March 4

Today was more a ‘take it easy’ day. I talked with my sister. We ate breakfast later than our nine am, around ten-ish, having Upma; and onion/tomato Stuffed Paratha with sides of Pickle and Curd. Again no definite plans for the day, we just went out to get steps. We ended up going to one edge of town and walked almost all the way around Gadisar Lake Jaisalmer. It is a smallish lake with some carved buildings and a temple for photo ops. There are some street vendors selling some souvenirs. Then there is a stone tiered seating bank. Hardly anyone is here right now, but there is supposed to be a night-time light and sound show, so I image this few rows aligning this side of the bank gets more busy. Once you bypass this, you just walk the lake bank’s edge. You really have it to yourselves, well, minus the cows, some geese, and birds. I even had a passenger on my hat – Jeff saw a praying mantis!! Also on the other side of the lake, we saw some purple ground cover, a purple carpet!! Anyway, the area was peaceful and quiet – so nice! 

After this, we trekked to Discovery Desert Safari Jaisalmer (where we had booked our tour we did the day before). Tonight the owner, Chandra, is making us supper. We just came by to nail down the details – like where and when! He took us to his hotel, Hotel Sandvilla and gave us chai as we discussed the particulars. Chandra said we will have a red meat dish. The time – we finally nailed down time to seven pm. We left before he could change the time to even later (because everytime he said a time it was 30 minutes later than the previous stated time). He actually mentioned again, a saying he said yesterday. “India is great, but always late.”  True that  🙂  🙂  !!!

We stopped by a snacks-chain place here in India, Famous Food Adda. We had steamed corn cheese momos and peri peri fries – which has been the spiciest hot food we have had in India. We finished those fries, but we were using a bunch of ketchup to lessen the zing! Reminded us of Jeff’s mom, she used to use fries as a platform to get her ketchup. 😂 Then went back to our place for siesta. We took in sunset at the hostel as well – gorgeous!

6:45, we went out to go for our anticipated supper. We arrived and were escorted up to the hotel rooftop. He and his nephew, Krishna were to be our cook staff. Krishna was chopping up some red onions, chilies and ginger. Chandra turned on a super-sized camp stove, placing a metal lipped pot/bowl. We were excited to see the cooking process right before us!! He added probably a cup of oil to hot bowl. Once it was hot, Chandra added a big chunked Masala seasoning pack. After couple minutes half of the red onions, all the chilies (they were not spicy hot, thankfully), and the ginger went in the pot. Now he let this simmer down, probably 10 minutes. Next were added cubed tomatoes, maybe 1 Tbsp. salt, some turmeric, and some dried chili seasoning (not our chili powder seasoning back home) with a cup or two of water. Again Chandra lets this all simmer down – to a puree. This is, maybe, another 10 minutes and added more water as he thought necessary. Finally, he brought out and added the lamb meat with bone, increasing the heat. He covered the bowl/pot bringing back to a simmer, adding more water as needed. Chandra said, “Takes 40 minutes.” We sat around sipping some whiskey and talking. Chandra did go and bring his wife, Neidra(?). They came back, and we all talked some more (she doesn’t seem to speak/understand English, so he translated.) Next and lastly, he added coriander (cilantro) powder, garlic, and then fresh coriander (cilantro). Simmered another 10 minutes. Finally, at 2030!! Sup’s up. It was so great! We obviously were smelling this the whole time it was cooking!🤤 But the taste…😋 was even better than the fragrant aroma for that hour and a half as it was cooking. Chandra’s wife had brought some homemade chapati with fresh butter from their cow. The whole experience was just amazing!!!

We finished and thanked them immensely. We walked back to our Zostel Hostel inside the fort; and again witnessed a wedding parade on the way. The groom is being escorted on horseback with lots of loud music, dancing, drums and fireworks – that were so close to me, I was hit by fallout!  Anyway what a blessing to have a meal prepared for us. (They did not eat with us – this seems to be a cultural thing. Chandra said they will eat after we leave. I wish that sometime we will be able to eat with locals at their place sometime.)  We were in bed by ten.