The trains are clean here – they give you fresh sheets and pillows if you have a sleeper and there are hawkers walking up and down the train at regular intervals selling tea, coffee, water, magazines, snacks and other random things so you never even have to leave your seat! We liked that!
The views were ok, it reminded us of being back in England on a dry summer’s day in some parts – a really hazy one though. It has generally been really hazy here except for in the mountains. We’re not sure whether it is due to pollution or dust from the ground (probably both). The dusty and dirty atmposhpere certainly makes you appreciate a shower at the end of the day!
After a 9 hour journey we got off the train at Delhi Railway Station. Not the most pleasant station in the world (it’s actually a rat infested hole) so we made our way quickly out and after lots of haggling with the taxi and rickshaw drivers (which almost ended up in a fight between the drivers), we made our way back to my Masi’s house. Needless to say, they tried to charge us more at the other end but I let my cousin sort that out – thanks Kartik!
Neha, Kartik’s sister and hence my other cousin, had arrived back in Delhi from Bangalore for her break from Uni and it was lovely to see her. And of course, my little mother who came bearing cuddles and gifts (primarily our brand new laptop!). It was so good to see mum again and know that we were going to be with her for the next 10 days or so and get looked after a bit! We thought it would be a bit of a squeeze in the house on the sleeping front but Masi managed to sort out enough bed spaces for us all, so after a few G&T’s and lots of excitement we crashed out as we had an early start the next day.
My Masi and cousin’s fit out of their new house was not yet finished. Regardless of this, before they could actually move in a puja (blessing) was in order. We went to the new house with the bits and pieces required for the puja – boxes of Indian sweets, 5 types of fruit, leaves to hang on the door, ghee (cooking fat) for the fire, bits of wood, tikka (red colouring for our forehead)and the rakhi (red string used in holy ceremonies) for our wrists. The Pandit (holy man) arrived soon after and we all sat down and we watched him do his stuff. I had never seen this done before so it was a new experience for both of us!
It went on for about 1 ½ hours and was a bit emotional at the end when the pandit started chanting a prayer that my Nana (grandfather) used to use. This was the start of a new era for the family - the old house had belonged to my grandparents who both passed away last year within a week of each other. My Nani (grandmother) had been ill for a while and her death was kind of expected but I think my Nana passed away soon after as a result of a broken heart which was so sad. The family have had the old house for around 35 years I think, so it was sad to say goodbye to it but as I understand, it was time for a change and we wish them all the best!
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