AMRITSAR

Travelling by train in India with parents in their eighties is quite an experience.Making your way to the right platform in itself is challenging. People, dogs, cows, construction workers and thousands of fellow travellers jostling pushing and shoving one another and knocking any one in their way and yet no complaints from anyone. Finally when you make to the platform you are confronted with bodies on the floor of the platform all seem to be having a nap without a care in the world and completely oblivious to the commotion going on. One poor chap got my dads walking stick in his skinny belly which woke him up with a scream and a few choice words from him.

The train journey, when you get on it, is really great. It leaves on time. The seats are very comfortable. The coach is fully air conditioned. Within minutes you get a newspaper delivered. Then follows a bottle of mineral water. Few minutes later you are given a carton of orange juice.
Then follows afternoon tea with cucumber sandwich, a samosa, and few other items in the tray which we did not care to open. You get an hours rest before a three course meal all fresh and hot delivered to your seat. Service is better than British Airways flight from London to Delhi. The train left on time and arrived on time. By the way being 60 is an advantage in India as well. We got a senior citizen discount of 30%.

One comes to Amritsar for one purpose only. To see the Golden Temple. The temple is truly magnificent. If you can, make the journey.

The food in the city is also exceptional. A great meal for four of us , be it dinner or lunch with different varieties cost us no more than five pounds including drinks. The service in the restaurant is also to be admired. You have one Waiter who will show you to the table, another who will bring you the water at the table, a third chap gets you the menu and takes the order. The fourth chap clears the table. The only problem is that all four of them expects a tip from you. As soon as you have finished the meal and paid the bill they are all around you. 15p each will make them happy.

It was my mother wish to see the Golden Temple. Mission accomplished.

Golden Temple by dusk.

Golden Temple by Dawn 6.00AM

A part of the Golden Temple complex.

side view of the temple