Not too much to report in this blog so it will only be a quick one. Arrived in Amritsar last Monday and decided to get some sleep, as guarding our bags on the train didn't allow us much sleep. That afternoon we took a stroll around the main city and then went and ate in a very trendy little outfit called Chrystals which played hindi music- techno style! We planned to go and visit the Golden temple on Tuesday but we woke up to find our plans quashed as it was absolutely chucking it down. After trying to find things to do in our tiny guesthouse we decided to brave the weather and adorned our raincoats, something which the Indians found very amusing- we looked like right tourists but were nice and dry so we put up with the giggling. Dean had dragged me around the streets for two hours and so we decided to go and get some hot chocolate from a cool little coffee house before braving the walk back. They actaully serve the best hot chocolate in history there- bold statement but so true!

When we got back to Tourist Guesthouse the owner told us that he had two English guys going to the Waggha border at 3 and asked if we would like to join them as it was cheaper that way. The weather was a bit of a put off but we decided to go for it. Why not eh?! The journey there was bit scary as Indian cars aren't geared up for rain and cold weather together and so the driver couldn't actually see out of his windscreen but it was ok because he had a cloth, a horn and we could see red brake lights- what more could you possibly need? The border ceremony was crazy and the Indian turn out was great! There was lots of chanting and shouting at the Pakistan side and the guards played their part by marching (in a very strange yet impressive and energetic style) up to the border and trying to out do the Pakistani guards. We felt a bit uncomfortable as we got ushered into the VIP stand (what with the white skin and all) which was pretty much empty but once the ceremony started we were fine.

Went to the Golden temple the next day which was just awesome and thankfully it was a really nice day. Was great to just sit and chill by the nectar pool and people watch. Before we went to the memorial gardens nearby we spotted a shop selling chocolate- got cornettos for 25rs which is like 35p at most! Bargain!!When we returned to the Golden temple that evening there was alot of commotion as some American guy was there but we had no clue who he was. It was also really cool to see everyone just stop at once and start praying. Really quite moving!

On Thursday we decided to head for Mcloed Ganj where the Dalai Lama lives. We are still here now and will probably leave on thurs or fri as I have decided to take a level one reiki course and Dean wants to go on a trek up to Triund.

Em and Dean

xxx