New Year’s Eve in the Indian Desert

New Year’s Eve in the Indian Desert

PaulaTrendsets.com introduces guest blogger Elpis Chrysovergis, who shares his experience from a magical New Year’s Day celebration in the middle of a desert.

“Spending New Year’s Eve in Thar Desert of Rajasthan (world’s 9th largest subtropical desert) is one of the most memorable moments of my life.

We were a group of 18 people from 10 different countries. After riding our camels for many hours we found the right place to camp in the middle of nowhere before it got dark.

The scenery was amazing. We were looking around but we could only see huge sand dunes and camels. It seemed as if there were no other people even far from our camp, as if we were alone in the desert (believe me it is such a marvelous feeling)! Then,everything was ready to start cooking a traditional Indian dinner (rice, daal, chapatti, pakora).

The sun was almost down, so after hundreds of team pictures with the sunset we set up a big fire and sat around ready to eat our dinner. Uncle Joe (the old local that was leading our group) had brought some traditional instruments to sing folk Indian music for us with his friends. I will remember these moments for ever. The sky was supposed to be very dark but the uncountable stars combined with our bonfire were illuminating our faces.

Suddenly, Tya, a girl from Indonesia, shouted ‘’Happy New Year’’! Her country was the first from our company that got the New Year so everybody toasted and wished to each other. After two and a half hours it was India’s turn. As we were sitting around the fire, singing songs from our countries, everybody touched the hand of the person that was sitting next to them, making a big circle and started counting down the seconds for Indian New Year!10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1….’’HAPPY NEW YEAR’’!! Sorcery in the sky… an incredible range of fireworks lightened up the scenery. It was a small surprise from our Indian friends!

For the next couple of hours the same story was repeated! As we were singing and playing drinking games, suddenly one person was shouting ‘’Happy New Year’’ for their home country. Although it was extremely hot during the day, at night we needed 2-3 blankets each one in order not to feel the cold, but we were really enjoying it because of the magic of the moment.

By that time, everybody was lying under his blankets, always in a circle, looking at the stars and thinking how lucky we were to be living these moments.

You don’t need fancy clothes, a buffet of a wide range of food, a reservation in an ‘’must’’ club or attending an event in an expensive place to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Feeling fed up with these habits, I felt how special was to spend this night in the middle of a huge desert, with so many people from all over the world, around a bonfire, looking at the stars and feeling so free. India is an incredible country that taught me so many things… hope I will go back soon”

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17 Comments

  1. Semouazi
    January 4, 2012 / 12:23 pm

    Incredible India!!!!there’s not much one can say about this country..it isnt just another travelling experience..it really changes the way you see things…i miss it so much!Elpiiis love the article <3 hihi

  2. niki
    January 4, 2012 / 12:36 pm

    ohh my goodness i feel so jealous……you are so right saying that it is not nessesary an reservation in a must club or to wear your most expensive clothes to celeblate the new year..these memories are the unique one and i look forward to meet the extemely craziest country… INDIA!!!!!!!

    • Mukesh Singh Saini
      January 4, 2012 / 3:37 pm

      ya guys you are right India is really a Incredible and we always welcome you

  3. elpis
    January 4, 2012 / 3:48 pm

    thank you guys!i love india soooooo much..amazing country..amazing people..i will go back for sure!:)

  4. athina
    January 4, 2012 / 4:52 pm

    Congrats!Nice text and photographs!Looks like an ideal choice!Good job Elpi!

  5. athina
    January 4, 2012 / 5:09 pm

    Congrats!Very nice text and photos!looks an ideal choice!good job elpi!

  6. MikeDime
    January 4, 2012 / 5:16 pm

    The photographs are amazing! For sure a new years eve to remember for therest of your life!!

  7. Babis
    January 4, 2012 / 6:37 pm

    Just forgot to mention the supernatural photos.Congrats!

  8. Yiola Dara
    January 4, 2012 / 6:48 pm

    Elpi,great experience,incredible memories….but above all great English….
    Yiola

  9. veraki
    January 4, 2012 / 7:04 pm

    new year’s eve in the indian desert?fu&*&&**& awesome!!nice work nice pics…keep up the good work!!!kisses!!

  10. Aspa
    January 4, 2012 / 7:30 pm

    Bravo elpakoooooooo!!! Pare k mena next timeeee!!! 😉

  11. ili
    January 4, 2012 / 7:52 pm

    Elpi it seems like an unforgettable experience! I love the pictures! Maybe one day you’ll live an even more fantastic new year’s eve!

  12. ILIADA
    January 4, 2012 / 8:09 pm

    I was there toooooo! Thanks for sharing Elpis! It’s actually hard to put his experience in words! I will never ever forget this new year’s eve. So simple but so special <3 Incredible India!

  13. Anastasia
    January 4, 2012 / 9:58 pm

    Elpiiiiis!! Dont stop surprising us and be always a crazy boooooooy!! Congrats elpara!! :))

  14. Natalia
    January 5, 2012 / 12:54 pm

    The people, the music, the camels, the stars, thank you Elpis for sharing such great experience with me, miss you pitufo!

  15. Spiroula
    January 6, 2012 / 6:20 pm

    Elpi amazing story and great pictures too 😉 You are soooo right saying that you don’t need nice clothes,a cool club or a fancy party to celebrate the new year ! Here is the proof that you can have great time in a foreign country,with people you don’t even speak the same language and maybe you are not going to see them again 🙂 Congratulations Epli you made me want to travel to India really soon !
    p.s. the picture with the camel is awesome !! 🙂

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