{"id":4957,"date":"2021-03-17T14:42:28","date_gmt":"2021-03-17T14:42:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/toonsarah-travels.blog\/staging\/?p=4957"},"modified":"2021-03-17T14:45:20","modified_gmt":"2021-03-17T14:45:20","slug":"meeting-the-locals-in-narlai-rajasthan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toonsarah-travels.blog\/staging\/meeting-the-locals-in-narlai-rajasthan\/","title":{"rendered":"Meeting the locals in Narlai, Rajasthan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The village of Narlai in Rajasthan would be completely off the tourist track were it not for the hotel that has been created in the former hunting lodge of Jodhpur\u2019s royal family. It is a small village which faces some of the same challenges as rural communities everywhere. Its population is declining as younger people drift away, tempted by big city life and its wider opportunities.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But its streets have thriving little shops, mainly catering only to locals; its farmers manage to feed their families and have produce over to sell; its people benefit from the opportunity to work for Rawla Narlai<\/a>, the hotel on the edge of the village; and overall it has a more affluent (or more accurately perhaps, a less struggling) character than many similar places, probably largely due to the lodge. As well as providing work for many villagers, it works constructively with the community to ensure both lodge and locals benefit from its presence. For instance, every Monday morning the village elders are invited in for tea and a chat about village matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Men
The village elders meeting at Rawla Narlai<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A walk in the village<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One option when staying here is to take a walk in the village in the company of a member of the hotel staff, a local resident. Of course you are welcome to walk around on your own; but going with one of their own like this ensures an even warmer welcome from the locals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During our walk we visited a couple of local shops and saw some of the village\u2019s many temples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lady
Shop in Narlai <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n