We were woken at about 3am by the sound of a strange man calling and banging a tin. My tent mate Elaine thought it was then"village idiot" having a joke at out expense and so was too worried to leave the tent to go to the toilet. We found out the next day it was actually farmers scaring away the blue bull (the world's largest antelope) from their crops and livestock. It kept almost the whole team awake until the 6.30am wake up.
We also were told that during the night wild bores were wandering around our tents.
Tea delivered to our tent door what service!
We had every intention of heading off earlier today but somehow we failed and headed off at 8.15am for a leisurely 8km walk in 35 plus degrees.
Along the way we saw lots of bulls and baffolo and a guy on a horse that was decorated very ornately. After 8.5km trek we arrived at camp.
Our campsite for tonight is amazing right next to a fresh water lake and a little village.
After a wonderful spread for lunch (boy can our chef cook) and a lovely rest and would you believe it a leg and head massage followed by a shower - pour cold water over yourself - it was so refreshing - we headed over to the local village - gokul nagar. It is a rabari village and the primary source of income is from cattle and buffalo milk and diary products.
People we passed asked why we were choosing to walk in the desert the guide said they wondered why we wanted this pain in our lives - i reflected on it and i wonder if we are doing this to remember what it is to need not want! I guess they have no choice but we do and i certainly need this lesson - i hope i learn.
I saw young children and teenagers carrying fire wood on their heads and later the same girl i saw carrying wood was carrying milk on her head - and my kids whine about doing the dishes!!
The kids were amazing and so friendly.
The owner of the sanctuary we are waking in lives in the village and invited us to his home for chai tea and some of us watched the preparation of millet chapati - i even got to shape one. It was delicious.
We then returned to camp for dinner and after dinner the sanctuary owner and some of his family joined us around the bonfire. The kids sang for us and then we sang for them - kookaburra sits in the old gum tree. The men then started to dance around the fire and soon just about everyone in our team was up. Fun night!
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