2/28 Holi Danika at the Palace

  

I arrived at the palace just a little early.  There were about 100 tourists and then another 100 special guests and dignitaries.  The Royal family arrived with quite a lot of pomp and bagpipes!  Women sang and played various instruments at the corner of the courtyard.  An effigy was burnt after the Royal family walked around it several times.  The heat was instant and there were huge pieces of ash flying in the air.  The fire rose to about 15 feet.  It was awesome.  Around 7 p, the guests were escorted to another courtyard for dinner.  Walking through the gate on a brilliant orange carpet, young women threw rose petals from the second floor.  The inner courtyard was magnificent.  I wandered around trying to find a friendly table.  Ended up sitting next to a lovely British couple.  They had spent their 31st wedding anniversary at the Taj and were in love with India.  So much so that they seemed like children.  They served really good french red wine - really good;).  We all chatted.  The buffet was a mile long and amazing.  When I came back from my first trip, I noticed that the Prince was standing right next to our table.  Taking interviews.  Accepting gifts.  The dancers came in again and I went for a second plate.  When I came back this time the Brit couple was taking their picture with the Prince.  They sat down and I timidly stood behind him waiting for an opportunity.  I gently tapped him on the shoulder which I'm sure I shouldn't have done and a friend from my table took our picture.  I said Dunyawad and he bowed.  He is very handsome, but also very accessible.  A nice combination. It was so hard to leave, but it was getting late and I didn't trust the dark streets of Udaipur.  I said my goodbyes and slowly left the palace relishing every second.  I met up with the Czech Couple again but went to bed early ... dreaming of Palaces and Princes;).