Trip to the North!

Dec 07:

This was my first trip to the North, thanks to Zombie's wedding plans in punjab. Decided just 2 days back and there I am ready with the air tickets to Delhi. Booked a ticket on Air Deccan flight, thanks again to the deal. All set and ready bought a new Wildcraft backpack and completely packed it to the limit. Started off on Thursday 4PM. Safe flight and landed and in Delhi and took a bus to the Bus stand. Got down at Laal Kila. Headed to Chandni Chowk to taste some Aloo Paratha at the famous paratha street. From there, planned to take a Volvo to Jalandhar. This was a one-time experience I had, given that I am allergic to bus rides, believe me I dont use the office shuttle. I just cant tolerate the bus journey. Anyways, i was encountered with a pleasant surprise. The road to jalandhar was just too good. The whole journey of 380 KM was just for a little more than 5 hrs. Had to get down at Haveli as per zombies instruction. Believe me, this was a great journey given the weather conditions. The road ahead was just simply not visible due to the thickest fog I have ever got to see all my life. The driver missed hitting the divider many a times. Finally landed on punjab soil around 5AM. Zombie arrived there in 15 minutes by which I was already frozen cos of temp arnd 5 degrees.



Dec 08:

Took rest at the hotel and did a city sight seeing of Jalandhar model town, back at Lilly resorts and got ready for the bhangra dance at the baraat. God it was freezing cold. Had many rounds of "Blenders Pride" to keep myself warm. Marriage went on upto 4AM and dead tired by then.



Dec 09:

This was the day when I saw the most beautiful places of India. Got up late because of the over dose of whisky last night. Started to Amritsar at 2 and reached by 4. Headed straight to Wagah Border and reached just in time for the parade. It was just too good a sight to see the great Indian soldiers marching and the ceremony of the **gates of friendship** being opened. From here left to the most CLEAN and beautiful temple of India, the GOLDEN TEMPLE. I just loved this place. So well maintained. Finished the darshan and went to Langar for the food. So tasty it was!!!!

Also saw the Jalianwalabagh, and by now it was already 10 and I had to catch the train from Jalandhar to Delhi at 12. There was no way I could reach jalandhar before 12. Hence took a bus to Delhi. Unfortunately got the last seat of the bus and it was indeed a painful journey of 9 hours. Finally reached Delhi around 7 AM.





Dec 10:

Hired a cab and saw around a few places in delhi in the likes of Birla temple, Lotus, India Gate and the Parliament. Went to Delhi durbar for dinner. Crashed to bed at 11 as I had to catch a train at 4.45 AM to Jaipur.




Dec 11:

It was quite crazy and hectic today. Reached Jaipur around 11 and then hired a prepaid rick to see around Jaipur. Crazy because I was all alone seeing Jaipur. Hectic because I had to catch another train in the evening to Kota for another wedding. The auto driver was really helpful in showing me all the places around very patiently, listening to all the crap I was giving him. Some snaps below.





Dec 12, 13, 14 and 15:

Four days full of music, dance and fun marked Prashant's marriage partly in Rajastan and partly in MP. By now I was totally exhausted of all the journey and dancing. Took a train to Mumbai on 15 evening and paid 600 bucks extra to get a berth, however finally had to sleep in a box as there was no berth available.

Dec 16:

Reached Mumbai, the city of constant buzz. No wonder why people call it a fast city. Had my first experience when I took the local train. GOD its just unbelievable how it happens. You just stand on the platform and the next second you are inside the train and you stand on the door and withing seconds you are out of the train. I simply loved it. It was a Mumbai darshan for as less as 50 /-. Stayed for the night at VM's place. Believe me Mumbai is a place where you can party for as less as 100 Rs or as costly as one can afford. Went to a Bandra restaurant to find out that 1 Rumali roti costs a whopping 110 bucks!!!



Dec 17:

Finally the day came when I had to pack bags and return home. Just the thought about realizing tat the vacation was over made me feel sad, but thats how life goes. Took a flight from Mumbai to Blore again in the **Dhakkan**.