Amritsar

Caught the local bus to Pathankot, a four hour journey. Managed to get some sleep, well my bum and Yvonne's leg! Parts of the road are really very good, and some parts no so, and some parts a case of what road? The buses have very firm suspension, our spines can attest to this.

Arrived in Pathankot, in the Punjab. Found railway station where we had a ticket, 2 a/c, to Amritsar. Had a cup of char, and waited for the train.

2 a/c stands for second class air conditioned. In this case it was also sleeper class, which meant you had your own bunk.
On the train for 2 1/2 hours.
I thought Delhi was manic in terms of traffic, but Amritsar takes the biscuit. Total anarchy. The biggest, loudest horn wins!!

Hotel Veenus  International (sic). Non executive room £9,
a/c. Actually very clean. The only window looks onto corridor, but has a curtain. Find a nearby restaurant because we are both tired and hungry pay an outrageous sum of £5.75  for our meals. Large party of Australians came when we were halfway through, were pissed off because there was not a wine list!! lol:-) .
Went to wash/shower before bed, Yvonne saw a very large cockroach, must have been the size of a small cat!! I was going to train it to carry a ruck sack but before any negotiations it disappeared down the drain in the bathroom. We kept that door bolted during the night!

Next day off to see the 'Golden Temple'. The most holy place for Sikhs. Nice and peaceful. A nice change from the manic streets. Mike had his walking stick, some kind person offered him a wheel chair.

Also went to the India/Pakistan boarder (Attari-Wagah boarder closing ceremony). Every evening from around 5 till about 6.30 the Indians form up on their side, and the Pakistanis on theirs. They spend some time posturing, running up to the boarder gates with the flag of India, while the Pakistanis do much the same on their side. Then the Indians play music and dance a lot. The Pakistanis are not allowed to do this. After this guards/soldiers shout a lot and march up to the gate, with lots of high kicking and stamping. At the end the gates on both sides of the boarder are opened, they then lower the flags on both sides. The gates are then slammed shut. Still, better than a war, oh yeah, they do shoot and bomb each other as well.

Tonight we catch an overnight train towards Rishiskesh.
Next post 'how to cure a bad back'.