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We have finally lmade it out of Mcleod Ganj without becoming a buddhist monk, a hippie or addicted to cashew nuts!!!
Headed off to Amritsar on 5am bus, met a South African lass on route who we then spent the next 24hrs with (Sarah says that is all she could have managed to put up with). A note to anyone planning on doing Dharmshala - Amritsar 5/6hr bus (123INR), do NOT under any circumstance sit on the back seat as roads are VERY bumpy, you even lift off the seat at times! The roof rack might have been a safer option. Anyhow you can do Amritsar for free near enough. 10 rupees for cycle rickshaw for station to Temple, although they will try and give you 5* tourist rates! The 3 of us stayed in the dorms at the Golden Temple (free but give alittle if you can find the actual donation box), buckets of cold water in dorms for showering and toilets are across the courtyard, not ideal if you have dodgy stomach! The free kitchen is across from dorms but you need to lose the shoes, wash hands, face and wear head scarf to enter. We had a nice spicy dal, rice and chappatis for breakfast one morning. I try and put pics of Golden Temple on soon.
Then we spent 65 rupees each to get to Pakistan border and back in taxi to see the opening/closing of gates. I was really looking forward to it but was dissapointed, it was overrated! But worth it to see all the different colours of saris the women wore. The men went mad a little, it was like a England Scotland footie game! With the recent bombings i suppose they were given it extra loudy! We thought it could have easily gotten out of hand. You don't get to see the Pakistani gaurds lead up to the gates opening, they looked a little more chilled.
The free kitchen is a must! Loved it!
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