On most of our trip we stayed in very nice hotels. Some of the accommodations on this trip, however, deserve special notice.
In Nagaur, where we went to the camel fair, we stayed in a tented camp in the Fort of Nagaur. The fort is owned by the old ruling family of Udaipur and is slowly being restored.

 We were greeted by the pomp and ceremony due important guests.
Even the guards were dressed as they would have been in the Maharaja's day.

The tents were set up in an open courtyard with great views of the rest of the fort.
Although small, the rooms were comfortably furnished. We hit a record cold snap but a small space heater kept everything cozy.

 The glow of the tents in the evening was a welcoming sight as we returned from dinner. Outside the fort walls we could hear the noise of the local parties.
The remains of the fort are huge and the restaurant was clear on the other side. It took us quite a while to learn the turns and hallways to get there.

 In Jaipur we stayed at Rambaugh Palace, once the royal residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. In 1957, after Indian independence, the maharaja turned it into a hotel and it continues to be one today.
The palace has extensive gardens that provide isolation from the busy city outside. They are also a popular place for weddings.

 Outside our window was a life-size chess set. Very fitting, since chess was invented in India.
When we went to visit a rural school and village we stayed in a property that had been built due to the guides' suggestions. Needless to say, this was one of Girish's favorite stops. Cricket is the national sport of India. This was the only foreign country we have been in where the game all the children play in vacant lots is not soccer; it is cricket. Girish tried to teach the guys how to play, but the rules seem as complex as baseball.
The women passed the time by getting henna tattoos. Pat's is the one at the bottom with the striped sleeve.

 Girish also demonstrated how to tie a turban and then announced a turban-tying contest for the guys.
Chuck found the process a little confusing at first, but eventually, with a little help, he managed to get the turban correct.