Saturday, February 4 ~ Camel Ride

This morning I enjoyed the breakfast here at the camp. There was a good variety of food, even fresh juice made in the juicer with a beet, red carrots, and an orange. Next time, I would leave out the beet.

Next we each had a choice of riding a camel or riding in a cushioned cart pulled by a camel. Of course, I chose to ride on a camel. Only five of us rode camels. I looked over the camels, and I picked the camel to ride that seemed to like me. We rode through the festival grounds looking at the camels, cows, and horses for sale. When people come to the festival with the intent to buy, they bring cash because that is the way business transactions are done here. People stay in tents, and they use cooking fires. They use dried cow patties for fuel.

 After the camel ride was over, we walked through the festival grounds where we stopped to look at what the vendors were selling. There were handmade leather loafers, bells for camels and dancers, harnesses, blankets, food for both people and animals, and even some “cure-all” medications. Fancy horses and camels danced to drum music. We enjoyed exploring the grounds and talking with the locals. Thy seemed to be fascinated with us. One man approached me and asked my profession. He taught high school students, and he seemed pleased that I was a teacher too. I enjoyed interacting with the locals. Only one pushy vender who wouldn’t take “no” for answer tried to sell poor quality necklaces to me. I was glad to reach the camp where he was not allowed to enter.

We had a little time to relax before lunch. The selection of food for lunch was varied and tasty. The food at this camp is catered to Americans by not making it very spicy.  
After lunch someone wanted to see how a turban was tied. Some workers at the camp brought out a long colorful piece of starched cloth. They wrapped the turban around Paul’s head. He was chosen because we have been on the most OAT trips from our group. Paul acted very regally while we took pictures.

We had some down time, then most of us went on another walk through the festival grounds. Most had bought and sold the animals they had brought the cash to buy. We were talking to one man who had bought at least ten cows. He paid $1,000 for some of them. That is a lot of cash to be carrying around.  

Before the buyers left, they had to go to the government office on site to register the purchase. After all, the government had to have their cut.
After returning to camp, I went to see the Indian dancing for a while. Then we had dinner. Tomorrow we will return to Jaipur.