India Day 3: Shimla

The last two days we have woken up at 2AM. This gave us plenty of time this morning to contemplate our new means of bathing using a bucket and a jug. We thought that by helping each other to wash it would be easier. It actually took longer and, as the night had been very cold, it was freezing. We won't be doing that again!

The main area of Shimla is The Mall and it is pedestrianised. The easiest access to it from down the hill is via two passenger lifts that you can get for 7 rupees. The only other way up is a very steep climb. We did this once and I am ashamed to say I barely stayed ahead of the men who were carrying a good 50kgs of market produce on their backs and heads.

After our hike up the hill we stopped for a breather at the Indian Coffee House where people (mostly men) go to chat and more than likely put the world to rights. The place was dark, dark brown wood and dark brown leather, the waiters were dressed in uniforms that reminded us of ex British Empire uniforms with cumberbunds... Drinking coffee is a secondary thing, which is lucky really because it has to be amongst the worse coffee I have ever tasted!

In the afternoon we visited the Tibetan Children's School that John helped organise the build of. We have asked John to write a blog entry on this which we look forward to posting.

We had lunch at Johns friends home who live on The Mall. This means we have been lucky enough to have real home cooked Indian food, which as I am sure you can guess is so much better than anything you can buy in a restaurant. The food and the company were superb. Desert was gulab jamon which is John's favorite.

Gulab jamons are fried balls of dough made from flour and milk served with sugar syrup flavoured with rosewater, saffron, or cardamon. Later that evening we went a-hunting for some more as Oly had a taste for them and John wasn't about to say no! I think they ate 4 each... thats some going because they are pretty substantial in a sweet way.

Emelie