Day 6 & 7 : Jaisalmer
Relishing the magical moments next day, sipping tea at zen
zone with a view of golden hue Jaisalmer fort & the sun rising with changing
degrees. Blend of cold air & warmth from behind, writing the happenings for
last 2 days & discussing the desert safari plans with the owner. Best part
of travel these moments never fade away from memory. Being a castle over
Mehnranga fort & Jaisalmer fort will stay my favorite.
Places visited
Jaisalmer Fort
Hawelis
Gadisagar Lake
Barna Village
Kuldhara
Desert Safari
Post munching typical Jaisalmeric breakfast ft dal pakoda
& jilebi, started the city walk tour. Every touristy place is accessible by
walk. Visited Gadisagar lake & fort, golden fort is a living fort had
amazing rooms, mirror rooms, sculptures. Met a 6 year old work at the fort who
is taking care of the sculptures, he says he is very much contended with the
job. Haweli are well so crafted with red stones. After luring these fascinating
places, went back to be ready for real adventure at 2 PM.
Started around 2.10 PM in a jeep and met clemo & ethen
after 10 minutes. After 40 minutes of cold & windy ride reached kuldhara.
Spent some time around the abandoned village & started the camel safari
rides. Met few rural ladies at barna village. Village has only 6 houses &
men works for safari drivers. Lady asked me if they can apply mehandi to me, politely
convinced to get it done on return
After clicking few pictures on the camel, at first it was
very scary to get onto its pace. Totally bumpy when the camel gets up. Slightly
uncomfortable through 90 min. After 60 min saw the sand dunes & were
excited. While we got from the camel a total relief for legs & started
capturing the sand dunes wavy pictures with no disturbance. After some walking,
moved to the other end to see the sunset. The temperature dropped so quickly.
In 15 min several degrees changed and sand became cold like ice, windy &
sand was thrown everywhere. Post the beautiful sunset had chai & bonefire
was set. Chai, some snacks was comforting the hunger stomach.
While we were enjoying the bonfire singing and laughing,
dinner was ready. Roti, rice & mixed vegetable was served. Around 8.4 we
were feeling sleepy & asked them to make the bed . Bed was ready by 9.30 I
asked for a additional blanket, though sleeping next to a couple was
uncomfortable couldn’t help much/ That night after laid down, with my drowsy
eyes was still mesmerized with the milkyway. Time to count the blessings with
each stars & slept with my gratitude prayers.
Stomach alarm woke me up at 6.30 and sun was getting ready
for the day. Sand dunes were migrated with 3 of us & few safari helpers. Sand
patterns weren’t disturbed before we entered, with the sun set walk our foot
prints marks the entire territory quite visible. Was fortunate enough to
glimpse sunrise & sunset from the same location.
Enjoyed the view and clicked few pictures with clemo. Served
with tea, bread, banana, orange & jam. The drivers went for search for the
camels & they returned in an hour. Meanwhile was walking around the dunes. Packed
the bags & got into the camel post 20 min, had cramps & couldn’t sit
anymore. Asked them to stop & I got down and decided to walk. Jeep came by
in few minutes so I reached earlier & the camels also took the shortcuts.
Little one lakshmi dragged me to her house, her mother
(middle one) asked me to get mehandi done quickly. While her hands graciously
drawing the art for next 15 min, learnt that…
Barna comprises of 6 villages & a water tank which is
refilled once in 2 months. That’s ALL for a village.NO absolute access to public
transport/electricity/shops/hospital/mobile or any other basic needs.
Generation after generation no one has schooled & no path for next
generation too. Camel drivers learn English & other language through
tourists & they are able converse well in English. Lakshmi’s mother wanted
a boy & girl, ended up with 3 girls & a boy. While the other part of Rajasthan
is filthy rich with palaces, crafted with gold,silver & arts. With so much
little, these ladies have accepted life and live without any expectations.
Deeply moved with their stories & i need to impregnate gratitude to
subconscious mind. There by claiming the power of travel! Laksmi pampered me
with all her make up items and shyly tookaway all my accessories in return.
After some restful moments with good lunch, as its was the
moments of Pakistan sensitivity couldn’t travel to the border. Figured out a
way to get tickets booked for Udaipur, spent rest of the day at the hostel.
Reached the bus depot with no clue this could be the most annoying part of
trip. As mine was the last seat, the helper informed he will get me a different
allotment and later moved. He started having nasty conversations, am wondering
all possibilities on how to survive the night. Luckily there was a couple who
wants a seat together and gladly a single seat was given. Bus was full of
assholes, despite of fully covered everyone was giving looks which humiliated the
night. Wondering to pluck those eyes with the folk. Reached Udaipur during
early hours and rested in the lobby. Udaipur was too cold and dozed off till
8.30 until someone called me to check my check in status.
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