Day 3 continued - 19 November 2011 - The home of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama - Dharamasala

The view from the home of  the Dalai Lama

To be updated as from 24 May 2012..............

Saturday 19 November 2011 - Day 3 - From overnight train to dusty roads

Music to listen to whilst reflecting....................

Postcard 3 - Journal notes

At 07:00hrs we arrive at Pathankat Station. If I recall correctly, none of us felt particularly clean or invigorated. Another mad dash to make sure belongings are strapped to backs, and no one is left behind. We pass through the station where we are met by two drivers, splitting the team and allocating to vehicles while loading and tying down backpacks to the roof of people carriers.  Our next stop was for breakfast at the Jyoti to enjoy a feast of omelettes, bread, jams, honey and chai a spice milk tea. A quick chance to baby wipe freshen up, brush teeth before boarding vehicles for a two hour plus road journey to our next stay in Surya (meaning sun) Resort Hotel Dharamshala. The hotel is located in McLeod Ganj, a village within the Dharamshala municipality, the home of the  Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, and the exiled Tibetan government. 

My camera was glued to my eye, with my good ear alert (I am almost deaf in my right ear), trying to keep grounded, but in contradiction, capture and record as much as possible.  The sun rays, dust, views, warmth, speed, colours, sounds, create mixed emotions from relaxed to excited. To never wanting to return to the UK rat race. Music and vehicle horns compete to be heard. We pass vans packed tight, logo’s with “Blow your horn if you want to pass” with people heading to work or who knows?  Although vehicles travel at speed and have no road safety order there’s no road rage.  Unlike back home in the U.K.

Two or more hours later we arrive at our hotel.  Jane has paired off trekkers. My roomie? Hazel.  We love our room and politely check out who wants what bed and would like to shower first.  We freshen up, change and sort luggage with short spells of conversation as we settle in and prepare for the trek. This is such a different experience to the Sahara Desert Trek 2010. We were almost thrown straight into trekking. This trek provided advance days of over eating, sight seeing and moving from plane, train and auto-mobile. It made me somewhat nervous thinking I would become lazy and lose motivation.  

Friday 18 November 2011 - Day 2 - Delhi and the overnight train journey

Reflecting...music played while updating. 

Postcard 2 - Journal notes

After a 9 hour flight from Heathrow T4, the India charity trekking team safely arrive on New Delhi tarmac. Passports approved, stamped and luggage collected, we walk into arrivals welcomed by Jane and Raul, our Charity Challenge guides.  We experience a few delays whilst  changing currency and waiting for our driver to take us to our first schedule meeting.  

We continue to get to know each other, in-between, being individually greeted by Jane, as she dressed all in garnets of fresh marigold flowers, all excited travelling by mini bus in a dramatic climate change, atmosphere and environment.  I love it! 

I am not sure if this is my third journey to India, but the mayhem journey by road wasn't such a shock to my system as it was to new India visitors.  Tuk tuk’s, cars, vans and wagons continually alert each other by horn, they are passing by.  The noise is musical.  We pass India’s Gate with a mix of local music from our vehicle, other road users and stalls along the way.  

 

We register into the Johti Mahal Hotel to freshen up, sit together sharing the local cuisine and hear the trek schedule planned by Jane.  The food was fresh, colourful and flavoursome.  After our meal we had a few hours to cram in the local sights and absorb the atmosphere. 

We visit the Masjid-i Jahan-Numa, commonly known as the Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi.  To adhere to, and respect Muslim etiquette, female tourists are required to hire a full length gown.  The gowns cover from neck to ankle with a similar design to a floral, one fits all, light weight dressing gown.  A few of us shy to take photographs, were amazed how locals and other visitors welcomed being snap shot .  Individuals and families rushed over asking us to capture them on photographic memory.  In contrast to the UK, parents and children rushed over asking us to take a child/family photograph.  Smiles on faces when we photographed, and when we shared what our digital camera screen moment had captured.

Time fled by, and before we knew it we were called to experience more of Delhi.  In a rush, we returned gowns, tied on shoes and in pairs all took seats in rik shaws, for the equivalent of a mad roller coaster ride through tight, swerving, busy market roads and lanes.  I would be very surprised if one team member walked away from that fun, fast, mayhem journey without at least one bruise.



We return to Johti Mahal Hotel, collect our rucksacks, board our bus and set off for another meal stop.  I am already starting to feel sick of food.  Good food, but too much in one day.  After this meal we head to, and join in the un-organised rush of, finding and boarding our train for an overnight 12 hour journey.  

PHEW! All safely on board and co-ordinated by Jane, we find our sleeping bunk.  I remember thinking, this is mental but funny.  Bunks lower and upper, run along one side of the train.  I have a lower bunk with a window.  Hazel my co trekker, above.  From here there’s a very narrow walkway, corridor, breaking the gap from chambers of 2 lower and upper bunks.  If you have the slight luxury of a full window you have the privacy by means of a curtain.  For those opposite, they share with four, or more, and a curtain to close them off walkway/corridor activity to the loo or exits.  

At this stage I think, we are all still quite shy, so most try to snuggle down and rest ready for the trek ahead.  We have no idea what is going through the others mind.  Maybe all having our own anxieties, excitements, regrets, wonder…the list could go on.  One thing  we shared eventually, not many had slept well that overnight train journey.  I felt dread if I needed the loo.  My first experience, viewing the facilities along with the stench, I automatically wretched.  BUT! I have to confess, it was all part of the experience and I smiled.  When you've got to go, you just have to go! Although the train was warm and rocked most gently to sleep I was too alert.  My mind travelled ahead into the trek, and my eyes captured images from my bunk train window.  Gentle noise of snoring, the train smoothly moving on the tracks, dim lights, curtains swaying in coordination with train motion, warm and sticky air, I drifted in and out of sleep with a smile on my face and some anxiety.

My journal postcards slowly return to me via post from the India trek

A collection of postcards selected to write daily journals.

I think it was a couple of weeks returning from the India charity trek back to the U.K, I started to collect daily from my postbox my day to day postcard journal. Twelve cards in total to read, reflect and prompt me to post that wonderful mini adventure November 2011. I raised a total of just over £1600.00 for Acorns Children's Hospice. Once again I thank all who supported, encouraged and sponsored me on my self funding trek, and what was another amazing journey. 

Thursday 17 November 2011 - Day 1 starting out........

In comparison to day one of my Sahara Desert charity trek last September, I felt considerably calm.  I had not even completely packed and had an early appointment booked in the city centre at 9am.  A ladies wax in time for the trek, for comfort and hygiene, knowing the lack of washing facilities this mini adventure would take away.  My pal Jay sent me a great pre trek text hoping paying and suffering various body part waxing did not create a painful journey.  Us girls and our sense of humour!

I strolled into the city for my appointment and after took time out to sit down and enjoy a quick bite at EAT cafe.   I walk home and my mind starts to wonder when I passed the coach station.  At 1pm I would be sitting in that coach station, tickets in hand ready to board my booked coach to take me to Heathrow T4.

When the time felt right to finally pack the last essential items, zip up my new rucksack and padlock I suddenly had the fast realisation, I'd been too laid back, assuming all would fit in nicely with no problem.  After all, I had been very mindful laying out crucial kit and recommendations from Charity Challenge.  I actually broke out into a sweat, trying to squeeze in tightly trekking gear and make the zips meet.  Panic starts to set in when I check what time it is, and how close I am risking getting behind on my programme. I frantically began to pull items out, thinking what the hell I will just have to get  by! There was no-way I could miss the coach I had booked. To allow for any problems on the motorway and arrive at least 3hours before the flight as instructed by trek organisers, I had set my time plan.

Hot, flustered, no longer feeling calm I arrive at the coach station.  After only a 15 minute wait, I board.  Backpack on board, I settle in and remind myself, I have a good few hours to come back down to earth and calm down.  Although, I continue to check I have my passport and my India Visa information was correct. Calmer, eventually, after the coach journey, I collect my belongings and head to the Charity Challenge meeting point.  There were eight charity trekkers registered, all supporting different charities.  I meet Julia in person for the first time.  We greet each other with a friendly smile and kiss on the cheek.  Julia contacted me by email inviting me to call her on her mobile.  In advance of the trek we had chatted a few times, sharing our nerves and excitement about the experience waiting for us.  Julia not only had a smiley, pleasant voice during our conversations, she had a warm, beautiful welcome smile in person.  She put me at ease and immediately made me feel I had made a good choice selecting this particular charity adventure.   

Julia, Tracey 1 and Clare all check in.  One team member trekker hadn't arrived at this point. Will, Martin, Tracey 2 and I decide to wait behind for them.  We start to get to know each other as we wait.  Sharing names and charities it wasn't long before our wait was over and we were introduced to young Hazel. I had no idea at this time Hazel would be my roomie and mischievous friend and trekking partner in par with Julia. Checking in goes smoothly, boarding passes approved, overhead luggage stashed away and all ready to relax as we fly to Delhi Airport.

Nervous since November!

Prior to setting out on my charity trek in November I sat with a consultant discussing surgery.  In agreement I booked my appointment for long awaited surgery to take place 30 December. Anxiety began Christmas as the day came closer. Early Friday morning, bags packed, jobs completed at home I call for a taxi. I am booked for an overnight stay at the Priory Hospital, where I was looked after first class.  The staff and my consultant were angels. All pleased with progress I am permitted to go home late New Years eve.  My taxi collects me, drops me home ready to welcome 2012, with two weeks booked off for recovery time.  Hopefully I can start to recall and brief my blog with notes and photos of the India trek.

Where I can control I will make this a good new year, when I can't I hope to learn, develop and grow stronger. I open a blank page to start my journey of 2012.  Happy New Year to all: wishing you the best of health, contentment, peace and to bring to life those dreams put on hold.

Not too good at the moment, will pick up for 2012.

Not feeling too good since I returned from charity trekking in India.  Flu'd up, on prescription for an ear infection and thought I had cracked ribs due to a fall.  Fortunately my GP thinks it's just internal bruising but wants me to monitor for symptoms she asked me to look out for.  Turned 43 6 December. Another year wiser.