Travel diary- 18-01-08 at 8:45 PM

Be careful!

Today has been a hair-raising experience. I am back in the Ashram now, in my room, my appetite sated with a light dinner of "Kitchari and Kadhi" (gujarati stuff roughly translated to hotchpotch and curry). Let me begin from this morning.

I woke up this morning craving for some good bread - pumpernickel would be great! I love my Gujarati food but somehow I've become used to non-spicy food and I don't like my mouth stinging at every meal.

I knew that the only way I could buy it was go to Rishikesh where I could get it from the bakeries meant for foreigners. Indians, as you must be well aware have their own sort of bread i.e. our chapatis, parathas, kulchas and various other sorts.
I decided I would leave in the afternoon as it is a mere 22 kms from where I have put up. Calculate an hour's travelling. That would mean, I could be back by early evening, even if I went for a walk out there.
So...I went to the river bank across the Ashram (BTW the river banks are called "GHAAT" in Hindi) as usual and sat there until mid-day. Today, I read "Durga Shaptashati" which is a powerful book, stating the power of Goddess Durga and her forms of Kali, Chandi, Shakti,etc. Very interesting stories. I'll put them down here one day if you're interested. *raps herself on the head* "you're moving away from the topic"
*gather my thoughts* Anyway, so at mid-day, I took the "shuttle" auto rickshaw, sharing it with 10 odd people. No bargaining-fixed prices. It is the cheapest means to travel. If you're ever in India, you must try it. It's fun in its own way! *grins* I paid Rs.20 (roughly 50 cents-hardly a fortune!)

Reaching Rishikesh, I got down at Ram Jhula. You need to understand that Haridwar and Rishikesh; both of these towns are connected east to west by a number of bridges.
"Ram Jhula", simply explained is a bridge, connecting the East of Rishikesh to the West. It is on the Northen side of the town while it's brother "Lakshman Jhula" is in the South. I stayed here for a day, living in an Ashram before I started making notes in my diary. Thus, I was familiar with the roads.
Off I went along the path, enjoying the view. I was enraptured with the view. The entire walk takes around an hour and half from Ram Jhula to Laksham Jhula when you walk briskly, passing the shops along the way. I walked slowly to and back,bought my bread and enjoyed a cup of coffee and a chocolate doughnut, breathing in the misty fresh air. I was quite happy.
By the time I reached back to Ram Jhula, I realised my folly. My smile faded as I realised it was getting on to be 18.00 hours and the sun had set! I could've kicked myself for being so stupid, staying out late even when I'd been well aware of how dangerous it is in these parts.
Oh well, time to go back and pray no ill befalls me. Are you puzzled by what I felt? Why do I say it is dangerous? If so, remember this the state where women are raped at will and thrown away, where many Indian and foreign female tourists travelling alone, are known to have been ill-treated. Besides, the local woman had mentioned that none of the women there, with a pinch of common sense would venture out alone after dark.
OH perfect! Now what??!!

* Watch out for the conclusion in the next post* Feel a bit tired.