My Jaipur Trip: A Spontaneous Solo Getaway
Living in Delhi and working from home comes with a rare luxury: I can work from anywhere. One restless week, with nowhere to be and nothing pulling me to my desk, I decided to do something about the boredom. I wanted a quick escape close to Delhi, so I started searching for destinations reachable by Vande Bharat. Jaipur popped up, and just like that, my mind was made up.
I booked my train ticket and a bed at Gostops Jaipur, and a few days later I was on my way, solo and with no real plan. I’d never been to the city before, and that was part of the fun.
Amer Fort and the Guide I Didn’t Ask For
My first stop was Amer Fort, along with another fort nearby whose name I’ve completely forgotten (a sign I should take better notes). At the entrance, a guide insisted I hire him. I gave in, and honestly, it was educational. The trouble is that I barely remember a word he said now.
What I do remember is the conversation that had nothing to do with history. He asked why I wasn’t married yet. I told him marriage is just one optional thing to do in life. He replied that my age was running out and I should marry soon. I’m still baffled by how many people see marriage as the one goal of everyone’s life. It isn’t, and I don’t believe it ever has to be.
An Instagram Story and a Familiar Face
All through the trip, I kept posting pictures on my Instagram stories. By pure chance, one of my ex-colleagues, who now works in Jaipur, saw them, and we decided to meet.
She took me to Panna Meena ka Kund, a beautiful stepwell, and to Bihari Ji Temple nearby. Afterwards we had a lovely meal at an Asian restaurant. She is Bengali, and she told me she badly misses good fish in Jaipur, since great non-veg food is hard to find there. Some of the best parts of travelling are the unplanned reunions like this one.
You can also change the closing line to “Next time, I’ll take better notes on the places I visit” now that you’ve got the fort’s name. If you’d like, I can write an SEO title, a meta description, and suggested tags for the post.
The Rajasthani Thali Experience
I couldn’t visit Rajasthan without trying an authentic Rajasthani thali, so I went to a traditional place that serves them. It was not cheap: a single plate cost me 700 rs. It was an amazing experience, with so many dishes laid out in front of me and everything served the traditional way.
The food, however, clearly wasn’t made for my palate. I come from a Nepali background and have lived in the northeastern part of India, where the food is milder and simpler. The spices of other states just don’t work well with me. I’m glad I tried it, and I’d still recommend it to anyone who loves bold, rich flavours, but I’ll be honest: I enjoyed the experience more than the meal.
The “Foreigner” from Sikkim
I picked up a few fridge magnets as souvenirs, and shopping gave me one of the funniest moments of the trip. Several people called me a foreigner, even though I’m Indian. I told them I’m from Sikkim, thinking a well-known place would settle it. Instead, one person asked, “Sikkim is in Assam, no?”
It’s not, and I laughed it off. It’s a reminder of how much of India many of us still haven’t explored, and honestly, that’s what keeps me travelling.
My Verdict: 7/10 for a Solo Trip
If I had to rate Jaipur as a solo destination, I’d give it a solid 7 out of 10. The forts, the history, and the people (even the ones with strong opinions about marriage) made it memorable. It lost a few points for the food not suiting me and for how pricey some experiences can get.
My Tip: Pair It with Udaipur
If you’re planning a trip to Jaipur, I’d recommend adding Udaipur to the same journey. It’s nearby, so combining the two saves you money on travel compared to making separate trips, and you get to see two very different sides of Rajasthan in one go. I’m already thinking about doing that next time.
Final Thoughts
Jaipur wasn’t a grand, carefully planned trip, and that’s exactly why I loved it. A spontaneous train ride, a nosy guide, an unexpected catch-up with an old colleague, an expensive thali, and a few good laughs made it memorable.
Next time, I’ll take better notes on the forts. Have you been to Jaipur? Tell me your favourite spot in the comments.
