March 7

Today was a lovely day...of not too much happening. Breakfast was leisurely and with lots of options all presented (even without being ordered) – and I even got hot chocolate, which makes this the best breakfast by far!
We had a half-day jeep tour today! It was quite fun and different from the other tours that we have been on, which was a nice change. We started off heading out to the middle of nowhere (which, is pretty much only about two minutes out of Luni, because it itself is so small!) and drove off into some farmer’s field to see some antelope. They had the two long (unicorn) horns...and I think they are considered special here – although I have no real basis for that assumption...a lot of animals are considered special here, however! The guide was of no particular help at all as he pretty much stood there as we took pictures and walked after these animals in the dusty field. Mom and dad think it looks like Australia...
After our time off-roading, we headed down a narrow, but paved, road to a guy’s home. Actually, Allison and Caroline got quite the shock, I think, because the guy hopped into their jeep as they were driving! We got out and were presented with a very nice opium presentation! Opium growth is regulated and controlled by the government for sales to big pharmaceutical companies. However, this one particular sect of Hinduism uses opium for spiritual purposes. He explained how they get the opium (ie from the poppy extract, and not legally) and then demonstrated how they drink it. He used this narrow wooden bowl and pestle to crush the solid opium into a powder. Then he added water to it and crushed it some more. Then, he poured it through a fabric filter into another wooden bowl. The filtering process was repeated several times. He then chanted a prayer offering the opium to Shiva, before giving it to the other guy on his palm. The drink it off of their friend’s palm in order to leave any impurities behind. We were all offered a taste, but none of us accepted!
We then headed off to a potter’s home. Here, the caste system prevails and almost the entire village belongs to the potter caste. It was really interesting because they can’t rely on electricity, so everything is done without it. The wheel used to make the pottery was a round slab of rock sitting on a pedestal. On the edge of the top surface was a small hole, where the man put a stick to move the wheel around and around to get enough speed to be able to shape the clay. It was fascinating. In no more than five minutes he had made three different vases, jars, and piggy-bank! The work was well done, and very solid (as he demonstrated by dropping one of the items he was showing us), but I didn’t think I’d have any place to put something like that at home! Allison bought a nice camel, however, and Caroline also bought something.
Our last stop was to a textile shop. It was "similar but different". I wasn’t in a shopping mood at all, which was probably a good thing. The best part was two of the guys working there spoke several languages each and I had a great conversation with them in both Spanish and French. It got complicated, however, because I already mix my French with my Spanish, and then as I was trying to change between the two – I completely lost sense of which language I was speaking! It was pretty funny! I find it almost easier to understand when people here speak in French rather than English – probably because I am used to listening more when it is French., so I don’t find it as challenging.
Our hotel was great for the afternoon. After mom and I walked into town to get her two Punjabi suits altered, we sat by the pool. It was very relaxing, and very warm!! Later, we went and tried to sort more of mom and dad’s pictures! That is a process...everyone has so many pictures, it is going to be a challenge to keep and delete!!
Tomorrow is off to Jaisalmer and the real desert!
Night
-Allison