Namaste loved ones!!
Catherine here, writing to you in Delhi with love and gratitude radiating through my heart and soul as we finish up our 3 month long journey. The past week we were kicking it in the desert in Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer is a cozy little sandstone city that sits just outside the Thar Desert, where camels roam the sand dunes and people come from all over the world just to see the sunset and the stars.
As a family, we chose to travel out there for the portion of our trip called Student Directed Travel. This means, the 7 of us students planned and organized the whole thing (with the generous help of Kate and Chris of course). After a 14 hour train ride, we arrived in the sandstone city, greeted by our hotel owner, Om- a funny man who apparently has many wives AND charges too much for his camel treks.
Savannah says she loves just how different Jaisalmer has been compared to anywhere else we have visited during our 3 months here, showing just how vast this country is! The city is covered with Havelis- mansions made from beautifully carved sandstone, and little alley ways busy with shopkeepers and pigeons. Alessandra loved the energy of the place and people, and Emilia agreed, saying that Jaisalmer is the city which she feels we got to know most. Emilia also loved how the city looks like it had risen from the desert itself, creating a really interesting environment. We spent our first few days roaming the streets. Nate really enjoyed the unscheduled time where we got to explore around by ourselves. We haggled our way through the shops and explored within the Jaisalmer Fort, which is a city center where hotels, places to eat, and stores are located. The top of the fort was a great place to watch the sunset, which Chris surely took advantage of.
Not only did we enjoy the city aspect of Jaisalmer, but we also ventured out into the desert for a quick 2 day camel trek! We each hopped onto a camel, which fun fact weigh up to 2,000 pounds, and off we went! Trotting through the desert one by one. My camels name was Papaya, a gassy lad who was in love with Fordham’s beaut but weird camel, Lalu. Nate rode a camel that was apparently “so strong”, but because he was not allowed near other camels or people, we decided he was just ornery. Chris and Alessandra rode two camels named Charlie and Johnny- brothers who were quite the duo. Savannah was on Babaloo, a kind and gentle animal, like her! Dani rode Babu, a huge beast who had no control over his bottom lip, thus gaining the nickname “flappy lip”. Kate rode a rather small camel whom she named Little Sebastian. Sebastain liked to run, and Kate considered it a blessing that she didnt get tossed off during Little Sebastians BIG spurts of energy. Emilia walked along her camel, Lalu 2.0’s side, mastering the art of the camel pace and taking photos of us while running.
We rode semi- comfortably until lunch, where we relaxed under a tree, listening to music, dancing, and tossing around a makeshift football made out of an empty peanut butter container filled with trash. After our bellies were full, we hopped back on, noticing the soreness, and trotted off as a band of camels.
Arriving at the campsite, we all were instantly in awe of all the sand dunes. We got some energy out by running and pushing each other around and down the sand dunes. Laughing the day away at ourselves and our farting camels off into the distance. Once we had calmed down, we gathered to watch the sunset together, keeping each other close as we enjoyed one of our last few sunsets together in India.
Once the sun had set, we split up until dinner to take some solo time to reflect upon and journal about our experiences and the personal growth within us. I sat there, in this beautiful desert watching the stars pop up one by one, reflecting upon this incredible journey and the people I experienced it with.
After a while, Kate and Chris gathered us all together again by an impressively accurate bird call and alas! Dinner was served. Chapati, mix veg, and chai was handed to us bringing warmth and filling our bellies. As we got ready for bed, spreading blankets onto the sand, one of our guides started a fire with the help of Emilia and Fordham. Fordham noted how wonderful the atmosphere was in that moment- everyone gathered around a fire with Chris playing guitar really set a peaceful mood to a great day. We all cuddled up, which Nate sure loves, and held each other close as we all watched the stars. Danu said how great it was to be able to see the stars clearly after getting so used to the haze that usually blocks them. After a chilly night, we all woke up to a breathtaking sunrise.. another day was greeting us!! We welcomed that new day with sleepy eyes, huddled around a breakfast of mini toast, cookies and chai. Once camp was packed up, we finished the trek with a short ride outside of the desert where we hopped into jeeps, taking us back to Jaisalmer!
We spent the next few days exploring the city, accidentally stumbling upon fancy graveyards, eating in palaces, and enjoying our last moments together in this city.
After 5 days in Jaisalmer, we boarded a 22 hour train ride to Delhi. We spread out immediately, preparing for the long hours of battling for our seats. Kate noticed just how much growth she has seen within each of us purely by the way we act on the train. 3 months ago we were nervous to put our bags under the seats, and now we were spread out, not worried about our belongings, playing cards and goofing off together. One might think we have spent a few days on Indian trains.
Now we spend our last few nights in a F-A-N-C-Y hotel (thanks Shanti for saving all that money during SDT!), wishing Dec. 6th would never come. Before I close this blog, I want to give a quick shoutout to my Shanti Family. The 9 of us truly have become a unit and a team over the past 3 months. Exploring India with you guys will be unforgettable. Through all the laughs, tears, smiles and jokes- you all have been there, a steadfast force which I know will always be present within my heart. As we say our farewells within the coming days, I want each and every one of you to know how much I love you. You al have become a beautiful community to me and I will carry you 8 individuals with me wherever life takes me.
Now, because only your spirits and energies will be with me (most of the time), I will now write some things I will miss about each of you 🙂 For Alessandra, your random bursts of energy and excitement for every new challenge. Emilia for your beautiful love for storytelling and harmonious laugh to lighten our hearts. Nate for your incredible beard growing skills and incomparable comforting presence. Savannah for your “holy moly’s” and your lighthearted spirit carrying us through the tough days. Dani for the groundedness and solidity within your heart and soul. Fordham for being our human calculator and always putting a smile on our faces with a joke. Mama Goat (Kate) for your beautiful smile, accompanying and supporting us through every obstacle. And last but not least, Papa Smurf (Chris), for the gift of music, the best bear hugs, and conversations about the beauty Mother Earth holds. The 8 of you have made the past 3 months truly some of the best, and I will cherish the growth I have experienced within myself because of this country and all of you forever.
For now, we feast in Delhi. Both on food and for the love we have for each other (cheesy I know).
Tomorrow, Nate heads off to Japan, followed by Alessandra and Dani, who return home before heading to Argentina and Thailand. Fordham, Emilia, Savannah and I are all staying together in Delhi for one more night before we all head our separate ways. Fordham to South India, Emilia to Israel, and Savannah and I to Thailand. Kate and Chris will journey together for a little while in South India, where they plan to relax and enjoy each others company a little while longer before returning home for the holidays.
So Shanti- until next time!!! We will be together soon!
You are all incredible humans, and I know you will do amazing things in life.
All my love,
Catherine
