Jaipur Bombings and Weddings
Eric, Liz and I are currently in Jaipur, India. Two nights ago six bombs went off in the historic city centre killing 80 and wounding at over 100 according to media sources. Luckily we were outside of the city at a wedding.
The events of the dual-brother wedding seemed unaffected due to the relative isolation of the village. Loud and celebratory singing, dancing and parading horeseback went on without acknowledging the current events. It didn't seem like anyone was even talking about the bombings much besides us and our city friends with cell phones.
It was a strange feeling and we weren't exactly sure how to react, return to our hotel in the city for safety or stay in a rural village with strangers for safety? We tried our best and enjoyed what we could of the energetic wedding, despite the uncomfortable feeling of helplessness in a time of disaster.
After the bombs exploded near a temple popular to locals and tourists, the city was put under a curfew and we were not permitted to reenter with our Indian friends. Our generous new acquaintances graciously allowed us to stay at their home in a village about about an hour from the city. We were set up with several others on a rooftop with roll-out mattress pads and blankets.
The night was quiet and we didn't wake up until the sun and some peacocks began to interrupt our slumber. Around 7am we were informed that the city was open until the 9 AM o'clock curfew was enforced once again. We left in our tuk-tuk (three wheeled motorcycle with cart) and made it back to The Hotel Pearl Palace by 8:30. Eric and I decided to get a ride to the city center to see the aftermath firsthand before the curfew restricted our mobility.
Several drivers denied us before one finally agreed to take us there and back quickly before the curfew began. The downtown area was chaotic and looked like a bomb had hit in many places, but in fact, this is often the case in many dilappidated urban areas I've found. When we arrived at the site security was heavy and media was in full force. our closest glimpse of the bombing was a destroyed car, being marveled at by bystanders. A reporter for the New York Times asked us a few questions and then we quickly left the site to avoid problems.
The rest of the day was spent on our rooftop lounge and restaurant where a handful of foreigners discussed what they thought was going on. We still don't know the whole story, but the media reports speculate that the bombings were executed by terrorists reacting to religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims in the area. Two men have been arrested in relation to the bombings and the news continues to speculate their motives.
The good news is that we're safe and excited to be moving on to the next destination, Udaipur, after an eventful visit in Jaipur, The Pink City. Our best wishes and condolences go out to the families of the victims.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jz7yxEZQ_BCOGv_2ewCTS___TtDw
