8:30 We wake up, exchange currency, and meet with our tour guide.

9:00 We arive in Amber. We later find out that the Rajasthani word Amber has nothing to do with the English word Amber, In the Rajasthani tongue Amber actually means sky, which is fitting for the Amber Fort because it is so high up in the mountains. We proceed immediately from the car to our elephant. The whole ride feels very unbalanced and our elephant seems quite temperamental. This place, to me, is the most interesting of all the places that we've been to yet. The vegetable dyes and gold in the paint have all been so well preserved. The structure has ventilation systems, sewage systems, natural lighting, ...etc. Many of the ceilings are spotted with mirrors to give the illusion of stars or diamonds. They would drape special carpets over some windows and doorways. Over these passages were pipes with small holes in them that would drip cool water on to the carpets. When the wind came by the damp carpets cooled the rooms much like a swamp cooler. The Maharajah had separate apartments for each of his wives and they were only allowed to visit each other out in the main courtyard where their conversations were monitored by guards. The townspeople were not allowed to look upon the Maharani (queens) so the lattice work was made such that the queens could look out, but nobody could see in.

On the way back down to the car Ember films me arguing with a merchant who is trying to sell me art. I film her with the monkeys.

11:00 Our guide takes us to a stone cutter friend of his. After a very brief demo he takes us to the showroom - just as we expected him to do. The good he did do for us was introduce us to Jaipur's unique stones. My two favorites are the "Star Of India" and the "Rainbow Moonstone." We decline on everything (except for the free drinks) because Sonny, our driver, has secretly agreed to take us to better shops later in the day.

12:00 Our guide takes to a silver shop. They have cool merchandise but I don't buy anything. Emma buys two funky rings.

13:00 Hotel - We are hungry so we head to the buffet which is $12.00 USD. After lunch we head to the pool.

16:00 Sonny picks up Ember and myself and takes us to his friend who is a stone cutter. Ember picks out a black Star Of India and has it set in a ring. I order four Rainbow Moonstones set in pendants, a Black Star and a Ruby Star (both in pendants,) and two unset Black Stars.

17:30 Sonny takes us to two more shops but neither of us buy anything. Sonny tells us that we should only buy marble in Agra - that makes sense.

19:30 Hotel - Emma's getting ready to watch the NBA playoffs. I head down to the pool.