Clearly I am highly amused by the road signs in both HP (Himachal Pradesh) and JK (Jumma & Kashmir). But the above title of this entry is my fav by far! What if I am driving for a party? Can my driving then be dirty and it be ok? And seriously, if we got pulled over, our "dirty" driving would be forgotten within the billfolds of a 100 rupee note. Just sayin' is all. anway...The real title of this entry should be: I'm Offically Like My Father.
Here's the thing about traveling with a Wehmeyer: we're anxious, early, and annoying. I discovered this when I was fretting up a storm about getting to our Leh-Srinagar taxi a little early (15 minutes) so that just in case it was early, we'd get the first choice of seats. I must have forgotten that (1) in India things are rarely on time, and (2) I don't get to make decisions...Indian men know what's good for me. Annoying. Anyway, Katie and I got good seats in front with the driver. The only problem was that with me mushed between Katie and the driver, I got to reposition my legs every time he shifted gears...which is alot when you're on a road that is constantly switching from gravel to pavement and manuevering around potholes is essential to life. The car had a few other passengers, all Kashmir locals. I man and his little boy who wrinkled his furrowed brow whenever Katie and I attempted to interact with him. He was adorable though and a comforting presence. After dark Katie and I curled up in the back seats, head to foot, trying to grasp at sleep. Sometime around 2am we stopped to check the car and let us all stretch our legs. As I climbed out of the back seat I heard Katie inhale sharply. When I turned around and followed her gaze upwards, I discovered that the dark mountain pass touched the heavens. The stars were amazingly bright and the milky way seemed inches from our fingers. We stood their mouths gaping for a solid two minutes before we had to snuggle in the back of the taxi again.
The road was better than Manali-Leh but still very bumpy and our driver was much less concerned with the life of his car and passengers; whiping around corners and over deep divots in the road. Needless to say, even our "ying to my yang" sleeping position didn't give the sweet relief of sleep. The sun came up around 5am over the Kashmir valley. It is beautiful! It reminds me of the Leavenworth area. We got into Srinagar around 6:30am, found our hole-in-the-wall, 500 rupee a night hotel, and passed out till noon.
Leh looked like the Wenatchee to Chelan area.
Srinagar looks like Peshastin to Leavenworth area.
Leaving my Cashmere hometown an original and still the most beautiful place I've ever been! In my completely unbiased opinion of course...and anyone who doesn't believe me hasn't been there. Cashmere is beautiful. It sits in this valley of confusion, not knowing whether to be mountain-green or desert-tan. Where the foothills of the Cascades meet the Gorges of the Columbia. Ah...I miss it.
Srinagar is by far my favorite place so far. It's so gorgeous! The city sprawls out from Dal lake like fingers around a bowl. The lake itself has houseboats, lily pads, and floating gardens. The hills roll around the city. The buildings are more modern than I expected. If it weren't for the constant police and military presence, it would be any other normal hill town.
I subjected Katie to "Wehmeyer fun" today :) For those who don't my family, the one thing that we all do together is get some exercise. Whether it be from manual labor or exercise (and believe me, manual labor can be easily turned into exercise...I stripped asphault shingles from roofs for a summer), our version of "fun" is original. My Mom and I's favorite things to do are go on runs, walks, and lift weights at my aunt Michele's powerlifting classes. anyway...There is a Hindu temple in Srinagar that I wanted to see that sits atop a hill. It's a 5K walk to the top or you can take an autorickshaw. We walked all the way up! Other than my run while in Leh, it was the only exercise I've gotten on this trip so far. Side note: Leh is at 11,000+ ft. Running there is like setting your lungs on fire....but you know...Wehmeyer fun! yay!
Anyway, off to Cal! Can't wait to see Iram in her element!
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Can't wait to have some Wehmeyer fun when you get back, get ready!!
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