Peaceful Desert Ride

Last night we slept under a desert sky. Thousands of lively stars sparkled above my reclining body. Laying on my blanket, spread flat on the powdery sand of the Thar Desert, I watched the enormous expanse of sky. The moon peeks out from behind the quiet hills and I watch it move slowly into full view. The moon, the same moon that shows itself everywhere in the world, watched over me, as I watched over her, throughout the night. Exhausted from our camel trek into the desert in Pushkar, I struggled to stay awake, not wanting to miss a moment of the awesome night.

   Christo is the name of the camel that carried me here. On his back, together, we traverse the pathways of the desert, sometimes led by Sahidan, my very own Indian guide. Occasionally, Sahidan hops behind me on Christo’s saddle, preserving his own strength along the way. Paul and a new friend, Cordula, from Germany, also ride. Our very own guide escorts each of us on our own camel. I spend some time getting to know Christo. Camels are such unusual animals! Sometimes his tongue dangles from the side of his mouth in an apathetic, lazy manner. Sometimes his energy gets him moving in a slow run. I do sense he is taking care of me though, gently moving through the sand and, every so often looking back. I think he’s just making sure I’m fine. I am!

The camel trek was a must for us. It offers a nice alternative to sight seeing and a different way to see the place where we are. Pushkar is well known for it’s annual camel fair. In November, thousands of Indians and camels come together in the streets, overflowing into the desert. We’ve never been here for the fair, but I can just imagine how exciting and visually tantalizing it would be!

Pushkar is a very small town in the Ajmer region of Rajasthan. A sign for a roof top restaurant reads “Peaceful Place for Peaceful People”.  I’m ready for that! There are many travellers here who come for relaxation, joining others and fun. Bhang lassies and “special” chocolate can be purchased at any restaurant or local food stand. The restaurants offer a nice blend of Western and Indian foods. We spend a lot of time sitting around tables, people watching, eating good food, and being with friends.

We meet up with Etay and Yael, a couple we met in Kodai Kanal. Travelling from Israel, Pushkar is their last stop before they return home. On the way to Tamil Nadu, in the public bus, Etay got down on his knees and proposed to Yael. Their wedding will happen this summer.

Yael and I even spend some time in Pushkar checking out wedding dresses. What a trip! Pushkar has everything for sale, just like Jaipur, without the intensity. There are beautiful ‘things’ here, and it is way more laid back…. and so cheap! Here, there is a comfortable blend of Westerners and Indians. The city is considered to be one of the sacred pilgrimage sites in India. I get the sense of that as I wander the narrow streets. There is a respect for each other that is evident here. No pushiness happens on the streets, just friendly interaction and genuine interest in each other’s lives.

Rickshaws, cars and large vehicles are supposedly banned from the narrow streets, although, we did experience several vehicles trying to make their way through. People wander and everyone seems to be easy. Our time here offers a beautiful break from the intensity of the last few days.

Stories of divine love and compassion reinforce the energy I experience here. The area is a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus. History says that Lord Brahma tossed a lotus flower into the air, looking for holy ground. Some of the petals from the lotus settled in Pushkar. They provide the city protection from evil. It is believed that the waters are the result of the tears shed by Shiva after the death of Sati! I think that is a beautiful story of love and life. Sleeping under the desert sky and absorbing the peaceful vibe of Pushkar have provided a perfect space for experiencing that love, and a most beautiful life.