Journey to Srinagar [Kashmir]

Ten commonly  words used in New Zealand and it's eqvilivent used in India

New Zealand                             India [Lucknow]
1. Washroom                             1. Latrine
2. Past away [Death]                 2. Expired
3. Chicken Drum sticks             3. Lollipop
4. Turkey [Fowl Animal]            4. Junglee Murgi [Wild Chicken]
5. Don't stress over it                5. No Tension
6. Photocopy                             6. Xerox
7. Fizzy Drink                            7. Cold Drink
8. Tip                                         8. Chai, Pani [Tea, Water] Money for tea and water
9. Move over                             9. Side dena [Shift and make way for other]
10. Mate                                    10. Bhai (Brother)

The day I went to Srinagar from Lucknow.

 

The cheapest way of travelling in India is by train. I had to go to Srinagar, a city in Kashmir, so I did my maths. I researched which and where to take the train, where to get off the train to catch the bus or sumo [4 wheel drive] to Srinagar. There is no train service direct to Srinagar from Delhi or Jammu. So I have to take a bus or a shared 4 wheel drive. Most you don't know that between the months of April right through to September the weather is very hot in North India. I manage to get a sleeper class ticket since the rest of the class especially with air conditioning system was booked out. So I ended up with Sleeper class train ticket with air conditioning system. The journey was not so bad, even it took 21 hours to get to Jammu. Once I arrived in Jammu very early in the morning. I made my way to the bus station. To my horror, I discovered there was an unusual strike. Only vehicles were allowed from Srinagar to Jammu on that day. It was only one way traffic. Only the next day vehicles were allowed to run from Jammu to Srinagar. This happens quite occasionally. I asked the locals they all told me different stories, so I ask the Police what is the story! He told me today is a strike and only vehicles from Srinagar is allowed to travel to Jammu. Today is a one way traffic, no vehicles will be allow to travel from Jammu to Srinagar. If any vehicle proceeds towards Srinagar, people will stop their vehicle along the way. I said, is this legal? Can the police do something about it. He relied, this is the tradition here, we can't do much. The people are in control here.

So I was disappointed and than a guy came running after me. He asked where I want to go. I told him Srinagar. He said he can take me but I have to hire his taxi. I asked how much? He replied 7000 rupees [$120 US] I told him I will come back to him. So I went to some other driver and asked around about that guys proposal. They told me, he can take you, but he will stop on the side of the road whole night and start in the morning. It was difficult to believe anyone, so I took no chances. I booked a flight to Srinagar.

 

Jammu / Srinagar Airport
 

I wouldn't believe what I saw and experienced at Jammu and Srinagar airport. I had to go past three full security checks. First, when we enter the airport complex, second, when we enter the airport terminal, third when we go through customs. After I checked in my luggage, I will go through full security check again, then immediately I have to go outside on the tarmac to identify my checked-in luggage. If you fail to do this, your luggage won't be loaded on the plane. If you are carrying a laptop, you have to start the laptop in front of them. This is all for the security for the people. It caused bit of inconvenient but I was happy to see the authorities were all doing their job for our safety. One security asked me where is Fiji islands. I told him Fiji Islands is in the South Pacific. I don't think he knew where South Pacific is, he just nod his head pretending he knew where Fiji was.

 

Srinagar was much cooler than Lucknow. I would see snow high up in the mountains. I came to know one fact about Kashmir: Only Kashmiri can buy land in Kashmir. Other Indians from other states can't buy any land in Kashmir. I stayed for two nights in Kashmir. It was cold but I was able to keep myself warm. One thing I also discovered was that to live in Kashmir you need a form of vehicle. I hardly found a rickshaw or auto rickshaw operating like in Lucknow and Delhi in every corner of the streets. Kashmir was some amazing beautiful scenery.

 

While in Srinagar, the earthquake occurred in Nepal. Although the earthquake was felt in Kashmir, I never felt anything. When I arrived back in Jammu, I had to catch the train back to Lucknow. I was quite concern whether I will make it home, because in three days I was leaving for New Zealand. I wondered if the earthquake mangled all the railway lines. I wondered whether we might get stuck in in the middle of nowhere and won't be able to reach Lucknow on time. Praise God, that I arrived safely to Lucknow without any glitch. It was an amazing feeling that I was able to go alone to Srinagar and return back alone to Lucknow.

 

The challenging thing was that - only sim card purchased in Kashmir and Jammu works in Srinagar and Jammu. If you have overseas or local sim card from other states, it won't work. However, if you have excess to wifi, you can use your smartphone. I wasn't able to text or call anyone while I was in Kashmir.

 

Some thing I had learnt from this Journey

• Always do your home work before travelling
• Always research about possible setback - like the strike
• Make sure you check in 3 hours before flight since all these security checks take a lot of time [Jammu & Srinagar]
• Make sure you identify your luggage before boarding the plane
• Remember to communicate and cooperate with security
• Always ask the Police officer for information
• Always negotiate the price before travelling
• Travel light
• Take the night train because you can sleep through your journey
• Store the moisturiser cream in your check in luggage .. or lose it

Holiday

This week I am off to New Zealand to see my families and friends. I will be travelling again by train from Lucknow to Delhi. I hope the train is not delayed otherwise I would miss my flight to Auckland. Fingers cross. You can read all about my holiday in my next blog.