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Other entries in Jodhpur

Jens desert safari

Namaste (Hello) friends

Jen the lone adventurer indeed did go on an adventure yesterday, near the desert city of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. I admit the camel safari thing is a well worn tourist trail from the city but I thought really it had to be done and it was quite a day. We set off early after my Indian breakfast (which upon ordering the very annoying waiter said "Indian?? You are sure??" a doubtful look on his face that I could join in with the local customs, just to spite him I ordered Indian tea instead of a usual coffee, stupid man. Reminded me of the waiter in Thailand who would not let me order a thai spicy salad grr). Anyway after breakfast we drove the 40km out of town into the desert to a small village called Kuri where we went to a guesthouse (group of huts) and were invited to sit down for some chai (of course I didnt refuse). So I sat round with the owner (old, very traditional desert type) and a group of about 6 random men for tea. They all spoke in some Indian language (there are about 50 you know). I sipped my tea quietly feeling a bit uncomfortable. When left alone with the owner he did his best to make conversation in his broken English. After establishing my fathers occupation (most people's first question) he managed to point out that I had a spot on my chin. I gratiously thanked him for this observation. Later when Narain (driver) also pointed this out I felt like smacking him round the face-its not even a big spot!! We sat around for a bit-I asume while Khalia the camel was being saddled up. Then I was taken to meet him and climbed aboard. Wasnt really warned about the dangerous manner in which a camel stands up but managed to hang on. You really dont notice how tall they are untill you climb on one!! It was actually pretty extreme, and we plodded off into the desert, the camel driver (12 year old boy) walking ahead. Things became a bit extreme once onto the dunes with some steep climbs and drops and very strong wind blowing sand into my face, I was actually a bit worried. When I asked if tourists often fell off I was assured yes they did. Right.

Lunch involved a 2 hour stop in the middle of the desert, luckily it was cloudy so not too hot, while the boy and camel trotted back to camp to get some food. Then we ate some curry and also some sand. (95% food, 5% sand as Narain joked at least 3 times during the day. ha ha.)

We carried on but the camel started to get tired, apparently it was quite old, and it became pretty grumpy and refused to follow the boy who seemed to have not much authority in the situation. We decided to let the camel rest but couldnt get it to sit down or move, so we hailed a random old man-i think a goat herder-who got the camel to sit down. The day carried on with plodding then resting until we got back to camp for more tea, and I was pleased to meet my old friend the owner. He was very kind though and let me shower and made tea etc. I was even shown how to make my beloved chai tea, and met the cow whose milk it was made from! Then I was taken to meet the village teacher and his family, and then a groupd of friendly boys who lived in a hostel in the village so that they could attend school there. They were very excited to have photos with me and then look at them on the screen. A friendly old man in a turban also joined in, putting his turban on my head and posing with me for photos! very odd!

On the way home we got bogged in sand blown onto the road and had to hail some cars to push us out. (extreme). I was glad to get back to my hotel, even though the creepy waiter from breakfast was hanging around and trying to make conversation. I locked him out.

Anyway now we are in Jodhpur, big city, very nice hotel tonight.

Key thought on India for the day-the place is run by men. It is rather overwhelming, in 6 days I have hardly spoken to a woman. Everything is run by men its quite a contrast from Thailand and it is taking a bit of getting used to.

Key thought number 2: food is great!! They love their carbs, no atkins diet here. Yesterday I ate a meal of potato curry thing, with rice, with nan bread. Crazy times.

Speak soon Love jen xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

back on 12th aug, got my dates a bit mixed

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