In the capital

So I'm sitting outside an Enfield workshop in Yusuf Sarai. I surprised a few folks there that I came "all the way from Mumbai for 2nd service!" "How can you come from Mumbai in just 3.5 days and your mileage is just 2,500km - it takes 2 days for us by train!" The tobacco-chewing mechanic, Dharmendar drove my Bull and while juggling tobacco-laden saliva with his lower lip said, "alignment, alignment ho gaya" - I said, "You mean the wheels are misaligned." "No, alignment, alignment." "Ok, ok alignment hogaya." So he's replacing my wheel rims because they jumped on too many potholes - thank you UP.

I keep getting an odd look whenever people learn that I'm going to Ladakh and by myself. First, it's a surprise, then fear, then thrill, then amazement. Kyon, why? Aysehi, just-like-that? Wah, amazing! Aapko dekhe hum ko man karta hai, seeing you, even my heart yearns (to do it!). I shy away from telling them that I'm actually going to Khardungla and then to Kargil and to the heart of our riotious country, beautiful Srinagar (am I glad my folks don't google much).

Had breakfast with Brijesh at one of IIT-delhi's cafeterias - idli, wada, uttappa and excellent tea. He's been driving my Bull in campus the past few days and has decided to get one himself. Srik called earlier in the morning, also spoke to Patta in the plane - his Raminator is ready to pop anytime now.

More later...but it doesn't look like I'll get out Delhi today - it'll be tom early AM.