and to have a trip sponsored by BBC; can anything top such a luxury?! *sigh*
my most favourite is the 'Himalaya', I would so totally do that whole stretch if I ever had the opportunity. *double sigh*
few lines from his writings
Occasionally, a passing family group will quite unapologetically insert themselves alongside us and get a friend to take a photo, as if we too are part of the tourist attractions. Helpful explanations of what's going on are given, whether solicited or not.
India is much concerned these days with behavioural improvement. Yesterday I noticed the road safety campaign (though I seemed to be the only one who did) and this morning I see that the government is tackling the vexed subject of 'night soil', or open-air defecation, which is such a feature of life here. A series of adverts in the morning papers appeals to people to stop 'easing themselves' in public places. 'Easing oneself' is a new euphemism to me, but I rather like it and will use it whenever possible.
Chandigarh seems to consist entirely of roundabouts. Beautiful, well-kept, florally abundant roundabouts, sending the traffic spinning from one to another like some endless Scottish reel.
Mountbatten, the man charged with giving India its independence, met the leaders of the Princely States here, reminding himself of who the most important ones were by using the mnemonic 'Hot kippers make good breakfast'. Hyderabad, Kashmir, Mysore, Gwalior and Baroda.
The Vice-Regal Lodge has been reborn as an Institute for South-East Asian Affairs. Ballroom is now a library. Functional shelf stacks fill a floor that in its heyday had hundreds of dancers swirling across it, themed perhaps in Chinese or Regency fancy dress. Modesty and earnestness has replaced display and grandeur. Entertainment has given way to enlightenment. This bastion of British certainty has become a place of enquiry, curiosity and debate. Three very Indian preoccupations.
'That is very bad,' he says, in genuine distress. 'That was a snake on the road.'
Basil is unsympathetic.
'You swerved to avoid a snake?'
'It is Monday. Shiva's day. It is very bad luck.'
'No, it's not, it's Tuesday.'
A great weight seems to fall from Red's shoulder.
'Ah, yes, that's good. That is Hanuman's day. He is the monkey god.'
'So you've got to watch out for monkeys.'
'Oh yes.'
Basil, proud owner of a lovely wheaten terrier called Ed, asks which day he should avoid dogs.
'Dogs?' Red laughs dismissively. 'No. Always killing dogs.'
Writings on vehicles or as driving education from billboards
'Peep Peep, Don't Sleep',
'Drive Like Hell – You'll Be There'
'Be Mr Late Rather Than the Late Mr'
... so I have been rather happy at work lately, reading his travel diaries.
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