Kick-starting from hometown Ahmedabad

Video Clip

Shattered hopes, but accurate prediction!
…Armaan is not going to miss me enough 🙁

Considering all the daddy-and-son activities we did in the last couple weeks of Gopi not being in the US, my slight hope that he will miss me more was completely shattered…    As I had almost predicted, after checking in my bags on Fri (23Jun17) at the United counter, when I came back outside to say bye one more time, Armaan utters “Why aren’t you gone already, why did you come back!”  The picture above is my desperate attempt to make him miss me just a little bit, but I guess he couldn’t contain his excitement of being in a true “curfew-free” time with no one to even set the Dos-and-Donts for grandparents (I guess the grandparents are more excited in this case…)

By kick-starting our adventure with the first stop in our hometown Ahmedabad, the revitalized adrenalin has dissipated a lot of nervous energy and anxiety that started building up with the daily insurgency news.  Meeting grandparents, sister, in-laws, friends and family refreshed our perspective.  I’d also attribute it to the foodie-crazed greasy, delicious comfort-food of Ahmedabad – all the way from the nostalgic Jasuben Pizza, Municipal Market and breakfast at Parimal Garden to the Sizzlers at Upper Crust and authentic gujju food at Swati.

Although we’ve now stopped following the news about Srinagar, all our well-wishers do keep us posted with links of CRPF convoy attacks, lynched DSP, 14-hour long encounter, etc. on a regular basis.  We’re given solace that these activities do not happen in tourist areas, those are really far [definition of  really far = 30 kms (18.64 miles!!!], which is just a stone’s throw away in US distances!  This is the normal way of life in Kashmir, it’s just that only now we’re paying attention to it.  Regardless, a special shout-out to great friends Hemali, Krishna and Kushal, who’ve gone through the great lengths of reaching out to their contacts Indian Army and Navy to assess the situation for us – thanks a lot guys 🙂

Alright, so it’s finally happening, albeit all the challenges, including a new one that this year is unusually colder and rainier than last many years!!  Packing is almost done, even though Gopi’s shopping will never end…  For this 12-day trip, it seems like she’s taking almost double (24 pairs) clothes, which then forces me to cut mine into half (only 6 t-shirts) – not complaining this time due to my desire to experience minimalism.  Fellow riders, just a fair warning to keep your distance 😉 

Taking off Fri (30Jun17) evening for Delhi, on the way to Srinagar.

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