Day 109 – Paper Plates, Camel Rides, and My First Sand Dune Camp
Morning at the Mutt and a Hot Tin Bath
Day 109 started at the Khyali Math. Before leaving, I noticed a group of workers from Bihar boiling water in a large steel oil tin outside the premises, in a small room provided for them. I used the same tin to boil water for a hot bath—the simple heat against desert cold felt luxurious. I also cooked rice for Bhairava there, making sure he had his meal before we moved.
For my own food, the mutt served lunch, but with clear rules: lower caste people are not allowed inside the dining hall. They must sit outside with the workers and eat from paper plates, while steel plates are reserved for upper castes. Even though I was allowed inside the dining area, they still served my food on a paper plate. These lines are drawn openly and followed strictly.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Camel Ride with a Sheep Herder
After lunch, I rolled onto the Bharatmala highway and soon spotted a man sitting on a camel. His surname was Singh, and he was out searching for a small group of his sheep that had strayed from the herd. He had found them and was heading back. We chatted, and when I asked, he offered me a ride on the camel. It was my first time—steady, high above the ground, swaying gently through the scrub. I worried about my weight, but he laughed: “Even if you put two quintals on it, nothing will happen.” That short adventure turned a hot afternoon ride into something memorable.
Village Children and Math Skills
Passing through 2-3 small villages, I stopped at the first one to refill water. There I met a group of children heading to school. Curious about their studies, I asked some basic math questions, and they answered confidently and correctly. Compared to many students I met in Gujarat—where recent studies show high dropout rates due to new government rules—these Rajasthan children seemed sharper in basic education. It was encouraging to see.
In the second village, Ratan Singh Ki Dhani (dhani meaning a small settlement near sand dunes), I asked for thick buttermilk to mix with rice for Bhairava. The locals shared generously, watching as I fed him and chatting about the road ahead.
Dream Camp on the Sand Dunes
Today was special—I had dreamed of camping on sand dunes for days, but safety, weather, and logistics always got in the way. Finally, I decided: I would camp, even if it meant going hungry. My cooking setup is too limited anyway, and lack of funds means I can’t replace it yet.
Near Ratan Singh Ki Dhani, I found the perfect spot beside the road: vast dunes with small thorny trees dotting the landscape, the highway visible in the distance. I pitched my tent, capturing photos of it framed against the endless desert. From my dune, I could see the road snaking through the sands—a tiny human line in nature’s canvas. Big insects roamed the dunes at night, leaving intricate footprints that looked like welcoming designs, echoing the patterns Rajasthanis paint on clothes and house walls.
I fed Bhairava rice mixed with thick buttermilk, then settled in to design updates for my website on my laptop. With an empty stomach but a full heart, the day felt completely worthy. Day 109 delivered the desert camp I had waited for—peaceful, raw, and perfectly alone under the stars.
“On Konkan ride, a 2TB SSD carrying my Sri Lanka and touring footage was lost. Those memories were meant to live inside this film. If you’d like to help replace the drive and keep this documentary on track, there are two ways to support. Subscribe monthly to get early edits, behind‑the‑scenes notes, and GPX route packs. Or make a one‑time contribution to replace the SSD and backup media. Every bit helps, and every supporter will be credited in the film’s thank‑you roll.”