Tour Diary - Indian Winter

Never have I ever experienced an Indian winter where weather condition dominates news channels? Living in Canada one gets used to hearing weather news all the time but in India it’s almost trivial. It does get some space in daily news but not to the extent where it almost overshadows news related to bombings, army fighting militants and many more grave situations that plague the nation. Foggy conditions throughout the day, dew in the night and low temperatures have really slowed down everything here. People are advised to stay indoors unless it’s really urgent. Hmm… I wonder how it is different from a Canadian winter???

I still haven’t seen real sunshine for over a week that I have been here. Tea is basically order of the day and along with it number of appetizers to die for - Samosas, Laddoos, Home-made sweets and many other finger licking delicious items. Laden they may be with Oil, Butter, Lard and so much more, one cannot avoid them. I have no worries of putting on weight J. They are apparently served with my mother’s love and affection so I enjoy it even more. I always seem to be losing weight for her so she doesn’t mind stuffing all that in my mouth at once. If that’s not enough, you have various other spicy and eclectic dishes that are just as spectacular as others. Just like Indian folk music they bring a feeling of serenity after you consume them. Eating all that on the rooftop in the company of sunshine would have topped everything but I guess I will have to wait a bit more for that.

Despite the bad weather this year, the visit so far is quite relaxing and enduring. I don’t feel I ever left this place and Guelph flashes in front me as a place I visited on a small visit to Canada. But I am like that – once I go to a place, I forget about other places although India is something different and I never seem to get over it. You are so drawn and sucked into its myriad traditions that it’s hard to come out of it. I met an elderly Australian couple on my flight to New Delhi this time and their enthusiasm for the country was unbelievable despite recent bombings in Mumbai. it was their second visit to the country in 2 successive years and this time they are exploring different parts of the country and spending almost a month doing so. They plan to come again next year as they know there is so much else to see.

I just hope I soon get time to trek in Himalayas and go on highest altitude possible. And yes, journey will have to be only on a Motorbike (my love).