The alarm came early, zero dark thirty, to be precise. We had left Old Delhi for New Delhi the prior day, and now it was time to leave New Delhi and travel by train, bus and foot 500 km WNW to Nagaur in Rajasthan province for the annual Camel Festival.

The Indian Railway staff, as with nearly every Indian with whom we interact, greeted us with a warm smile. 

Traveling, observing, listening, learning, we see the universal nature of humans, that they are all wishing to live with dignity and respect, to be a part of their community, and to make a better life for their families.

Our destination is the Jaipur Royal Family Fort in Nagaur. Construction began about 400 A.D. and the Fort and Palace buildings are in extraordinary condition. The Fort comprises a protected living area of 1.5 km², and at its peak had about 2000 residents. We are here staying in a tent encampment placed inside the walls of the fort in conjunction with the annual Nagaur camel festival.

Not exactly a long walk to freedom, but still very memorable.

Tent 25, erected for just 10 days each year, my home for the next two evenings.

As evening arrived, we headed into the palace grounds for a cultural dance and music show followed by dinner under the stars. 

And then, a quiet and peaceful walk home under the stars.