracking our route on Google Maps as we go along the way, I get out of the car and really can't see anything. I can hear the unmistakable sound of the Muslim call to prayer in the early morning and catch a glimpse of bicycles in the distance. "Ok, I see bikes," I think to myself. I must be in the right place.
A man approaches me, introduces himself as Khushal, and welcomes me over. He brings me a folding chair and asks me to sit as he continues to get ready. I look around the desolate and dark street and ask myself, "What on Earth am I doing? Am I too adventurous of a traveler for my own good?"
As an avid fan of bike tours, I have enjoyed them worldwide. From Tokyo to Montreal, Paris to Mexico City, I find that a bike tour is the best way to see a city.
This particular morning, I am doing a bike tour of Jaipur, India. I expect it to be a typical bike tour: I will visit the landmarks and hear the history and stories behind the location, all while pedaling through the city. A trio of Japanese women join me, and I am relieved to have company in the dark hour of the early morning.
After testing our bikes, we illuminate the handlebar lights and start. I really can't see anything, and I have no idea what the pavement looks like to navigate rocks, pebbles, or other hazards. I decided to stick to my guide, Himmat, like glue, and I was immediately behind him. I can use him to determine where to go if he isn't hitting anything.
We first stop to feed local cows. In the Hindu culture, cows are considered sacred. We learn that every part of the cow is used for society, including the urine to cure a fever and the dung to plaster and insulate the walls. We continue to Hawa Mahal, the Wind Palace, and the bridge that terminates at the Prince Albert Hall Museum. The bridge is closed to vehicular traffic in the early morning hours for recreation, and we can ride freely without navigating the chaotic traffic scene of Jaipur.
I always say that the best way to understand a community is to find and visit a market. We parked our bikes and walked through two food markets, where primarily women sell vegetables from the rural countryside. We also visited the flower market. This was fascinating because men and women were seated on the ground, creating incredibly gorgeous wedding floral arrangements. If you have seen any media about Indian weddings, you will know they are quite an event. Brides go to the floral market with their pictures and Pinterest boards and place orders for the workers seated on the ground. I was able to sit with the flowers in the market, and getting such an authentic insight into the daily life of a community was indeed an unbelievable experience.
However, I would say that the highlight of the bike tour was biking at Govind Dev Ji Temple. This Hindu temple is considered the most significant and sacred to its devotees. Each morning, people congregate for a morning prayer of ritual and chanting. I couldn't believe we were encouraged and embraced to join this daily ritual. The energy was indescribable, and although I didn't necessarily understand what they were praying to or for, the beautiful nature of the moment is one I will always cherish.
This wasn't just any bike tour. We were getting an up-close and personal experience of the daily life of a Jaipur citizen. The quest to 100 countries is entirely about exploring the globe, meeting new people, and understanding a culture different from my own.
I was disappointed to leave the morning ritual so soon, but this is a short, high-energy, early morning event. The attendees needed to start their day.
The bike tour ended with breakfast at some local street food stalls. After my experience in Stone Town, Zanzibar, I had sworn off all street food for all eternity. My tour companions were three Japanese women currently living in Chennai, India. When our exceptional guide, Himmat, shared that we would enjoy samosa kachori and jalebi, the three women were excitedly smiling and cheering. I determined that if, as non-locals, they were willing to indulge, then I could do it.
I can't say enough about Himmat, Shivani, Himanshu, and Aman with Le Tour de India. Their pride in Jaipur was infectious . Despite the intense, chaotic scenes of the roads in Jaipur, I surprisingly felt extremely safe riding a bike across the city. When I first went down that dark and desolate road, I thought I was embarking on a bike tour that was typical around the world. Instead, I was treated to an incredibly authentic cultural experience that offered a glimpse into the daily life of a person living in Jaipur. That kind of experience is priceless.
My mission to find the positive stories in India was successful!
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