5th January

On the 1st of January, Massi, Preet and Jassi returned to England and we went to Mum’s home town, Bilga, to stay for a couple of nights. Whilst there, we learnt all about Mum’s peculiar childhood habits. She would go to others farms and offer to help people pick potatoes, only if she could take some home, and then would be seen walking back into town with her pants rolled up to her knees, the sack of potatoes on her back and sucking on a sugar cane.

We were also told by another neighbour about mum catching mice in small containers. The same neighbour who used to sell dhal in the bazaar where mum would go and help herself. During this visit there were also many references made to Mum’s turban wearing days.

We had mendhi done professionally and Mum also had a facial, whilst Ben was riding around town on a motorbike. We went for a walk to the farm, and visited where Papa was cremated. Along with meeting more family. On the way home, we visited the local jail/police station. Bibi asked if they could lock Ben in a cell but the policeman thought he may get frightened.

We have made many visits to the bazaar today, for last minute things, including, to collect Ben’s full size flag. Now we sit by the fire reflecting on the fun we have had here.

Our last day in India, an early start. A sad farewell at 9am, and promises of returning in a couple of years. 3 hours later, we arrived in Amritsar, with a packed lunch of rhoti and mango pickle. As we entered the car park, the military checked our car for weapons (if we had any they would take them and return them to us when we left the car park). We cleared customs, which was heavily manned by the Indian army, only to discover our flight had been delayed. Scheduled time of departure was 2:40pm, we finally take to the air at 4pm.

We arrive at Indra Ghandi International Airport, at about 5:15pm. Where Mum and I tormented Ben with comments about how many Air India planes there were on the tarmac (see 18th December-Singapore). On our trip from the Domestic terminal to the International terminal we saw signs of the high military presence in Dehli. We passed one particular point just outside the International terminal where the army stood with their rifles mounted and ready to fire. Even on our bus was a soldier with his rifle. Now we sit for 6 hours awaiting check in, at 12am. Mum had her first coffee, since Singapore. Ben spent his 6 hours moaning and wandering back and forth to the food village.

Bye from India, next stop Europe.