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Another train, and another delay. We were supposed to catch the train at 16.30 and take the twelve hour journey to Jallandhar, where we would catch a further train at 5.45 to arrive in the city of Amritsar. We had a wait of only 1.30 minutes at that station which was just wishful thinking that we would be able to get on it.
So upon arrival at the station in Jaipur we first saw the delay of 2 hours and felt that trying to change our second ticket now would be a good idea if possible. We started at the tourist office, and the gentleman there kindly pointed us in the right direction. Next stop was a few doors along, where a further 4 people after a good ten minutes decided it wasn´t there problem and sent us further along the platform. The third stop, where a further 2 people "helped" us and told us to sort it at the next station when we arrived, but this took them at least 10 minutes to tell us this as we stood with our heavy bags on, people shoving us and the heat almost melting us away. On the plus side, it wasted some of the two hours that we had to wait.
We obviously did not catch our connecting train, so we tried again to sort out a connection to Amritsar, which took a further 4 people to tell us, after 20 minutes that we could get on the next train but couldn´t guarantee it would be the AC beds that we were now used to. Our luck wasn´t in, and when we boarded the train, we were shunted into the non AC compartment with three tier beds accompanied by sweaty men who don´t realise it is rude to stare.
Never the less, we made it to Amritsar in one piece almost 4 hours after we had planned. It was now almost midday and the sun was beating down and hunger had set in. We ventured out for lunch to an entirely vegetarian restaurant, which by now we were used to and then got ready for a trip to the Pakistan/India border which is a little outside of the city. This is not to be missed if you are in the area. We paid 1200 rupees for a hired car, but I´m sure you could get it cheaper if you went by bus, and headed to the "show." This is a daily occurence, when they lower the flags and close the border crossing for the day at sunset.
It is a parade, a dance show and god knows what else. Take your passport, as foreigners are separated and are given better seats or not as crowded at least. There was music, whilst women run up to the border carrying the flag, also after a large group of women then took up dancing before the guards, with lots of shouting, took up marching up to the gate that separates the two countries. The men marching also included some very high legged kicks and we can only assume that on the pakistani side they were also doing the same, but not as many people went to view it.
After the highly amussing parade we headed back to Amritsar. The following day, and our last day of holidays we headed to the popular golden temple. This is apparently the most visited temple in India and I can understand why. It is beautiful and the lake surrounding it is the cleanest water we have seen in India. Even Javi considered taking a dip in, but out of polietness to the worshipers he didn´t, although their were a few who did.
Very close to the golden temple there is a park where peaceful protesters were shot and killed by the British during the fight for independece. There is a monument in rememberance as well as the original walls where you can still see the bullet holes. The well that people threw themselves down trying to escape from the shots can also been seen in the gardens.
Here, surprisingly, people asked to take their pictures with me. This has happened throughout the trip, but everywhere else, people have been sly and trying to take photos of me secretly. In the garden people openly took pictures or even asked to have a picture with me, men, women, and even whole familes. Clearly I´m famous. lol.
Train journey back to New Delhi, and our only journey during the day. We didn´t realise that on day trains they provide you with food, and since having eaten a large lunch, we weren´t hungry. The man next to us took our food and gave it to a poor person at the next station, so one last good deed before leaving.
6 hour train journey, followed by a taxi to the airport. 6 hours waiting in the airport for our flight, 5 hours to Turkey, 7 hours in the airport there, and one final flight to Madrid equals a very long day.
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