Off to the Punjab

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We woke up earlier than we had become used to and after another hefty breakfast, got our things together and walked off down the mountain to where we had jeeps waiting for us. Drove into Chamba Town, stopping at a couple of temples on the way (one which included a church bell). In town, we stopped into the hospital to see Prakash's daughter and first born grandchild who was born the day we arrived at Orchard Hut. Very small. Then we departed on the long drive down from the mountains and out of Himachal Pradesh.

We finally reached the town from where we were to get the train to Amritsar. There was some sort of celebration going on for a Guru's birthday, so the streets were lined with drunken people who had clearly never seen white faces before. We made it to the station intact, however. We were in the class below 2AC, if that means anything to anyone. Basically far more crowded and 'real India', but you get great views as there isn't any glass, so I got to witness things like people getting pushed out of trains, etc... After a big argument with people who had stolen our seats (Badam arguing, that is - the rest of us don't speak Hindi), everyone decided to become friends and enquire about our salaries, marital statuses, what we carried in our handbags and so on. We even got asked for our autographs by one lad. Truly bizarre.

When we got to Amritsar, there was a man waiting saying 'Intrepid?' - some cycle rickshaw drivers have adopted the Intrepid groups. We went over the road to our hotel, had some dinner, then set out to the Golden Temple. Which has to be one of the most insane things I have ever experienced. You give your shoes in before hand, cover your head etc, and proceed through into it. But when I say 'in', it's not really because it's a huge square with a giant pond(?), and the temple stretches out on an island into that. Took photos, wandered around, looking at all the people (including some pilgrims just sleeping on the pathways), then headed over to the temple to see if we could make it for the Holy Book Reading. Absolute mayhem, with everyone pushing and crushing each other to get in. A flag came past us at one point and people went mad trying to touch it. Our white faces worked in our favour this time, as we were allowed to stop and watch the ceremony, while other actual Sikhs (some of whom had probably travelled great distances to get there) were forced out! It was a great experience, although I wasn't too impressed with the crushing crowds. Afterwards received some more blessed food (I'm hedging my bets), before proceeding out and doing back with our cycle rickshaw guys, through the crazy streets, to the hotel.

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Comments

[Fern]

Namaste
Your blogs have been wonderful -- enormously entertaining and great photos. But just remember that while you're having the experiences of a life time we're slogging away on all these bloody journals, so be prepared to work very, very hard when you return. There's always a price to pay!