So We Went to Dasada

Which is a resort-sorta place somewhere in landlocked Gujarat that provides tourists with the alternative side of this state: Wild Asses. And birds. I'm not speaking metaphorically either, we went to a remote part of this state (Ahmedabad is the city, Gujarat is the state) so that we could experience something different.

I wasn't too keen on going on this trip, which is actually a field trip for one of the courses they have here, but we were convinced by one of the admin staff here that it'd be a worthwhile experience. Also, it so happens that we'd be on campus over the free weekend without our French allies providing a much-needed buffer against well - let's just say it's similar to how Singapore uses America. We're true to our Nation-building classes.

Anyway. We went cause we didn't want to get bored over the weekend, and it'd be a good way to foster some relationships with the other students of our host university, not just our two student guides. And I did enjoy myself, I not only got to know the French students better and have loads of laughs with them, we also got to know (as I'd like to think) ourselves a little better. Okay, at least I did. Not to belittle the others' experience, I just shouldn't claim to speak for them. Anyway. I discovered that I'm a cynical bastard with a very bitter disposition towards life in general. Or at least I find too many things funny when I really shouldn't.

Essentially, what I am saying is that I enjoyed the trip because of the many moments that could happen, the formation of the semi-pseudo Bunch of Cynical Bastards (BCB - as coined by Romain) club, the discovery of a tossed half-empty can of Kingfisher beer (domestic Indian brand) and its subsequent hype (plus considered consumption of it) by a female student on the trip, the "subversive" activities that went on during the trip (The Leap of Faith and the Holy Communion), the Fast & the Furious racing between our rackety jeep drivers on unlighted roads involving driving against traffic and insane speeds, the Second Campfire and shooting stars seen twice, the wildly exciting safaris with wild (wild!) animals like birds and asses. Salt, lots and lots of salt. The collection of these experiences alongside the company with which these memories were made have allowed me to see the entire beauty of being able to enjoy the moment.

Not because there are wild asses (still cracks me up) roaming around far ahead of you,
Not because you get to see salt and have tea on what used to be the ocean floor,
Not because we had a fun campfire night that had thoroughly enjoyable performances,
Not because you get to wake up really early (after sleeping really late) to see bodies of water and the beautiful sunrise AND have breakfast on a vast expanse of plain,

But because everything was hella entertaining.