The Himalaya's.....the view from Gun Hill!

Well it is obvious that I am still around 9 days after I took this memorable walk…….and no….i am not writing this from my hospital bed……I made it to the top and back down…….without any serious issues….but I do have a confession to make……I was glad I had my camera with me…….it gave me an excuse to stop and rest when I needed too……but as a result, I have some fantastic photographs of the wildflowers that are growing on the side of this wonderful little hill…….leave a comment if you want to see some photographs……truly beautiful.
However……..nothing quite as beautiful as what was waiting for us at the top of the hill!
My first views of the peaks were impressive……at the pinnacle of Gun Hill, the views were mesmerizing…………the sun was a bit higher in the sky now……and it was perfectly reflecting on the face of the highest mountain peaks I have seen till date.
I am not sure of the names of the peaks that we could see from this vantage point……..I need some additional help from someone much more knowledgeable than me……I have attempted to research it, but I still do not have the answer.
I will stop writing and let the photographs speak from themselves……..but one thing is for sure……The Himalaya’s can certainly be seen from Mussoorie……..Wouldn’t you agree?
But please, don’t take my word for it…….experience it for yourself
Post Script:
I am not sure how long it took me to ascend the 400 meters in height from the level of The Mall……I failed to look at my watch……I truly wish it was a statistic I knew and could share with you.
I will be making the walk again…..in the near future I hope…….in the early morning moments just before dawn…….I will find a comfortable spot and watch the wonders unfold before me

Mussoorie - My first view of the "Big Guy's"!

My first views of the Himalaya’s were at approximately 6:05 am on Saturday, September 19th, 2009.It is not very hard for me to describe my reaction to that first view of the peaks…….when the alarm sounded, I didn’t linger in the bed for very long…….I found myself stepping barefoot onto the balcony with my camera, there was still a crisp coolness in the air from the prior night………I remember gazing in the direction of the range……and wondering at first if what I was seeing were clouds on the horizon……I immediately started taking photographs because the scene was so beautiful and unlike the views I witnessed as the sun was retreating the day before…….The sun was glowing and the color of the sky was beautiful....it was then that I realized that I did not have my glasses on.
I retreated to my room, put my glasses on, and made my way hurriedly back to the balcony.....I am quite sure that I spoke out loud……something like……”wow” or “amazing” or “unbelievable”……or maybe even all three. I simply can’t remember. With my glasses now in place, I could clearly see that what the glow of the sun was not bouncing off clouds......but it was forming the perfect backdrop to outline the jagged peaks that were in the distance.Having lived in Colorado with my family for 4 years, I have witnessed some very spectacular views of the mountains….and of the range…..and the incredible peaks that exist……. 53 peaks that are above 14,000 feet in the Rocky Mountain Range…..the highest peak which is 14,401feet (4,400 meters)…….so I was not in awe because this was my first time seeing mountains………those reactions were in genuine respect to how unbelievably huge the peaks I was seeing are.
The Himalaya’s have over 220 peaks over 14,000ft and 10 of the highest peaks in the world……..Mount Everest is almost exactly twice the size of the highest peak in the Rocky mountains……these mountains are BIG GUYS!!!!!!!From my vantage point in Mussoorie, I am estimating that the peaks that I was able to see without the aid of my zoom lens are at a minimum 250 – 300 km away…….if there is a reader to my blog that could provide the exact distance I would be most appreciative.
Little did I know at the time, that the best was yet to come……..how is that for a teaser for my next blog entry??????In one of my previous blog entries, I mentioned that I received some misinformation regarding Mussoorie……..very bad information from my “expert source”……information that I would have chosen to take my family to another location juts based on this. I would have probably returned to Shimla with my family rather than Mussoorie for that glimpse of the Himalaya’s.
I recently shared my photographs with this very same person……a person who has been to Mussoorie on several occasions………..and they could not believe their eyes……as a matter of fact, my pictures have now changed their view of Mussoorie and was amazed at what has been missed for many years.
I had challenged some readers in a previous blog entry to take the time to truly discover what is in your own city……or at least close by…….to become a “tourist” and explore….find out what makes the place you live in “special”……….(see the archives from January….Republic Day Adventure and a personal challenge”)
I urge all of you to take the challenge….get to know your city……….and get to Mussoorie.
I hope you enjoy.

A "MALL"............is not a mall....

“MALL”
My recent visits to the Hill Stations of Mussoorie and Shimla and of course writing about my experiences, caused me to do some research into the etymology of the word………the reason for my curiosity is simple……given my American perspective and what is commonly being referred to as a “Mall” in New Delhi and any other major city in India……there is quite a disconnect.It dates back to 1644, a time at which there was a game, Pall Mall played……a ball made of boxwood was struck with a heavy mallet through an iron ring which was at the end of a playing alley……..it sounds very similar to croquet. It is a game with its origins in France…….a derivative of the Italian word “Pallamaglio” (palla – ball and maglio – mallet)……The game was introduced in England in the second half of the century and was played in a long alley near St. James, and at that time referred to as “Pell -Mell”. The pronunciation was corrected and there is now a street in the area now classically named Pall Mall in London.
The alley at St. James was described to have been constructed of hard sand sprinkled with powered cockle shells….and some 800 yards long.The British then began using the shortened version to refer to a “promenade”…a public area set aside for pedestrian walk usually with shade trees and the sort……
I have read that when the British began constructing the Hill Stations, to retreat from the heat of Delhi, they did their best to create these cities in the likeness of the cities they had left in England……so it is no wonder that they introduced the word “MALL” to India as well……it was the place they took strolls in the evening…..soon shopkeepers and the like lined each of the sides of the streets……and it became the place to “see” and “be seen”.
From what was described to me by my host who was showing me around, not much has changed in the way of life since Mussoorie was founded…….people strolled along the mall, or used a rickshaw…….the difference is that back then the rickshaws were pulled by two men…….only to be replaced by the tri-cycle rickshaw of today.
It is still a place of commerce, still the place where people stroll in the evening, window shopping, etc…..it is the main artery of the city…….it brings life to the city and provides those who have shops or those who temporarily set up an area to sell their wares or food an opportunity to make a decent living.
For me, the mall is a wonderful place to see the people who make these wonderful areas so special….and if given the chance, have a brief conversation and make a friend.
The photographs placed throughout this blog entry are of people I came into contact with while on “The MALL” in Mussoorie.
I hope you find the photographs as interesting and enjoyable as I do.

Reminded of a lesson learned......in Mussoorie!

I know that I am not alone…….
Have you ever……ever…..asked someone their opinion about something…….and then made a decision, based on their answer…….. modified your plans, changed your mind or not follow through on something?
It could been about a book……that you decided not to read…….a movie you decided not to see…….or a city that you chose not to visit…….or a food item you chose not to eat.
We have all done this…….please tell me that I am not alone!!!!!!
I am not saying that opinions or advice from others,….even the most credible of sources…….people we seek the information from that we consider “experts” on the subject at hand………or someone that we share many of the same “likes and dislikes”, is bad or that it shouldn’t be taken. There have been many times that I was happy to “heed” their advice or opinion………

However, have you ever….picked up that book at a later time……..seen that movie…….or tasted that food item……only to form a different opinion…….or discover something completely different by experiencing it for yourself?

We have all experienced this too……..haven’t we…….we have all felt at one time or another that we should not have listened to an opinion………should have done something sooner………had no idea what I have we have missed out on for some many years……and thought afterwards that we “learned our lesson” to not listen to such rubbish again or make the same mistake twice….so many missed opportunities…..so many…….countless……..I cannot even begin to fathom……
Mussoorie, India……..almost became a statistic on that long list of countless missed opportunities for me. I had formed an opinion about Mussoorie, based on an opinion that I received from someone I considered to be knowledgeable about the area….an “expert”…….someone who lives nearby, someone who has visited the area on many occasions……..the advice…….”you can see Mussoorie in a day…….not much to do there……”
Mussoorie, India……..not the most “popular” hill station destination in India……..or the most “famous”…..
Mussoorie, India…….you are nothing close to what was described to me……..much more than the picture that was painted in my mind based on the opinion of another.
After visiting once……spending only five hours, enjoying what you had to offer…….I quickly changed my opinion.
Mussoorie, India……..I hope to spend some very memorable times with you.

Think for yourself......experience everything you can.....and always make sure that you choose your words carefully and not try and discourage others from doing something that you may not have liked....

Right Time, Right Place; more Shimla

I had no doubt that Shimla was going to provide opportunities to capture some fantastic photography and memories of my visit.
I was not disappointed in the least……especially when stumbling upon the fact that there was a five-day Folk Dance Competition taking place…….
There is nothing like being in the “Right Place, at the Right Time”……considering that we only spent about a short amount of time, outside of accomplishing our main tasks.
The only regret I have is not being able to watch……we seem to have caught them while on a break of sorts.
The costumes were wonderful……the colors are vivid………...the faces are priceless.
Enjoy

Inspired by a Shimla Sky

I claim not to be a writer, a poet,nor a photographer.

When I am inspired by some humbling experience, this time by nature herself, I cannot help by try my hand at all three.

The poem below is written with no capitalization purposefully.

The photographs do not do justice to what I witnessed.....but they are all I have to share. They appear at the end of this entry; a slight change to how I have placed them in the past.

I hope you enjoy.....Shimla.

SHIMLA

i was amazed at the sight of the shimla sky
the billowing clouds forming the perfect canvas
for the sun to create a masterpiece
for my eye

surely i was not the only one to see
the beauty of collaboration of clouds and sun
the glow alone should have caused thousands of souls to
gaze in awe

but i was the stranger, the newcomer of sorts
perhaps what was so unique to me was commonplace
for those who live in this paradise of
peaks and valleys

this thought alone should make you yearn
for a chance to see what these two will create for you
for sometimes you are given but one chance to
say, “i saw”

Simply Shimla

“My month’s leave at Simla, or whatever Hill Station my people went to, was pure joy—every golden hour counted. It began in heat and discomfort, by rail and road. It ended in the cool evening, with a wood fire in one’s bedroom, and next morn—thirty more of them ahead!—the early cup of tea, the Mother who brought it in, and the long talks of us all together again. One had leisure to work, too, at whatever play-work was in one’s head, and that was usually full.”
Rudyard Kipling
I found these words, penned by Kipling between the years of 1885 – 1888, to be very fitting of my journey to Shimla last week.
My journey started in the heat and discomfort of the plains of Delhi……I traveled by rail and road to reach the city…….and it ended in a cool evening.
The only thing missing was the fireplace in the bedroom of my hotel……and the thirty extra days of leave.
Typically these trips do not lend themselves to much free time……..or “play-work” as Kipling aptly referred to it, but my colleagues and I managed to spend a few hours on The Mall…..before we descended the crisp, cool, clean air of Shimla by car to Kalka…..to board our train back to Delhi.
“Every golden hour counted” for me as well…….I managed to witness some amazing views, witness a spectacular display of cloud formations at sunset, take some photographs of some very talented Folk Dancer’s and learn more about a part of India that I had not had the chance to experience for the past year.
Despite the congestion of the traffic, I found Shimla to be a truly beautiful and unique place……some place I will return too, to spend more time exploring all she has to offer……there is so much more to see and do….I merely scratched the surface.
After one visit, of a few precious hours, there is no wonder why the British chose Shimla to be the “Summer Capital” of India for 6 months of every year……
The city still bears the influence of The British and the style of architecture they brought to Shimla. Many cottages and administrative buildings that were built during this time have not succumbed to the growth that the city has witnessed over the past several years.....some appear ready to collapse, they cling to the sides of steep hills with every ounce of strength the have in their foundations and timber frames. Others stand strong and solid as remembrances to an era that ended some 60 plus years ago....
Enjoy the photographs included in this blog entry and for those to come in the very near future.
LL

Fun Facts about India's Railway System

Outside the Delhi Train Station at Night
Navigating my way out of the Delhi Train Station after my Journey

Here are some fun and interesting facts about the Indian Railway System……along with some INCREDIBLE statistics and at the end……..a QUESTION that will form the basis of the contest….the winner will get a prize to be determined by the organizer of the contest…that would be me! Here are the facts:

The Railway System in India is over 150 years old.

The IRS is known to be the largest railway network in Asia.

The IRS is the WORLD’S LARGEST railway system under one management.

The IRS employs approximately 1.7 million people which makes it the second largest commercial or utility employer in the world!

The IRS has more than 7,500 railway stations
Statistics on the Fleet:
7800+ Locomotives
40,000 Coaches
326,000 wagons

First Passenger Train Ran On: 16th April 1853 (between Bombay to Thane)

Toilets on Trains were introduced in: 1891 (1st Class) 1907 (lower classes)

Shortest Station Name: Ib (Orissa)

Longest Station Name: Sri Venkatanarasimharajuvariapeta (Tamil Nadu) TRY AND PRONOUNCE THAT!

Busiest Railway Station: Lucknow (64 trains everyday)

Longest Railway Platform in the World: Kharagpur (2,733 ft in length)Oldest Preserved Locomotive: Fairy Queen (1855), still in working order

IRS Daily Runs: About 14,000 trains

IRS Daily Carries: More than 11 million passengers 1 million tons of freight

Route Kilometers of Track: More than 62,000 kms


The total distance covered by the 14,300 trains on the Indian Railways every day, equals three & half times the distance to moon

And finally........the contest question. I have provided a picture for your reference.
WHAT IS A COOLIE?
The first person to respond to the blog and answer the question correctly receives a prize.Please post your answer in the comments section of the blog.
Have fun.....enjoy and best of luck to all who participate in the contest!

Scenes From the Train

If you read the blog entry just prior to this one, you would have learned that I truly enjoy traveling by train as opposed to air travel…….with the exception of the time factor. When possible, I will always opt for traveling by train.
One of the reasons…..not mentioned in the previous entry is the change of scenery……clouds are beautiful, but I am more of a people, places and things kind of guy. I prefer looking at people, places and things as opposed to puffy clouds.
The landscape is ever changing in India, even if you weren’t moving. Nothing is ever the same, which makes living in India that much more exciting.
Train travel just takes this to a new level…….I believe that I could just be content sitting at the station and watching the happenings around me……and of course, trying to get some cool photographs.
There are certainly interesting people on the train…….but it is hard to infringe upon someone’s privacy on the train……but the platforms provide a perfect setting for some great picture taking……..both before you leave and when you arrive at your destination.
Of course, there is changing scenery outside the window…….but in many cases your train is speeding by and it is difficult to get great photographs through the window of a moving train…….just take a look at the photograph of the farmland…….it was an experiment……but I am sharing it anyway.
At our first stop……..just outside Delhi, I snapped several photographs of the old man on the bench…..before I noticed the school boys all sitting on the bench and obviously waiting for another train to take them to school…….they were watching me……and managed to get my attention and motioned for me to take their picture as well. Most people like being photographed……especially the younger generation.
I was tempted at each stop to get off the train for the two to three minutes they announce you will be stopped at the station…..but I was still not totally comfortable with the rhythm of traveling by train.
However, everything that you see from the train isn’t this nice and innocent……naturally, some of India’s poorest people live in the area between the railroad tracks, just outside the walls of the city. Part of what you see is what most people do early in the morning…….bathing, brushing their teeth, getting dressed, and of course those very human functions that one need not explain further. Nothing is hidden from your view…….the reality and sadness of the living conditions a majority of India’s poorest population live in, will make you all the more grateful for what you have and will provide you with the motivation to help in some small way, those who are less fortunate.
While I certainly do not want to end this blog entry on such a sad note……..I did not want to “sugar coat” what you will see……especially on the early morning trains leaving just about any station in India or pulling into or passing any town on the way.
I have fallen in love with India……..I love the good and the bad…..I accept her for who and what she is…….and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to spend a few years discovering all she has to offer.
I apologize again for the poor quality of the photographs…….I will become more adventurous as I become more comfortable in the future and venture off the train for a few quick moments to capture some special photographs......but until then.....keep reading and enjoying.

TRAIN-ing Wheels: adventures of an Amateur of Train Travel in India

While it may not seem possible, I was 16 years old before I had my first experience traveling by air……..when the plans were made I remember feeling both excited and anxious…..the excitement that comes with doing something new……..and the slight uneasiness that comes with not knowing what to expect of the experience and what to do and whether you were going to do something wrong in the process. At 16 years old, the last thing that you want to do is be an amateur at anything……so the plan was simple…….take it slow and watch what my more “worldly” brother-in-law and sister did.
Last week…….I was 16 again……well not really…. but those same feelings returned. When it was announced that we would be traveling by train, I was excited about the adventure…..BUT……I had never traveled by train before…..ever……EVER! I didn’t even know where the train station was located in the city!
I had the basics……a ticket, a time of departure ……and a knowledgeable driver that could get me to the correct train station …….beyond that I was clueless about train travel. I knew nothing about the protocol of train travel (security, how much time to arrive before departure, etc.) , but more importantly, what happens after being delivered to the station……therein lies the dilemma I was facing and the cause of my anxiety…….What happens from that point forward?….when I am dropped at the curb…..I will be all alone…….no “worldly” travelers to guide me from the curb to my seat on the train……….on my own, in new surroundings.......blindly navigating unknown territory.
I didn’t know the layout of the station……it was dark, it was raining…..not drizzling…..pouring……no umbrella…the adventure was starting……you get the picture…..
Here is what I learned after bolting from the curb into the station:
LOCATING YOUR TRAIN is easy……several large electronic information boards communicating in both Hindi and English the train number, departure time and platform number. That was the easy part…..I found the train…..Lucky for me, Platform number 1……YEA BABY!...but which way to walk?……which way is the train facing?…..I found myself in the middle of the row of cars……reverting back to my childhood memories of playing with my Lionel Electric Train Set……”Engine in Front”….I headed to the left…..north, after all, we were traveling north to Ludhiana…….logical that the engine would be in the front of the train……but this is India…..It was then that I received the much needed cell phone call from my frantic colleagues who were waiting for me outside of the train……but at the opposite end. I reversed and made it.
BE PREPARED FOR PEOPLE as they are everywhere…….especially at the Delhi Station....at the time I wasn’t sure if the station was abnormally busy that morning due to the rain, but I have learned that the crowds I witnessed on that first day are normal. People were eating, porters toting bags, sleeping, some on benches, mostly on the floor……people running in all directions, people moving up stairs on catwalks, people in uniforms, women nursing babies…….people on top of people, children some with parents, some not, people in line at the eateries catering to the crowds……talking, crying, the sound of the hustle and bustle of a very busy place…….nothing like an airport!
NO SECURITY……that’s right….none, naught, nil! No baggage scanner, no long lines waiting to be frisked by a guard with a hand held metal detector, no one checking identification……absolutely nothing. No one checking to see if you had a ticket (I figured that would take place on the train) and no boarding pass check……nothing. Just show up and get on……before the train leaves the station.
PASSENGER MANIFESTS are posted on the outside of the train so that you can make sure that the information on your ticket matches the car you have been assigned too. They are actually fun to look at….your name appears in both Hindi and English along with your seat number, gender and age.Once on board…..here is what you can expect for a morning departure:
NEWSPAPERS – Your choice of several in both English and Hindi…….even the Economic or Financial Times
WATER DELIVERY – A litre of bottled drinking water and a paper cup was delivered…..more than enough for the journey.
COFFEE/TEA – a tray was delivered which had two packets for tea, complete with sugar…..the tray also included two wrapped biscuit’s (mildly sweet cracker/cookie for my American readers) to accompany your choice of beverage. Shortly after delivery of your tray…….another gentleman efficiently comes by with a thermos of piping hot water……enough for two cups should you so desire.
BREAKFAST – Shortly after tea……you are given your choice of the VEG or NON VEG offerings for breakfast……the omelet is the standard Non -Veg offering and does not change much, but the Vegetarian offering varies at time……helpful tip……you can never go wrong ordering the vegetarian offering, especially if you are particular about how your eggs are cooked.
The offerings in the evening are very much the same, with the obvious difference that dinner is served instead of breakfast……but the added touch of desert……my favorite….ICE CREAM in usually two flavors; vanilla and butterscotch!
The seats are comfortable and they recline slightly more than those on a plane….leg room is spacious which is very important for me…..your cell phone works and you can use it…….and there is a power outlet so that you can plug in your laptop, without draining your battery, and you can work……and if you have one of those “roaming internet USB things” you can even search the net and answer emails.PROMPTNESS …..You will quickly learn…..and hopefully not in an unfortunate way, that the trains are prompt…….I learned this when the recorded announcement came on as we were approaching our first stop outside of Delhi…….after the initial announcement of the city you are approaching and some interesting points about the city……they mention……THIS STOP WILL BE FOR TWO MINUTES…….I do not remember hearing anything longer than 3 minutes……they are quick and prompt.
There is a gentleman that comes by and looks at your ticket…….there is another gentleman that comes by and asks you to identify your bags/luggage, and places a little sticker on them. This was the ONLY security measure that I witnessed, but, this was not done on my other two trips…just the first one.
Traveling by train would be my preferred mode of traveling in India, if time allowed…….it has quickly become a favorite.
I hope this gives you a good idea of what to expect so that should you have the opportunity to travel by train in India…….don’t hesitate.
There is one thing that I missed and I am not sure that they do it……..that nostalgic announcement that I remember from watching the movies……”ALLLLLLLL Aaaaa BOARDDDDDDD”! I think that would be fun to hear them call out in Hindi and English…….just for the fun of it.