As most of you know, MS2 and I have returned to the U.S., and by doing so, have removed all suspense regarding our survival of the Thar Desert Safari. Nonetheless, I feel a certain compulsion to finish the story and so I will.
You might recall that soon after the rat incident, we climbed back on our camels and headed north. (I know this because I had my trusty compass with me in case MS2 and I were abandoned in the desert and had to find our own way back to Jaisalmer.)
MS2 was so relieved to be leaving the rat behind that she temporarily forgot to worry about accommodations at our camp site. We sang as we ambled toward the setting sun. I, myself, was still half expecting to come upon a city of white luxury tents before sundown. But just as the sun dropped below the horizon, Durga ordered our camels to their knees.
MS2 and I looked around, but the landscape had not changed. We were in the middle of nowhere with nary a luxury tent nor a porta potty to be seen. As Durga unloaded a tent, a sheet and a couple (ok three) blankets from the camels, I could see the steam rising from MS2's head. Never a talkative companion, she was now stone silent, and most telling of all, she was no longer trying to steal my chocolate toffees. Uh Oh.
Durga worked diligently to set up our tent and our beds. When he finished and ushered us through the flap, I saw that he had placed one thin sheet on the ground. On top of the sheet were two thin pillows and three thin (really really thin) blankets. Finally MS2 spoke, "Why do I think this is going to be the longest night of my life?" she queried.
I'll not provide the blow by blow, but suffice it to say that we froze our butts off. To add insult to injury, we woke up with bruises on our hips from the hard ground. And I won't even go into the "invasion of the stickers" which made our peeing adventures...um...challenging.
Worst of all, MS2 was so pissed at me she wouldn't even cuddle to keep warm!
But eventually the sun came up and the beauty of the desert made us forget the night. I mean, it made *me* forget the night. And before you could count ek do tin, we were back on the streets of Jaisalmer.
MS1
You might recall that soon after the rat incident, we climbed back on our camels and headed north. (I know this because I had my trusty compass with me in case MS2 and I were abandoned in the desert and had to find our own way back to Jaisalmer.)
MS2 was so relieved to be leaving the rat behind that she temporarily forgot to worry about accommodations at our camp site. We sang as we ambled toward the setting sun. I, myself, was still half expecting to come upon a city of white luxury tents before sundown. But just as the sun dropped below the horizon, Durga ordered our camels to their knees.
MS2 and I looked around, but the landscape had not changed. We were in the middle of nowhere with nary a luxury tent nor a porta potty to be seen. As Durga unloaded a tent, a sheet and a couple (ok three) blankets from the camels, I could see the steam rising from MS2's head. Never a talkative companion, she was now stone silent, and most telling of all, she was no longer trying to steal my chocolate toffees. Uh Oh.
Durga worked diligently to set up our tent and our beds. When he finished and ushered us through the flap, I saw that he had placed one thin sheet on the ground. On top of the sheet were two thin pillows and three thin (really really thin) blankets. Finally MS2 spoke, "Why do I think this is going to be the longest night of my life?" she queried.
I'll not provide the blow by blow, but suffice it to say that we froze our butts off. To add insult to injury, we woke up with bruises on our hips from the hard ground. And I won't even go into the "invasion of the stickers" which made our peeing adventures...um...challenging.
Worst of all, MS2 was so pissed at me she wouldn't even cuddle to keep warm!
But eventually the sun came up and the beauty of the desert made us forget the night. I mean, it made *me* forget the night. And before you could count ek do tin, we were back on the streets of Jaisalmer.
MS1
Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle. That works for so many things!
ReplyDeleteBoy, I still bet that T3 was glad to be away from the rat.
ReplyDeleteYou skinny folks needed a well padded heat source like the subhuman (aka TSH) to warm the tent.
This sounds like the modern version of the "Princess & the Pea" - wow, I know ROYALTY!
Glad for the compass & the Swiss Army Knife as good additions to the trip.
I used to say "I'd walk a mile for a camel" - now, not so sure.