OSCAR THE (NON) GROUCH

Originally written on 4/18/12:

Well, I am now on my sixth Dragoman trip - so far, so good, only Day 2 so anything can happen! This time it's on a truck called Oscar and a couple new things have been introduced to the drill: You have to sign a release form stating you've read the itinerary and acknowledge it can change, the driver strongly encouraged everyone to wear their seat belt at all times and there is now a really efficient little GPS so you can't theoretically get lost. Times, they are a changin'. Although actually saw only one person USE the seat belt we were encouraged to wear (and it wasn't one of the drivers:-)

So the trip started out in Delhi on Monday night, in a REALLY nice hotel. And we stayed in it, didn't just meet in it and then shuffle off to somewhere unmentionable:-) There are 13 pax, including three other Americans. Not much overlanding experience outside of me and two other people, which became apparent when it came time to put up the tents and cook on Tuesday night. Or maybe people are just lazy. Of particular significance is the fact that my bag is NOT the largest - not even really ONE of the largest. I must be losing my touch:-)

Left Delhi at 6AM yesterday for a 450 km drive to Amritsar. Which, although uneventful, took 12-1/2 hours. Driving and highways in India are just as crazy as I remembered. Toilets are cleaner. No one needed an emergency stop. There's tons of room since there are only 13 of us. No one complained about the music. No one complained about the open windows. No one complained about the drive or asked how much longer. We didn't hit any children or cows or tuk tuks or bicyclists or other trucks, although all of those were options every second. We got to our campsite in Amritsar with plenty of daylight left. One of the drivers had already bought all the groceries, and he & his girlfriend cooked dinner. It was the easiest first day ever!

I helped a few people put up their tents, but I myself upgraded to a room. Hahaha. Had first of what will likely prove to be many Kingfisher beers. Slept like a rock. Didn't have to meet until 8 this morning. What?! I felt like I was at a resort!

Went to the Golden Temple, which is quite beautiful. God, it is hot here. And everyone, male & female, has to wear a scarf. Waited in pushy, claustrophobic line for over an hour to actually get inside the Golden Temple, where you were then pushed through in about 10 seconds. Wished I would have done a lot more background reading on the Sikh religion. Going back to the camp area . . . and getting in the pool. Did I mention that I feel like I'm at a resort? Going to the Indian/Pakistan border closing ceremony tonight, which should be awesome, then off to Dharamsala tomorrow.

More soon!

xo