The camel trek was lots of fun, as we enjoyed getting to know the funny guides (constantly getting really high), having some local boys play music by our campfire, and getting to know the three other travellers. But we also rode through some of the poorest villages in all of India, isolated in the desert, accessible only by 4WD and camel cart, with very little water and food after the drought this season. These towns were the most untouched by tourism that we have seen, and the children would run after our camels, yelling ‘Tata!’ (hello) and asking for our empty waterbottles, a very valuable commodity, apparently. We wanted to get to know them better but their poverty created a huge barrier, as they were only begging from us, seeing us as bearers of vast amounts of wealth. Even at night, our campfire was ringed by a group of small children hoping for a handout. At one point, a boy was begging for what seemed like a beer, but it turned out he only wanted the can, for use as a lantern. At the end, we were left with the impression that the desert is a majestic and beautiful landscape, but harsh and inhospitable to live in. We have a high respect for those who can survive in it, and I can’t even begin to understand how they could grow any crops at all in the hot, dry sand.
Funny Camel
Funny Camel
Funny Camel
Funny Camel
Funny Camel
Funny Camel
Funny Camel
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