As things are beginning to wind down, I will say I am more proud to be an American. The nations of INDIA, NEPAL and BHUTAN, and neighboring Tibet are allied with us and will be forever grateful for our support of them. While my friend Anup praised us for doing what we could to suppress Taliban Muslims, China continues to inflict aggression in southeast Asia. China is making moves to annex part of Nepal and India! India just exceeded China’s population and is now the most populous nation worldwide, and their economy appears to thrive while China is dealing with an economic slowdown tied to a real estate crash. China’s aging population is also a factor that they will need to continue to contend with. We also continue to support Tibet in its fight to remain independent from China. This is happening right now! BHUTAN is sandwiched in the mix and is, therefore, becoming more significant to China as well.
After ending my trip in BHUTAN, I’m further disgusted by any acts of aggression inflicted upon anyone, particularly the poor and vulnerable. I’m sorry to say that the situation seems pretty hopeless. The only way we can actually suppress the greed and arrogance of their northern neighbors would be to escalate the situation which could trigger World War III. If that were to happen, Russia would continue to side with China, and North Korea also gets involved. Turns out us white folks aren’t such bad people after all!
My adventure in BHUTAN was coming to an end, and during our ride from the hotel to the airport, Rinchen told me that I lived my life closely following the Buddhist Hindu philosophy, and that I was living in a way that would be the same as he and his traditions. That certainly pleased me as this is what inspired me to come to this part of the world. Rinchen and Thewang dropped me off at the more than manageable airport at 7 AM, and we said our goodbyes. Naturally, I gave them a gratuity that I’m sure they appreciated. Now it’s 9:10 AM and time to take off to DELHI. I was again excited to see the HIMALAYAS and MOUNT EVEREST, but the literal hurdle was that our pilot had to first get our Airbus Jet over the mountain ridge that surrounds PARO airport.
As we ascended over the mountain, he banked the jet to the left, then to the right, then back to the left again, and it was only at that point that I felt comfortable that we had made it. After making it over the Mountain Ridge, I saw a very high peak to my right, but as we progressed towards DELHI, the clouds thickened. Not too long after that, our pilot announced the mountain peaks to the far right. Including MOUNT EVEREST. The clouds were so thick, and we were further away than when we came to PARO so I didn’t even take one photograph.
My flight TO BHUTAN, overlooking the magnificent HIMALAYAS 4 days past would remain a once in a lifetime event. Coming in for a landing in DELHI, I accepted the reality that my plan had transpired as a progression from INDIA to NEPAL and finally to the magical BHUTAN, each offering a more safe and sanitary place with cooler and more comfortable climate every step of the way. But now I was back to square one in DELHI. I had been trying to contact Kumar in DELHI all morning so that I would be greeted by someone upon arrival. He’s the taxi driver that took such great care of me on my first day of this adventure. But unsuccessful I now had to contend with the fact that I had no ride, no hotel, and no plan.
When I landed in DELHI, I saw that Kumar tried to get back to me several times. I was able to communicate with him then, and he let me know that his son Rachmar would meet me at pillar number 13. There would be no problem recognizing me because I will be the only white guy. I decided to check into my hotel and dump my luggage, go back to the market that Kumar took me to 3 weeks ago to see if I could find a wall hanging for Nancy, then go back to my hotel and chill for my flight the next morning. But Kumar had a better idea. After Rachmar picked me up and I left my luggage at my hotel and to the market, Rachmar would take me to their home!
I was unsuccessful in finding Nancy’s wall hanging at the market, but I picked up a small bronze statue of Lord Laxmi, a sacred deity of prosperity worshiped in the Hindu faith. I intended to offer it as a gift for Kumar’s wife.
As I neared Kumar’s home, the area resembled a New York City borough beneath an L-train. However, upon arriving at their home, I encountered exactly what I had expected: a family living in extremely substandard conditions but seemingly happier than many who enjoyed a higher standard of living. I indulged in all the food I could eat and all the beer I could drink, considering it a privilege. I shared warm moments with the family.
Kumar was the only one who understood English, but everyone grasped the essence of our interactions. The beer agreed with me but also prompted a pressing question, “May I use your bathroom?” Kumar pointed to the alley through which we had entered their home. There stood a somewhat dilapidated outhouse shared by others in the neighborhood. It was in need of a fresh coat of paint but generally clean. Instead of a traditional toilet, there was a porcelain trench. I had encountered similar setups in poverty-stricken bathrooms in Tanzania. You place your feet on either side of the trench and do your business. Fortunately, I only needed to pee.
Now time to leave I thanked Kumar for arranging for all my plans to get me settled in my hotel and the market and he arranged for Rachmar to get me to the airport the next morning. I asked what the cost would be for all this transportation, and the total was ₹5000, about $60 US. I didn’t have enough Indian money and happily gave him a $100 bill. Thank you Kumar, and Family, and India! Let me know if you’re ever traveling to Delhi. I have Kumar’s contact information for you.
Rachmar arrived early, and I got to the airport 4 hours before my flight. Again, I had to be a traffic cop on the lines at the ticket check-in, immigration, and security. Some thought nothing of walking past you on line hoping to blend into the line as if being unnoticed. Others did notice but allowed the intrusion. I would make eye contact, sometimes requiring that I tap them on their arm or shoulder, and politely point to the end of the line. Every time they acted surprised as if they didn’t know where the line began and corrected their “error” walking to the end of the line.
Flying Qatar Airlines I had a 3-hour layover at DOA International Airport that I found to be the most beautiful airport I’ve ever seen. Then after the 12 1/2 hour flight to JFK, it felt great to be back in the good ole USA. Billy picked me up at the airport, and we went back to his home where I decided to beat the traffic out in New York City and get home. I got there at about 4 AM.
In conclusion: INDIA is Interesting and Intriguing. NEPAL is Adventuresome and Spectacular. BHUTAN is Magical and Humbling. They all have wonderful things to offer, and if you choose to do them all, I suggest you do so in this order. I was blessed in so many ways during these 3 weeks. May your adventures be as fortunate.
Rich Citro Adventures 