Kashmir da Saga....

Well, To begin with I didn't go to Kashmir. But my elder sister did. Her family along with 6 other families went for Kashmir trip last month. I was on phone the other day with her asking about her trip (well, for more than an hour) and the way she was explaining the place..... ahhhh, it was like I was always there, right there with her.

In her words....
Kashmir is like heaven on earth. Never seen such beautiful place, beautiful roses, clothes, ice-laden mountains, people. They are just so fresh and closer to nature than anyone. Main centers are always watched over by the army men. Wherever you go you see them. People go extra mile to make the tourists comfortable. They even say "you guys are the ones who feed our family. Please don't forget us and keep coming back to see us."

Kashmir is not that developed, mostly because of lack of interest from government. If they would wish, they can create this immensely popular tourist destination on the face of the earth. Only the 3 or 4 summer months are Kashmir's popular tourist season. Only at that time they have a chance to earn, so you see all these people begging, fighting to get your business. Be it a horse ride, ride on the house boat or just buying a pashmina shawl.

Pashmina Shawls are made from the wool around a pashmina goat. Those are the softest wool found. The craftmenship of these stoles and shawls is immaculate. There is no comparison to those beautiful designs. There was a pashmina shawl in a musuem which had the whole Kashmir valley designed on it. What's the specialty in that you ask? well, this was done way long back, when there was no map.

The young generation wants to do something, achieve something and show India that they are also part of them and not to forget. They aspire to become lawyers, doctors. This beautiful lady would tell her that all she wanted to do was get done with her masters and try to find a good job in Delhi. The bell boy at the hotel, would not accept any tips. He was working there part time during his break from college, so his younger brother could afford college. Father and son duo at the Hotel Shawl Shop would offer answers to thousands of questions and no pressure on buying. The son was studying during his morning hours to become a lawyer and evening would come and look after this store.

Valley was just so beautiful that it would take your breath away. Literally when you would come acorss those huge pine trees, or crossing the bridges or looking down to see the deepest valley right beside your foot... :o). Oh, the quietest and peaceful place in the world ---- Shankaracharya's mediation place atop Shankaracharya hill, which sits more than 1000ft above Srinagar. When you are there, it's like there is no tomorrow, there is no yesterday, there is no pain or sorrow... Just T.H.A.T moment... peaceful...

Hmmmm., it's me again, back to reality. After I heard my sister, I want to go visit these places... and enjoy them in real, just like I did when she narrated me.. Oh, forgot to mention, she is a teacher and sure is the best in that. :o). Love ya Vittai..