We wandered around the fair for a couple of hours, until the sun became too hot, spending most of the time with + among the camels. It was a wonderfully exotic scene, almost Biblical – the census of Bethlehem perhaps. We took a sensible siesta, then went off to find out about leaving, the day after tomorrow we think. We’d thought to go out by train from Ajmer, + I was thinking to go in there on the bus this afternoon to book our tickets, but the people at the Tourist Hotel assured us that there would be no problem about getting a bus to Jodhpur.
Val bought a pair of heavy trousers for herself, which came quite comfortably out of our daily monetary allowance. Another trousers story: we were approached by a personable tout, inviting us to come + look at some carpets. When I claimed I could not afford such a thing, he told us that would be OK, we would merely have to pay 10%, + the carpet would be sent. I then told him I could not afford even 10% of a carpet, + indicated my faded + multi-patched trousers as evidence of our poverty. “Ah no,” I was admonished, “that is just for publicity.” I only wish it were.
Returned to our room for another couple of hours, before visiting the fair again in time for sunset. It was marvellously atmospheric, with exotic locals + animals, including an elephant, looming up at one out of the orange haze. We’ve lent our camera to Paul + Mandy, who had their camera stolen by baggage handlers somewhere between Amsterdam + Delhi. This means we weren’t able to take any photos this evening, but Paul reckons to have finished with it by tomorrow morning, so that’ll be our turn again. I had my hair cut, fairly short this time, at a stall at the fair. While I was “under the scissors”, Val went for a walk, but returned in a few mins in a foul mood, having rec’d more than her fair share of the usual harassments.
A pleasanter evening, however, which we spent with Paul + Mandy. Dinner first, then to the fair once again. Our prime aim was to find a display of local dancing that we have heard about, but it was good just to walk along the main thoroughfare + catch the excitement, of the lights, the smells, the crowd. Not that the crowd is particularly excessive, so far as we can judge. It can only be because of the assassination, but we think the nos. are much lower than usual. Which suits us fine. I’ve always loved fairs, not just because of the rides, + this was no exception. Just as well, tho’ , for the dancing had been cancelled, as a mark of respect. As has the camel racing, another prime attraction. Ah well. Paul + Mandy good company – blunt Yorkshire people with a fine sense of fun.
I suppose, as ill effects of the assassination go, missing out on the dancing and camel racing was pretty minor, but disappointing all the same. But the Camel fair was marvellous. And the elephant story was great – I don’t know why I didn’t record it in the diary. The elephant was being led along the street when it spotted a peanut seller, his open cart piled high with the things. He made a beeline for them – there was nothing his handler ccould do – and promptly hoovered up a vast quantity of them. Much, it has to be said, to the annoyance of the seller.
