We picked the coolest day all week (about 95 degrees) so we were able to view the fort at a leisurely pace and listen to the stories about the fort on an audio guide. In between stories, I had to stop and just take in the marvelous views. I was awestruck at how they could have built such a magnificent fort with no machinery. The architecture of the fort is known for its 7 gates and various inner courtyards.
Once inside the fort, we were greeted by a delightful song and soon found the source of the music. A musician was seated on a rug in the shade playing a ravanhatta. Abhijeet was especially mesmerized by the music because on his last trip to India he picked up a ravanhatta for a musical friend, but none of us were able to figure out how to tune or play it. He sat down by the musician and told him this story and the man kindly passed over the instrument for Abhijeet to try playing. Needless to say, the music that came out was only loud squawks and screeches, nothing compared to the beautiful song that the musician had played for us. We thoroughly enjoyed not only the song, but the willingness of the musician to share his instrument with us.
The fort had specific areas that were set apart for the women to live in. Some of these areas were positioned above the mens' courtyard and the window area was blocked by a jharokha. The design allowed the women to look out and view the men, but kept the women in hiding.
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When women went out in public, they also rode in palanquins (carriage carried by men) that had curtains that would protect them from the "lustful stares of men". There was a story on the audio guide that told of a wife of one of the rajput leaders that was so insistent on staying in hiding when she was out that a great curiosity grew to see what she really looked like. When she traveled in London, she continued her travel in hiding in a Rolls Royce. When stepping out one time, a photographer caught a picture of her ankle. It was the first siting of her at all, so it was published in the newspaper. When the maharaj in Jodhpur got word of this, he sent for all of the newspapers to be bought so as to maintain her privacy. The men also rode in elaborate palanquins,but they were able to be seen in public. 
As you can see, the women are still walking on the opposite site to avoid the "lustful stares of men"! 
For the first few days, I did not understand why Jodhpur is called the blue city. On my visit to the fort, I got a view of the old city which resolved any confusion. I loved it! I couldn't stop looking out at it. Apparently the blue helps keep houses cool and also works as an insect repellent!
On guard
There is a funny story about this picture. We thought that the man added a great detail to the scene, so tried to quickly snap a picture while he was standing with his back to us. We started walking away and quickly realized that he had the same idea in mind. He politely asked us to move over a bit, not so that we would clear the view, but so that we would be in his photograph. That is only fair, right? We stole his picture, so he deserves a picture with us in it to share with friends and family as well.
I seemed to attract more than usual attention on this visit even though it was a tourist site and there were other foreigners there. It was the first day that I wore my sunglasses and I think it gave an impression that I was a movie star or someone famous. I had children coming up saying hello, an adolescent peak into our auto rickshaw to say hello and one woman who even came up to shake my hand.
Putting out the red carpet....
Tradition meets technology with a texting guard
Another friendly musician
The women's courtyard where they could meet to trade and gossip.
one more view of the fort
The line of auto rickshaws waiting to take people home from the fort.
More auto rickshaws
There are no rules against cell phone use while driving and it is a common sight to see people talking or texting while driving, riding bike, etc. Our auto driver received a call and surprised us by pulling over to the side of the road to take the call.
jump starting a car
My first view of a camel cart on the street.
People were stopping you because they thought you were Angelina Jolie and had dyed your hair blonde to go incognito!
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