Home Coming

We came along with Darjeeling mail to Sealdah. In Kolkotta we stayed in Gitanjali. High amount of pollution in the metro showed up as black dirt in my nose after a short drive from Sealdah station to the hotel. We reached Sealdah around 6am and left from Howrah at 3pm by Coromandal Express. In between we had time to see the new market and buy some clothes and to taste the traffic jams of Kolkotta. Took a rickshaw drive for amusement and saw a tram which is seen only in Kolkotta when in India. The massive Howrah bridge will stay afresh in my memory.




We got stuck in Madras on X-mas day. We were in the waiting list of Trivandrum mail. This year’s X-mas was in hotel Picnic with ‘fire ball’ from Sikkim. We reached home on 27th in Kochu Veli express, a special train during Sabarimala season.

2008 Review

This year was pretty good. There were both good and bad times. My mother’s mother passed away, learned the severity of blood cancer when it took my aunt’s husband away from us, had our family together in Qatar, started a blog, my son started schooling, went for a long journey and now I am ready to swing into 2009.

Viewing Sikkim.

We went for a walk in the evening. We went to the MG Marg. The road is paved with stones and is intended only for pedestrians .It is the only MG road named meaningfully I have seen, because Mahathma Gandhi was a pedestrian. There were a number of shops around it. We bought mittens, gloves, shoes, a hiking bag and some souvenirs.




The cleanliness of the town is commentable. It was very neat. We could see the importance Govt. gave to pedestrians. The footpaths had hand rails in all busy routes.





Gangtok was a bit colder. That much cold we experience in Ooty, kodai , Munnar , waynad etc.



The next day we went to see Nathuala pass which is between China and India. To see snow clad mountains we had to travel more than 3 hours. We saw army camps, mountain settlements and numerous small streams. Everyone who came for this adventure was keen to see the snow.








After covering 14200ft altitude we got down from the vehicle. Everyone seemed normal. But we could feel the oxygen deficiency. I felt slightly dizzy. So we took rest for a while and then started climbing up to reach the top most point which was some 30m away. It was physically demanding. As advised we had had popcorn and climbed at a low pace. I felt my heart beating at a greater speed and thought it may come out just as in Tom and Jerry. So we gave lot of time gap between every ten steps.



Finally when we reached, there was Indian flag fluttering in the cold breeze. There were Indian soldiers on one side and Chinese soldiers on the other side of a small fence. Both were very friendly to us. We had tea from the army canteen and took snow in hand. There was not enough to make a snow man. It was freezing cold.



While we sleep peacefully it is these soldiers who guard us never minding the harsh climates.Nathula pass was closed. If it is open we can cross the border and buy things from China.












After that we returned and on the way got down at Tsango Lake. This lake will be frozen during severe winter, mostly in Jan and Feb. There we had Yak rides. I was afraid of this animal which had a monster like look. Poor creatures they moved only at the command of their owners.



Then we went down to Baba mandir. I was too tired, especially felt it in my chest. I had head ache also. So took rest when other group members went out. The driver suggested an extra view point, but everyone said no to it. So we winded our trip. By 4:30, the sun set. There was heavy fog on the way. Our driver washed his car from a stream on the way and we were busy passing comments like, “You wash your car once a year?”

Fog had descended and spread in the valleys, an eye catching site though tough to cope. It was drizzling when we reached. Our driver told, “From next day onwards the temperature will gradually drop down. There will be snow fall in the mountains. No tourist will be allowed to go beyond a certain point. They allows but in our own risk.” We felt lucky to see the border then.

By 6:30pm we were in the taxi stand. I got down and vomited nicely. Went back to Hungry Jack, took a paracetamol and slept for an hour and woke up just as fresh as in the morning.

The next day we had to go back. Our train from NJP was at 8pm. So we thought of going in the rope way. But there was no luck. There was assembly meeting and they had closed the rope way due to that. We went to the flower show. It was good. There was some flora unique to the mountains.



Then went to see Bathang falls. Scenic, but our(Kerala) road side drainages have more water than it.



Then we went to craft emporium. Bought a baku for myself, which is the traditional dress of Sikkim. I really admired Rinchen, wearing it.




That’s it. Trip of the year got over. Tomato chutney and passion fruit squash are must buy from Sikkim. Everyone here loved both. My friend should have warned me of the Dallale chilly pickle. It’s so hot and it is what we call hot. I am keeping it for turning away some people.

Everyone at home was really worried. They had questioned us for such a long and risky journey especially after the Mumbai terrorist episode. But for my friendship with Rinchen this trip wouldn’t have been possible. Don’t know whether I will be returning to this land in this life time. For sure, my memories will wander back.

Journey from NJP to Gangtok

We had to go offline for a while. Our connection got cut due to some silly reasons.

New Jal Paiguri is the nearest railway station to Sikkim. From Jalpaiguri onwards my eyes wandered for the Himalayas. We had to wait for an hour more to see them. They were not snow clad. We travelled along a beautiful river called Teesta. The river was not deep. Some tourists were kayaking in the river.





We saw a massive dam under construction. There were monkeys sitting on the side of Sevok road waiting for food given by the passengers.



Rangpo is a border town between Sikkim and Bengal. The Bengal side of the town had many pan shops and the other side had many wine shops. Pan is banned in Sikkim and the state is famous for alcohol. In twenty minutes we reached Singtam and in 40 minutes came Gangtok. We could see two breweries on our way. We saw terrace farming there.




It was such a relief to see a good road not too steep and without any hair pin turns usually seen in hilly areas. I am very much afraid of them. The border road organisation is doing a very good job there. These roads face a lot of erosion due to landslides, monsoons and small streams that springs when the snow melts plus it’s their only road to Siliguri. It’s a commercial centre close to NJP. Anything needed for life in mountains can be purchased from there at a cheap rate.

We reached Gangtok around 1:30pm. The journey was good, had some pleasant moments with Rinchen and her brother.

Quick Tour

This post is a quick tour of our journey to Sikkim.From Chennai we left at 3pm. Our agent informed our plane is going to get delayed. We worried whether we will be delayed indefinitely and miss the train to Sikkim. The lesson learned is never trust the flight timings, especially that of IC. Plan enough break time between journeys.
Our plane was delayed for one hour. I was sure to see a celebrity on the way. I saw Kumble on the airport. He was on the phone all the time.

We could catch the train. Got a glimpse of the good and worse parts of Chennai and Kolkotta.Hired a taxi to the Sealdah station. We started from Kolkotta around 10pm. The whether was cold, but not too cold.Some woolen clothes and bed sheets saved us from the cold. Our co passengers were to Siliguri. We reached on right time, around 8am.

All went well and was very happy and relieved to see Rinchen and Sonam (Thanks). Had a pleasant journey from Siliguri to Sikkim. It was quiet an experience with beautiful scenery. The journeys through the plains were very good. I will share the experiences in the Himalayan moutains in next post. This is from Hungry Jack, Gangtok.

From Chennai

Our journey home started at 9pm on 15th December. As we left Bab Al Khor, I felt sad and I knew I will miss her.But I had missed my mother land for more than 7 months. Everyone and everything looked the same, except new ads which had gained space in towns. They seemed to make her little more posh.

I thought I won’t be using internet here and was considering it as an opportunity for deaddiction. But the IT is growing at an enormous speed that it will stick to its lovers like glue. We got a USB modem from Reliance. It has lifelong longevity and can be used anywhere in India for one month, unlimitedly. After that we have to recharge it. So I continue to be a mouse potato.

This post is from Chennai, Royal Paris. Alappey Express took us here. Journey was good. Next destination is Kolkotta. We will be leaving shortly.

Surfing and Travelling

Tomorrow I will be busy packing. On 16th I have to be in Kerala. Right now, I am surfing frantically. Coz, day after tomorrow I will be in a net free zone. But I hope to have an year end review and a travelogue from a new place. So this is
definitely not the last post of the year. A wish and hope.

Sarlas

We had special guests yesterday. So I made Biriyani; for the first time. An apparently herculean task reduced to a game of left hand. I forgot to get it on lens. This is a side dish for Biriyani. We call it Sarlas. It is also known as onion raitha and salad. A mix of sliced onions, salt and curd. I have sprinkled red chilly powder for the red colour.



This flower is simple. All we have to do is peel a tomato and curl it.



My expectation about the lunch was limited success, but enjoyed a big one.

Shopping

I love days like this. We are going for a shopping spree. My husband is absolutely clueless about the list as I don’t have one. As usual Lulu is going to be our destination. Dismayed by the global financial crisis I am doing my bit to fuel the economy. Not actually, can't wait for the right time as our leave will lapse if not acquired on time.

Unbearably light post

"The unbearable lightness of being", I have felt it many a times; when I travel through country roads, when someone else takes my position in my absence, when I stay in the four walls of a room in a dynamic world etc. It is a famous novel by Milan Kundera set in Prague 1962.

I didn't read it. I read only the review. That's how I go about novels these days. Liked it and would love to read it. Also read the review of "The Memoirs of a geisha" by Arthur Golden. Now there are two books I would love to read.

Hajj hols are here; 3 days from today. I am left with nothing to do, but to plan and arrange the grand hols starting from 15th. This post, I guess is going to be useful as a remider.

Experiments with fasting

The vacation is planned from 15th. As usual my weight started bothering me. At home all are loving and caring. They speak very wisely and select only topics that affect us little. But my misinterpretations offset their intention to placate.

“You have become fat and good. But look at him; he looks the same, worse."Which I interpret like this, I do everything to make me good and take little care of him or I cook badly. Very true sometimes, but the last thing I want them to know. Poor people, the last thing they meant were this from the small talk.

This time also there is chance for such talks. I must do something to reverse it.

This thought made me experiment fasting. Yesterday, fasted. Fasting started from day before yesterday soon after sunset. Yesterday after sun set, broke it. It was pretty easy and all went very well.

Nothing seemed to bother except... me being temperamental for a while at night. But could crack some jokes in between. So that was a minor trouble. I observed that as far as I am concerned tea is an unavoidable drink; the morning tea... Spend some time thinking whether to have or not have it. Then finally decided to have it, without which I would have gone very low. The last one hour was the hardest. I lit the lamp for prayer and started chanting hymns half an hour earlier. So fasting can advance us in the spiritual path. I gave up noodles, chocolate wafers, potato chips and the things I prepare for my son. So this enabled me to realize how I get fat in spite of having small amounts of regular meals. My stomach did reduce an inch or two. But today, after a regular day following the day of fasting, it has gone back to its previous state.

For the first time lunch was prepared before noon on a Friday. So my husband observed, “If you fast everything will run on time neatly.” I had prepared a colourful lunch for him; rice (white), Spinach (green), peas and plantains (brown) and traditional moru (curd) curry (yellow).

My fasting was far from the best. I drank water, tea, and honey in water and tasted the food items I cooked (not because I was hungry, but to ensure a tasty lunch). It’s always better to follow a scientific way of approach to fasting and to advance spiritually, incorporate religious days and methods.

These were the observations and conclusions of this fast. This was not my first fast. Years before I used to fast. In the last year of my college I had tried it several times. The first fast was simple; taking a meal in a day. Then the intensity of fasting gradually increased. Once I almost fainted after a day’s fast while returning home from the nearest temple. But, the enthusiasm to fast only increased.

At home no one had taught me to fast. In my childhood being hungry seemed an utopian idea. The numerous benefits of fasting attracted me. Weight loss, healing, cleansing the body and spiritual advancements are some of them. I would like to continue this practice a day per week.