Once again, I am fortunate to have received a Fulbright Senior Specialist grant. Ten years ago I organized museum studies courses at Hanyang University in South Korea in collaboration with two Korean colleagues. A whirlwind of six weeks in the classrooms at the Ansan and Seoul campuses, working with staffs of two regional museums, participating in conferences and lots and lots of museum visits followed. It was a true adventure.

This year, I’m posted to the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur, India, to lead what I’m calling an intensive museum studies seminar. The request was for a museum professional to teach graduate students the ins and outs of object documentation, i.e. cataloging and researching collections, and exhibition development specifically with regional archaeological material.

Yes, the flight to Delhi was long with a non-functioning tv screen. I am still not comfortable watching or reading on the phone, instead I opened to one of my New Yorker magazines and slept. When we were nearing arrival, my neighbor started speaking to me … She’s also a Fulbrighter posted to somewhere in the distant south of India. What a coincidence.

Because of flight times, the first night was spent in a hotel near the Delhi airport. Aerocity is a dystopian aggregation of high rise, square buildings somewhere near the airport; housed there are hotels, offices, coworking spaces, and a “mall.” Google Aerocity and take a look; I call it a corral of hotels when talking to a friend who had been there. After a short night’s sleep, thanks to my friend, insomnia, I took a stroll to see. Cheerful, upbeat messages surround you.

The mall is embraced by between and underground several building blocks. Affirmations fill a number of spaces.

A high level of security is enforced in all of Aerocity. Vehicles entering the hotel dropoff or parking have to pop their car hoods for an explosive check. Guests enter through an x-ray arbor; their luggage is also x-rayed. My small covered knife was detected. To enter the area of the mall, you and your handbag are once again scanned.

What I found were quite a variety of offerings of food hall type restaurants with different varieties of Indian food, ramen, Dunkin Donuts, and Pizza Hut. I’m fascinated by the variety of donuts offered overseas that do not appear at my neighborhood store. Here it included … orange sunrise and pineapple paradise and NY cheesecake, tiramisu flavors, and milkcake.

Next stop, my home for the next few weeks, Jaipur. I was graciously met at the airport by my hostess and taken to the University Guest House. I don’t know how it compares to other uni guest houses in India, but it’s pretty Spartan., though comfortable enough

Part of the adventure. Meals are provided in a Dining Hall. Dinner was tasty, though I really don’t know what I was eating!

I started the next day with a simple breakfast then took off in search of the museum my students will be visiting in a few days. As I got closer to the city center (I think) traffic picked up. I think every tuktuk slowed down looking to get me to my destination. I passed one entry to the University, a beautiful temple towered over by a fort, an amazing sculpture of water buffalo, camels, and elephants taking their people somewhere!

I carefully and successfully crossed the busy roads with no injury, especially climbing up and down tall curbs, reminiscent of Mexico City.

Well after 90 minutes and with no idea where I was, I turned around and trekked back to the guest house. Seeing no public toilet around, I entered a hospital seeking the restroom … they hospitably let this weary walker use the facilities. So, I passed the sculpture, the temple, and fort again being especially careful of the curbs. Got a photo of the 2 peaceful cows in the medium. I was tired, and hot, and finally gave in to the almost constant pestering of the tuktuk drivers. How nice to have a lift the final third of the trip “home.”

The guest house is located alongside a very busy round about with a towering a monument to Gandhi in the center. Some sort of rally was taking place. How to get across? I saw a policeman escorting several men across and joined their party. Several people told me it was a political rally. The same policemen safely escorted me across the busy road.

Yes, naptime followed. And, yes, it’s hot  here.

Next up to meet the students, the other faculty member, and get down to business. More to follow sometime or other, as time allows.

*This one is for Miss Marie.