Rajasthan: Misadventures turned Memories!

Now, our cab driver (after a little struggle) managed to find the polo ground, and dumped us there unceremoniously (to be fair to him, it was a long drive and we were ultra-excited). But what a sight it was! Polo players, dressed in brightly colored clothes, sitting atop magnificent mounts trotting lazily around on the green expanse of the polo ground, ladies dressed elegantly in pearls and saris and sporting over-sized sunglasses standing on the edge of the ground, talking to the players, the band getting ready to inaugurate the event- we had stepped into wonderland. We were so awestruck, that when the driver said he was going to park the car, we just waved him away (though he didn't actually go park the car, he went on a joyride, and returned only when we kept calling him incessantly).

So we walked inside. The layout was something like this: there was an open area for the public with a limited number of chairs (all of which were occupied when we got there), behind which was an area for beverages, and further ahead was a raised seating area, covered by a tent. Now, mind you, I understood this segregation in hindsight. At that moment, for a while, we stood where a lot of people were standing in the sun, because when in Rome. :D But then, my dad saw that a lot of seats at the raised podium were empty. So, like any sensible guy, he proposed that we go sit there, to which we all readily agreed.

The match began. It was a very grand affair, with a very enthusiastic commentary and loud cheering. I understood nothing of the game or the points of course, but it was very exciting to watch. After a while, I started noticing that all the seats occupied were by the elegantly dressed men and women who I had seen earlier, while the touristy-looking people were still standing in the (unusually) hot sun. Starting to feel out of place, I looked around and saw an inconspicuous little sign that said, 'VIP Only- By Invitation'.

We were sitting where the VIP people were. Without invitation. Quite possibly with some royalty too. So, naturally, I freaked out.

Thankfully, I kept the freaking out inside me, and discretely pointed out the sign to my dad. He wisely observed that leaving now, in front of everybody, would be way more awkward than just sitting quietly. And that's what we did. We put on our best game faces, sipped our cold drinks and tried to take selfies without attracting attention to prove to our friends and family that yes, that really happened. And as awkward as we were at sitting in the wrong place, I think that we totally made everyone believe that we totally belonged. My entire family were such badasses that day. :')

So, I watched the first ever polo match of my life surrounded by VIPs (and royalty, I think! :D), sipping the soft drinks that were served to us (we were VIPs after all), sitting under the shade (while the general crowd was burning in the sun) and slipping away quietly when the photographers came to click the pictures of the VIPs for media coverage.

Not bad at all, I say, not bad. :D

I think, that for a view this sweet, yup, it was worth it. Even though I had to endure the return trip as well. Ugh. But its okay, since I am alive enough to write this. I lost all my own photos, so can't put them up here. I still have my memories though. And they are fantastic! :D

Why would anyone not want to go?

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