running

Went for a run yesterday after a long long time. I have not lost my rhythm yet, felt good. Planning to visit IMF later today ...

Amritsar

We decided to visit Amritsar, the city of the Golden Temple and more importantly the city with people with golden heart. We planned extensively, which means we did not plan anything other than get train tickets a couple of weeks in advance. Rest as usual we trusted wikitravel, and our luck. We took the Swarna Shatabdi (start 7.20am) and reached Amritsar 1.20pm. A short rickshaw ride got us in front of the famous temple rather the gurdwara. The ride itself showed us glimse of few run down lanes, and more interestingly pretty old almost dilapaded building --- we knew we have arrived at the right place. It has its own charm admist all the chaos and mess. Finding an accomodation was surprisingly easy. After 2-3 failed attempts we ended up in Hotel-Temple City Guest House (450/night) located next to Jallianwala Bagh and the Golden Temple.

After dropping off our luggage, we visited Kamal Singh Kulche wala for a quick lunch (Alu and Gobi kulcha, lassi). It was already time to head towards Wagha border parade which lasted from 5-6pm. The autorickshaw brought us back to the temple again --- seems like the heart of the city (also the old city). We had a quick bite from Chocolate planet (Black forest cake ). We walked around checking the side lanes and back alleys and ended up at the karpra (cloth) market. We decided to come back again next day since it was getting late. We stop for dinner at the Brother’s Dhaba (Cheese Paratha, Chane mini meal, lassi).

Finally it was time to visit the Golden temple visit at about 10 pm. It so happened that the Adi Granth was being removed around that time. We wandered around in the temple complex until 11pm. Then we ventured out to some adjacent lanes and by-lanes, before calling it a day.

Next day morning we visited the Jallianwala bagh . The history text was interesting to say the least. Standing in front of the wall we were just trying to imagine how things were on that fateful day .. almost a centrury before. The narration of the widow who stayed at the field overnight surrounded by some 300 dead people touched our minds.

Afterwards we went to the Kapra market and brought some stuff (670). After quite a bit of exploration, and wandering in more old lanes with run down buildings we found the famed Kesar da Dhaba (Roti, Paratha,dal fry, lassi). We headed back and checked out from hotel. Thereafters we went to Golden temple again. Later we dosed off while relaxing at a park. Again explored some areas and bought some local specialities -- Punjabi jutti (150), Kirpan (140), Papad warian . Had some hot jalebi at jalebiwala, and a cold softy at Softy parlour. One last stop for Alu tikki , collected our bag from the hotel and borded the train to reach back Delhi ~11pm.

It will take a few days before we forget the bylanes .. I loved them, and the ambiance -- from an age gone by.

Could not find any proper outlet for fish Amritsari!!!

IMF again

It just gets better. Had a good session there, got a couple of moves further. Should be fun next time around ... once I am fresher and not drained out.

Also explored the back lanes of Kidwai nagar yesterday. Such hidden lanes, so close to South Ex and Defense Colony .. hard to believe. So much difference in so close proximity.

IMF

I am getting addicted to it, again. I long to go back to the place, and the routes, rather the unfinished ones, keep coming back at me. Yesterday, we added a few more holds on the wall and this should open up a couple of new options. Should be fun. Next it is going to be Tuesday, or that's what I hope for.

What also helps is I know most of the regulars by now. So when I am not climbing I can talk with others, explore possibilities, and push each other on up new routes. I should work out to get back in shape, let's see how things work out ...

haridwar and rishikesh

We made a short trip to the mountains: well that is surely an exaggeration. It was more like scratching the surface, and going close to the himalayas. The trip was too short! There's not much to mention about the train journey or about Haridwar. There were few surprises. Things changed when we moved to Rishikesh. The mountains were just visible, the water was clearer, the people friendly, and the air crisp. We took a few longish walks: the walk in the evening along the moonlit trail/road was mesmerising. Even the stroll in the morning will give me company for days to come. It was hard to get away from the place, but had to. I just need to go back there, I know the mountains are waiting ...

(There are too many things to write about the trip, small things. But I find it hard to write since I am just drifting off, and unable to focus on putting down my thoughts. May be it is meant to be that way ...)

the cat

we spotted a kitten near our place some 2-3 weeks back. since then it has been growing cuter by the day, and wonders around the place under strict vigilance of its mother. got some nice pictures.

on a different thread, have been reading the last mughal. not sure how much of it is true, but a fascinating read all the same. my mind drift off more often than usual. motivates me to go back and explore mehrauli a bit more.

after a long break

Before I forget let me jot down interesting things that happened in the past month:
-- first, there was the deadline. It was tiring but fun. Let us see how it turns out to be. Learned a bit in the process, and all those long days were very enjoyable, but a bit tiring.
-- went to Jama Masjid: had (liver) kebabs on the footsteps of the mosque, witnessed a unusually skilled guy tossing giant parathas into hot oil, had a nice stroll in the courtyard of the mosque, had a roll a karim's, had bare miyan's kebab, had phirni, and stopped by at moti mahal on the way back.
-- went to imf 2-3 times. Met some new folks, and had a few good climbs.
-- found/discovered the sabzi mandi (hidden) towards the back of south moti bagh market. Surprisingly fresh vegtables and fruits in lots of varieties.
-- had frankie for the first time
-- had a few success at cooking front.
-- visited the Lotus Temple. The bahai faith is impressive, quite some nice philosophies hidden in there. Also the architecture ...
-- the campus is too pretty these days. Did also visit the campus nursery, and rose garden across the campus. The flowers are so beautiful. I somehow feel more attracted towards the wild flowers, or the hybrid one, rather than the roses.
-- went to deer park and stopped by at naibidyam. The Hauz Khas and the ruins across offered a gentle stroll and a lazy afternoon full with memories.

Have been guilty of not reading much these days. Somehow time is running by, need to be more efficient. Also time to go out running a bit. The evening classes have sort of thrown me off schedule. I am not just motivated enough to go running in the morning.

We are off this weekend, so may be there will be some interesting thing to write down early next week. Lets see how cold and refreshing the Ganges is these days. Fresh snow melt .. may be ..