Indian friendliness and hospitality
What a great day it has been. I have had the most wonderful morning today to be followed by an equally interesting afternoon. I wanted to jot down something of what happened today. Let me begin from the beginning.
Just after a bath in the ice-cold river Ganges at five in the morning,which refreshed me after the first shuddering dip, I decided I shall leave the merry couple behind who had been attentive towards me since the train journey. They had their shopping to finish and were ready to go back to Surat (another city in Gujarat)
Hunting around for an auto rickshaw and bargaining a rate has been a pain the last few days but I think, I'm becoming quite skilled at it. 
Today however, I found none who were ready to go to the Ashram where I was putting up.
Was deep in thoughts on what to do, when I was called by an autorickshaw guy. (These are "shuttle rickshaw" drivers who would cram as many as ten people in one big rickshaw and charge the minimum rate.) He asked me if I'd like to go uphill to "CHANDI TEMPLE". I had not planned on going there....had no camera with me. There was another couple with their daughter inside it. They smiled at me and said " come on, the goddess call you. Must come."
I smiled..oh these nice, ignorant, blind believers!But then I saw a great adventure coming up. Besides, I couldn't resist the smile the little girl gave while inviting me. 
Once I sat down- they invited me to this trip...insistent that they pay for it. They paid for my cup of coffee and said that since I was a guest in that area, they were glad to be friendly and hospitable.
In this State called Uttaranchal, which is berated for rape, sexual harrassment and injustice towards women, it was an eye opener to find people looking for a woman travelling alone.
Mrs_F
I have seen the pics that had been posted some time back. Delightful is the word for them! 
Sounds like you are having a great time.
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