ooh - that feels so good

This camel showed such pleasure while being groomed - it was obviously infectious as the one behind was grinning too!  Checked out of the hotel in Nagaur and went to the camel/cattle/horse fair grounds to see what was going on.  Everyone was already packing up their quilts and tidying their makeshift tents - tarpaulins slung over frames or camel carts - women were  busy over little camp fires preparing chai and chapattis. I took so many photos there last time I visited that I didn't  get quite the frisson this time - it wasn't misty and there were fewer animals but there was lots to see.  Several animals were being paraded by stock men in front of potential purchasers who huddled together conspiratorially and after much gesticulations walked away only to be followed and talked to again.  Obviously much haggling going on and even an auction. After a couple of hours being the only tourist on site it got a bit much for everyone wanted a portrait taken with their favourite show animal.  Was finally found by the veterinary officer who was touring the site in a tuktuk,  broadcasting messages to the owners and stock handlers about the process of having their animals checked out and certificated.  He asked me to join him on his journey in the tuktuk to the mela ground where preparations for the opening ceremony were being made with red carpet and white cloth covered chairs were being placed for dignitaries.  Everyone was in high good humour as the forecast is for no more rain and things were progressing smoothly.  I watched the unloading of a small truck containing two ox. The first came out gently onto the bank up to which the tail gate had been driven but the second spiralled out (see extra - nothing touching the ground) - no harm to either animal or man). A similar situation happened with the unloading of a mare and foal.  The mare backed out very well and stood on the bank while the foal was turned round - they obviously expected the enormous leap the foal made for the man holding the long rope had run a long way up the bank.  The animal drovers were all so affectionate with their animals it was a pleasure to see.  Then began the 7 hour journey back through Pushkar to Udaipur - lots to see en route and we made a detour through a little market town - however that may have been why the police stopped us a few miles down the road.  Someone had phoned them and they were quite determined to pick us out of the many passing cars.  Yusuf was taken across the road where he had to produce all the car documents and tell where we had been and where we were going to - then the head policeman from the town nearby was phoned.  Yusuf signalled me to stay mum  and not to worry but the car was being guarded with me in it by two policemen with guns!  Eventually I was allowed out of the car to stretch my legs and drink some water and to show my passport and camera - the car boot and back seat had already been explored by then too. Hey ho!  The Big Boss said the 'foreigner' was not to be inconvenienced further and we could go.  Yusuf was pretty sure we had been fingered so that another car could get through the road blocks without hindrance - drug smuggling from Pakistan over the desert is rife.
Back in Udaipur now for two nights before going on to the next state Madhya Pradesh.  Need to get some washing done and try to upload some pics but Picasa is playing up with the low wifi connections. So thanks to everyone for wonderful comments and stars again - I am so happy you are enjoying my trip.  PICASA LINK NOW WORKING