Jaisalmer is an Indian city in the heart of the Thar Desert. While we were camping in the desert, we ran out of fuel and that’s how this citywide tea hunt started.
As we broke camp, we realized that we have run out of not just the kitchen supplies but also stove fuel. And that meant we could not even make tea. If you have known any Indian in your life, you’d know that we can not function without tea. Our body engine just does not start without gulping copius amounts of tea in the mornings and evenings.
So we decided to head towards the city in search of tea and supplies. On a cold rainy day, hitchhiking did not turn out to be a good idea. Half an hour later, we were soaked in sweat and had sand splattered all across our faces but not a single tea shop was open.
There were a bunch of enthusiasts loitering around in the summer sun who had come here to organize some race event. Some race that would be, running out in the desertland with either too much of sun or none of it. We stopped by hoping they would offer us tea but even they were out of supplies. Though they did have paint for making the race route and they asked us to volunteer for them. Had they offered us tea, we may have thought about it but without tea, no can do my friend.
Moving onwards, we finally reached the city outskirts wherein we got to know that it was a holiday and shops were closed. We eventually had to get inside the main city to find a functional tea shop. And then we found one.
That tea stall appeared to be the center of Universe in that moment. After gulping around half a dozen cups each , now we could feel a sense of purpose in our lives. We decided then to roam around the city on empty lanes and have one last look at the colorful city life before we go back to the desertland and stay camped there for weeks.
Like all things in life, you miss city life the most when you are away from it. Good roads, friends, facilities, comfort and mostly tea. Having spent an entire day in the city after weeks made me realize that I do miss city life. However, in search of inner peace, solitude is must and that’s what we seek on the remaining oart of our journey.
Hopefully, we shall find it inside once we find it outside.
