Pilgrim

We are up before 3 a.m. Our bus scheduled to leave at 4:30 does not keep to its timing. Most of the group coming from a long journey are a bit weary. As the bus moves, we sleep when we can. When the sky is aglow before the morning arrives, there is mist on the river and it slowly rises. The layers of hills at a distance have pale outlines and portions of the valley the river passes through are picturesque. I am thinking of long exposure shots and moving mist but I am glued to my seat.

At midday we come to a halt and can see a large line of vehicles waiting all the way up the next hill. There is a large landslide. A portion of the hill and road have fallen into the river. The rescue team is on their way. The light is harsh, it is hot and dusty. This long pause doesn't do much for the morale but the food we find is delicious. The one dhaba is packed so we line up the sill on the outside as hungry cows nudge us like dogs. The aloo parathas, a specialty of the region, and soon to be our staple diet are rich and delicious. The light has burnt everything and I leave the camera aside.

The returning traffic starts first. We reach by the evening, pack into hotel rooms and our phones don't catch signals any more. The insects are large and in abundance. Our dinner is the Langar at the Gurdwara in Govindghat.