A day of Travel

What a whirl wind. Troy and I got up at 6am in order to meet the Indian team at 9am. We had breakfast and were downstairs in the lobby waiting for them. At 10:30 am we finally left for Shimla an Indian resort area high in the mountains. As you would guess Troy and I loved it.

Unfortunately we had a few stops along the way. Simar and Sonya both got car sick going up the very windy road and we stopped so they could rearrange their meals and bond with nature.

On the way up the mountain we saw cows and buffalo in the streets they were absolutely anywhere they wanted to be. They were right in the middle of the market with people walking right around them. These were Brahma bulls that had no problem with people. If you were in America, people would be running scared to see a bull in a marketplace in a city with a ton of people around! Monkeys were also everywhere. As I was taking ones picture, one made it very clear I was not to come to close. So I used the telephoto lens. He bore his teeth and looked at me like he was going to attack!

On the road up to Shimla it was very windy and around every bend was a new experience. We were stopped about half way up and our Cabby got fined for not having the proper paperwork. He had to pay a fine of about $50. He was not happy. We continued up the mountain and saw monkeys, cows, big lizards that I could not identify, and many other things.

When we got to the top, we were amazed with this town. They had built hotels and buildings into the mountain to the point that there was absolutely no more mountain left! it was all buildings and they seemingly went up vertical forever. After checking into our hotel, which felt like a Big Bear Cabin, we went for a long walk with the rest of India...or at least that is how it felt. They had a series of elevators cut into the mountain that let you go up level by level until you got to the top. I felt good about this because it helped dad out. (not that he seemed to need it!)

At the top there were shops and a number of people just hanging out and having a good time. We walked around and checked things out. We took a picture with a policeman dressed in traditional gear. We also purchased some gifts for people back home. We also went into a catholic church that was at the top of the hill. This was Sonia's first time in a church! It was great fun.

After we were done at the top of the hill, we walked back down to the hotel and went to bed.

The next day we woke up and got ready to go to Simar's Native place. The gang was 1 hour late for this departure again! It was funny. India standard time is not like our country. We rode to the Native place, which is on the border of Pakistan and India. Simar told us that they speak the same language over there and they look the same and also their homes and structures are the same. Their religions are different and that is where the turmoil comes in. Anyway, once we got to his Father's house, we were greeted like kings. Some of the younger people (my age) that met dad would crouch down and touch his feet when they met him. This was the first time we saw this in India. It is a way that they respect their elders. Dad was a little confused at first, but got used to it.

After some visiting, we went to the market with Simar's dad and the team. It was like walking around the city with a dignitary or mayor. Everyone knew him and he would walk into shops and the shop keepers would give him gifts. As we were walking, their were about 50,000 vehicles, motor bikes, rickashaws, cows, bulls, etc. whizzing by. We just walked calmly through it all as we felt really safe with them. This was the first time that we actually crossed a busy street in India! it was fun.

After we were done shopping, we went to the school that his dad is a principal of. It was very impressive and a great school. We went to the cricket field and Dad immediately jumped up to the plate and asked for a pitch. He hit it out of the park and everyone cheered. He then threw a softball to one of the students and they cheered again. Two of the kids came up to us and asked for our autograph on their hands. We complied and they were ecstatic. I am sure that they went home immediately and showed their parents.

Back at Simar's parent's home, we looked at photos together and just had some good conversational time. It was very apparent that family relationships are everything here. Everyone seemed to get along quite nicely and it was a very good feel. Simar's brothers live with their parents and have one baby each. We met one brother and he was great. He is a Chartered Accountant and works with UK companies doing business over in India.

Oh, I forgot to say that we stopped by Baljeet's home town and met her parents as well. We needed to pick up a microwave for them to take back to Chanidarh. Some things are the same...it felt just like Jen and I getting something from our parents. It was fun. Also, some of her neighbors came out and started pushing money into her hands. This was customary when greeting a new bride. It was great to see.

Now we are waiting for the team to go to the Golden Temple. This is our first tourist destination that we are going to. It should be pretty cool. But there is something to say for seeing India the way we are...we are definitely getting to know the team well and understanding the culture more than you would otherwise. Thanks to Simar and team for that!