The best part of the camel safari was the Desert Camp. I had cooled down and the others had arrived. We surveyed our temporary home. the camp consisted of a cooking area, a sitting area and a sleeping area. toilet facilities were based on sheer will-power (dont go) or finding a secluded bush (go far away)
We sat on the sand at the top of a dune, drinking chai and eating snacks as we watched the sunset. It was totally magical. The only fly in the ointment (or rather beetle) was the large quantity of dung beetles who were our fellow inhabitants. They are between one and two inches long and have lots of legs. They are harmless but relentless and it is not acceptable in the Hindu culture, to kill them. So instead Hunni and Jeetu collected the beetles in a giant container . They would be set free the following day, far from the campsite.
The camels lay in their own little camp and as the light changed, their reflections against the sky were stunning.
Dinner was simple. Dal, rice and vegetable curry served with Roti. It was delicious but no-one was particularly hungry after the heat and exertions of the day. A family of hopeful dogs hung around, hopeful for leftovers. Soon it was time for bed and we made our way to the sleeping area. Camp beds were set out in little groups – complete with mattresses, pillows and crisp white sheets. Our night under the stars would be exactly that – no tents involved!
It was a clear night and almost full moon, which provided the effect of dusk rather than dark. It was incredibly beautiful. After some chatter, a few dog howls and some trips to far flung bushes, everyone settled down. There is such beauty in the silence and stillness of night. I lay there in bed, looking up at a canopy of stars and feeling very small yet connected to the whole universe. As I finally drifted off to sleep, I smiled with comforting knowledge that dung beetles cant climb bed legs. I had checked!
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