Last post till October as I am on the flight home this Tuesday which will draw a conclusion to another brilliant 8 months in India. Summer should witness mountains of cheese, gallons of ale and piles of pies and pastries devoured in the name of healthy eating so look forward to that.
Very busy last week riding, walking and running the trails every day with one day seeing me walk 20km jog 10km, cycle off road for 20km and cycle on road for 60km which put me in serious difficulties for the next couple of days, difficulties manifesting themselves in an unprecedented bout of 24 hour grumpiness that saw me curse monkeys, complain to hotel staff about filthy pillow cases and blank all questions on my marital status which seems to preoccupy every Indians thoughts.
Left the mountains these past three days and travelled through the town of Rishikesh sprawled out along the Ganges River and famed for its East meets West moment when the Beatles signed up for a yoga retreat at the fabled Sri Mahareshi yogi Ashram back in the 60’s. For me it will be remembered for the Hotel Inderlok.
On the second morning I determined to get a decrease in my room rate by explaining that I was inspecting hotels on behalf of a travel company (which is basically true). The hotel receptionist seemed impressed by my credentials and explained that the price of the room could be discounted and suggested a price higher than that paid for the 1st night. Outraged I asked him how this could be.
‘Today high season sir, yesterday low season’, further heated negotiations followed and I managed to get the room heavily discounted to its original price again.
The following morning on my way back into the hotel after breakfast I asked for the key that I had left with the receptionist. “Today checkout ?” he asked passing me the key.
“No tomorrow check out.” I replied
“No sir today checkout, hotel full, wedding party” seizing the key back out of my hand
“Give me the key”
“Today checkout” he replied defiantly
“Give me the key!” I shouted lunging at him trying to wrestle the key out of his hand, an act that seemed to raise the hotel manager from his slumber in the back office who barked some orders at the receptionist who politely handed me the key back and explained that indeed there was room in the hotel tonight and would I need a taxi for the following morning.
With that Fawlty Towers-esque moment decribed I bid you all a fond Namaskaram and look forward to seeing you all soon.
