Flying Through The Sands

I took the in-room guide from my friend Nakul to read about Osian.

It was described as the Khajuraho of Rajasthan. Poorly shot images failed to hide the beauty of these carved sandstone temples. And suddenly, another listed attraction caught my eye-Khichan. I had heard of the place. I knew what made it a tourist attraction. And I was pleasantly surprised it was just a day trip away from our hotel in Khimsar!

We had just checked in to the luxuriously appointed WelcomHotel Khimsar Fort & Dunes and were sipping tea in our room, musing about next day’s plan. Stumbling upon those innocuous entries in the inroom guide, coupled with my infectious enthusiasm, the group warmed up to my proposed plan of visiting Osian and Khichan the next day.

But Nakul, a fellow Taurean, is not easily persuaded. My friend for the last 35 years, he needs to feel convinced from within before he accedes to any proposal. As a yoga teacher, his body is quite flexible, but as a person, he can be extremely rigid!

‘We need to check with the locals about this trip,’ he said.

So, the tentative plan drawn between sips of tea now just needed some local affirmation.

After tea, as we stepped out of our room, the hotel’s GM greeted us on the well-manicured poolside lawns. During our short interaction, he approved of our trip plan and added ‘You must try and be back to view the sunset from our well-maintained sand dunes’! Well-maintained sand dunes, for Chrissake! I smirked; but I refrained from commenting. I did not want the plan jeopardised.