Bob's cold seems to be better, but I'm still going through Kleenex at a great rate. Fortunately this was to be a driving day so I could rest and nap. We took off at 6:45 for a four hour drive, but our amazing driver had to come to a stop when he saw a road sign indicating that the highway was closed except for local traffic - probably for army purposes as there is a strong military presence here, as we're so close to the Pakistani boarder. Anyway he drove all around the city and finally reached the highway by nsome route he knew and we were on our way.
The area is getting more desert-like and open with sand. scrub and small acacias. Yesterday we drove through dense, thorny acacia forests.
We stopped for a rest stop and got a close-up view of one of the highly decorated trucks we've seen whizzing by. The driver was pleased at our interest and posed for us after lighting some incense on a small shrine on his dashboard.
We finally got to the Gateway Hotel and checked in noon. Bryan was amazed as always before he's gotten a wonderful view of the golden fort of Jaisalmer, but today with all the haze we could just barely make out its vague shape on the horizon. He had ordered a buffet for us, but we were given menus which slowed things down considerably. We finally finished lunch and got on the bus for the old city at 2:00.
A Parade of Saris
Jaisalmer was founded in 1156 by a Rajput ruler and was fought over over the centuries. Now the fort is inhabited by 30,000 people and the surrounding city only has a population of twice that, so it is manageable to explore. We found our local guide and started into the fort when Bob suddenly collapsed with a sudden case of stomach cramps and dizziness. I grabbed Harish who put us on a tuk-tuk, a motorized rickshaw, and managed to find our bus and transport us back to the hotel where Bob took some antibiotics and rested. Since the next two days here are devoted to birding in the desert, I will have to rely on Hilary's pictures to give you, and me, an idea of the fort and its warren of tiny, curving streets and shops.
Patchwork of verious old fabrics, workshop in Jaisalmer
Hope Bob is feeling better!
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