Friday, February 3 ~ Bus Ride to the Camel Festival in Nagaur

We rode on the bus for six hours to Nagaur. There were countless acacia trees beside the road all the way. I took quite a few pictures of the houses and trees as we passed.

When we arrived in Nagaur, young ladies in costume greeted us by presenting each of us with fresh marigold flower leis. Paul and I stayed in tent #21. A few minutes later, we ate a buffet lunch in the dining tent.

I was surprised that the temperature was fairly hot here. After lunch we rested for a while until we felt refreshed. Then we all went walking through the camel festival grounds. It was mind boggling. to see so many decorated camels with their owners. People are here to buy and sell camels. We talked with two men who had just completed a transaction. Both were very happy. The new owner planned to ride the camel for two days to his home.

While we walked through the camel-laden grounds, young boys followed us around and talked with us in their limited English. They wanted to pose for pictures then look at them. Finally, I put my peepers finger puppet on my hand and said hello to the children and teens as we walked by more camels.

Just before dinner we watched young women wearing beautiful glitzy costumes dance to traditional music where drums and some type of small hand organ were the major instruments. Some of us were asked to participate in the dance too. Afterward we had dinner. The food here isn’t as spicy as some that we have had. The cooks use a lot of fresh veggies.  

Later when I got into bed, there was a hot water bottle in it. The temperature had cooled down, but I didn’t feel it was necessary to use it. I enjoyed listening to the crickets as I went to sleep.