Day 106. Amritsar

After a very nice breakfast we set off in search of SIM cards. We grabbed a tuktuk, they are torture and I usually have to navigate but they are reasonably efficient and cheap. 

We just crossed directly in front of this traffic- as you do! 

We went to Vodafone but were told we needed a local address, there was another supplier around the corner but we were told the same thing. 

So back to the hotel for help, the manager gave us a card and said the shop should ring him and he would help. 

Back to shop and things were going well, it took quite a while but at the final hurdle the system indicated “unknown error” we went through the system at least 3 times but in the end were told the only option was to come back another time. Great. 

Back to Vodafone, the phone call to the manager took place and then we were told unless the manager came to the store personally we could not proceed. Bugger. So no SIM cards.  

Maybe we can get them in Ludhiana where we are staying with a family. 

So back to the hotel to escape the heat and after a bit of a rest we headed to the Golden Temple. 

A hint of things to come. 

This is very impressive and heaving with people. This is a Sikh temple and it dates back to 1481. Everyone just strolls around the perimeter of the lake in barefeet and it is a lovely peaceful and family place. There is a requirement that you are barefoot and your head is covered. 

The temple sits in the middle of the lake and people queue up to walk through it. They also bathe in the waters that are considered sacred and healing. 

It is also famous for feeding anyone who wishes to be fed for free, up to 50,000 people every day are fed, except on special religious days when it can top 100,000! It is possible to make a donation for the food but there is no expectation to. 

People waiting to enter to be fed. They have 300 permanent helpers and hundreds of volunteers. The food is vegetarian and wholesome, cooked in massive pots. Hygiene is upmost and all dishes are washed five times.

We spent much time here just soaking up the atmosphere, a few people asked for selfies but most people were just content to do their own thing and maybe sneak a little peek at the foreigners. We met a young man from Afghanistan, studying at university here, he stopped for a chat as we walked. 

This lovely family stopped to chat.

I thought we might run in to some westerners here but no. 

Back to the hotel for a swim and maybe a G&T.