On our own in Rajastan

Shenetta Payne shows off her new nose ring. It's just a clip-on, by the way.

On Friday, we had a day to explore Jaipur on our own. Since ASU International Programs Director Carl Lindquist knew Jaipur, he suggested shopping for souvenirs and handcrafts for which the city is famous.

We made a list of places to visit, and the hotel manager called up a small fleet of  three motorized  rickshaws, or “Tatas,” the little three-wheeled, two- passenger taxis found throughout India.  We had their services for 300 rupees, or about $8, for four hours.

Srinivas Gropal drives through Jaipur traffic in his three-wheeled motorized rickshaw.

See and hear what it's like to ride with him at the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yfFd8qguZA

My driver, Srinivas Gropal, explained that the taxis are a major mode of transportation for working Indians, business people and tourists. He aid he had operated the same little vehicle since 1991, when he was a chauffer for a French tourist who bought the car for him after she went home.

Since we started our expedition before mist retail outlets opened, Mr. Gropal took us to a vintage art dealer, which specialized in hand-making prints on antique parchment paper, usually a century old.

Wethen  shopped at several local stores for gifts, including a government co-op that provides space for local merchants, at which we bought kurtas, the stylized, Indian shirts, saris, the famous Indian dresses, and other items.

Kalee Haywood tries on a traditional Indian sari at a cooperative store in Jaipour. Local clothing makers sell their products through the co-op.

On our way back to the hotel, Mr. Gropal, hearing that we wanted to support local businesses, brought us to a local jeweler, Vishnu Jewelry, which provides a portion of its profits to help the many beggars and street people in the city.

Shenetta Payne, Kalee Haywood and Kate Zibluk look at jewelry at Vishnu Jewelry in Jaipour.

Kalee Haywod tries on amethyst earrings to go with an amethyst ring.

Sara E. McNeil shows off a diamond ring. Jewelry in Jaipour sells for a fraction of retail prices in the U.S. and Europe.

Baba Singh, manager of  Vishnu’s, said reminded us that mining and jewelry are among the top businesses in Rajastan and customers from throughout the world, notably Europe, come to buy jewels and jewelry at a fraction of its  retail costs. By buying jewelry in bulk, trips to Rajastan are actually a profit-making proposition to many jewelry suppliers worldwide.

Baba Singh, manager of Vishnu Jewelry, shows off a solid silver earring. Singh's company donates a portion of its profits to help beggars and street people in Jaipour. It also employs local artisans to design and make jewelry.

Singh also noted that he employs several young jewelry designers in Jaipour to train them and help them start their own businesses.

While members of our group said they spent a little more money than expected, Singh pointed out that the jewelry especially, will only appreciate in value and buyers had the option of re-selling the merchandise back home.

“It’s a real investment in the future, at least,” he said.