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Published: October 31st 2008
Mussoorie
Shopping time after curvy ride to topWe woke early Monday morning and took the Shatabdi Express from Delhi to Dehradun. Itay got to see the real flavor of India along the train tracks. The scenery gets more beautiful once you leave the city. Included in our ticket price was a thermos of tea, option of veg or non-veg (eggs) breakfast and choice of 5 newspapers. We ate, napped and finally made some friends from the Czech Republic who decided to book the same hike and we will spend the next 10 days with them (more on that later).
Upon arriving at the Dehradun train station, we were greeted excitedly by Jaspreet's uncle (aka Jaspreet from London's dad), Jaspreet's mom and her cousin with a bouquet of flowers each for Itay. They checked us into a beautiful hotel where more flowers awaited us. It was really special.
More importantly, however, is the meeting of Itay and Beeji (Jaspreet's grandmother). She's 82 and was SO incredibly excited to meet Itay despite not knowing any English. She kept holding on to Itay's arm and telling him that she was really glad to meet him and happy to see us married. Itay won brownie points by responding in a
few Punjabi phrases he learned along the way. It felt like one of those memorable moments that left one of us (ok, Itay) a little misty-eyed.
The whole week in Dehra Dun flew right by. We ate amazing home cooked meals, often bought from the market directly below Beeji's house. You name it, we ate it: fish fry, daal, goat stew, squash curry, saag, rajma (kidney beans -- Itay's favorite!), paranthas with homemade butter, achar and chutneys...yum yum yum!
We toured the bazaars up and down from Beeji's house, and endless array of food, clothing, and various chachkes. Itay even had time to order a tailored suit.
We managed a day trip to Mussoorie, a hill station an hour away, where we took in the fresh air and dined at a Tibetan restaurant.
We celebrated Diwali, the Hindu new year that culminates in a 3-day long binge of firecrackers and sweets and card playing into the wee hours. Beeji conducted a prayer that evening, they decorated the patio with marigold bouquets in honor of our first Diwali as a married couple, and we lit candles all around the house.
We met so many of Jaspreet's
Train car
Comfy seats and plenty to eat. extended family and friends of Beeji. Without exception, they all made us feel right at home and showered us with gifts. Itay enjoyed the royal treatment, and hopes that Jaspreet was taking good notes.
Tomorrow (Nov. 1) we are off on a 10-day trek through the Himalayas, with probably no access to phone or email. So hope you enjoyed this extended edition of the Jastay tour.
Happy voting. GO OBAMA!
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Carrie
non-member comment
Have a great time in the Himalayas!
I'll be anxious to learn how the hiking trip went with the Czech Republic folks. You both look like you're having such a great time. Enjoy more yummy brains!