Osiyan, India
Departure town for our camel safari and night in the desert.
Osiyan is the birthplace of Jainism, but the town was cursed and now Jains can no longer liver there. However it is still a pilgrimage destination, with Jains from all over India coming to visit the temple, which is maintained throughout the year by a Hindu priest.
We rode camels for 3 hours through the Thar Desert (which is more than enough time of bouncing along with nothing but a flatenend, non breathable pillow between my but and the hard leather saddle). I never thought much about camels before, but after seeing them strutting down the streets and along the sand dunes, I’ve developped a better appreciation for them. They look so proud and majestic.
We arrived at the camp in time for sunset. To our surprise, our tent was equiped with ensuite toilet and shower, fresh linnen, mattresses on raised beds, and mosquito nets. It was quite luxurious for a “tent”. Apparently this place will soon be priced out of range for the Lonely planet “adventure class” tours, so were were lucky. The evening view of the stars was spectacular.
On the jeep ride out the next day, we stopped to observe a local village, which is really just a cluster of huts, shared by an extended family, surrounded by fields of millet. It was quite picturesque, but the family really didn’t want us tramping through their home, which I could understand. One little girl was very curious, and followed me through the field as I retreated to the jeep. When I turned around to take a picture, she instantly put on a sad face.
