We have a Nick Hornby moment

Strolling down Rajpath boulevard at sunset towards Delhi's India Gate was the perfect way to end our two-month India adventure. It was also conducive to a little reminiscing about the trip. In litt selv-opptatt Nick Hornby/Erlend Loe style, we came up with a list of moments that will stick with us for a while. In no particular order (except possibly the first), here are some of them:

1) Seeing His Holiness, the Dalai Lama
After hours of chanting and sitting squished between thousands of other anticipated folks, the emotional rush in the audience as the Dalai Lama walked into the temple was just electric.

2) The Jama Masjid, Delhi
I'll never forget the feeling of the warm, monsoon-soaked tiles under our feet and the feeling of solace after a particularly crazy beginning to the trip.

3) Small-town life in McLeod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh
Walk down Jogibara Road and you'll inevitably run into the guy in your yoga or conversation class, the woman selling 3-for-10 rupee momos on the street (mmmm), or the monk you sat next to during the teachings. A diverse set of characters in this little town made us feel most welcome, and their stories of both hardship and joy in and outside of Tibet will stay with us for a long time to come.

4) The fort at Bikaner, Rajasthan
We went to Rajasthan; we saw a lot of forts. This one in particular, however, stood out because of the amazing and hilarious Indian guide who made sure we learned exactly how heavy those guns were (30kg) and how they were used (on camels!). Elise also picked up some good guiding tips to use back at Bymuseet ;)

5) The city walk with Salaam Baalak Trust
This tour, led by Satender, a former street child now employed by the Trust, showed us a side to Delhi that's disturbingly a reality for over 100,000 children in the city. You can find out more and support the Trust's work for street children at http://www.salaambaalaktrust.com/

As I write this, Elise is somewhere up there on her way back to Oslo, while I wait to catch my flight to Singapore this evening. Tusen takk for en kjempefin tur Elise, og god tur hjem! I couldn't have asked for a better travel partner--although we've had a great trip all in all and it's easy to just remember the good moments, like every trip there have been ups and downs and difficulties but together I think we've managed to take it in stride :)

I'm really looking forward to going to Singapore, seeing family and exploring the city I'm (oh yeah...) originally from, but until then, it's time to savour the last day in Delhi!

Namaste/tashi delek
Lixian