Tea, Cake, Thenthug and Leopards.

Siliguri 20/1/13

Well my time in India is almost up. I leave tomorrow to meet little Joe Richardson (see photo) in Thailand. Absolute mayhem may ensure, when me and Joe get together… …oooo mama, CHAOS. For the meantime I’m just looking forward to a new country, Siliguri is a bit boring little transit town but I did have a good Kebab a minute ago, a little mutton number which I followed up with a fudge chocolate Cornetto, LIVING.THE.DREAM.

(Little Joe on the left there)

Had a good month so far since Nasi. Met the parents in Kolkata, CHAOS. Stayed in a lovely little guest house there called the Oberoi Grand, Bathroom attached, thick mattress, veeerrrry comfy. It was nice seeing where Papa grew up, everything was still there, just about. The school where Papa and my aunties went was as old as Papa and they were very similar. 56 years and still there, the Masonry could do with a look over but still of use for the time being, though I imagine the upkeep is much more expensive than that of a modern building. (Sorry Dad) It was amazing going to the swimming club where papa and my aunties learnt to swim and seeing that they still had record boards up with my Aunties’ names and times on for various mile long swims. I don’t remember ever learning to swim a mile, not sure how much use it is, I assume it’s a nautical mile and I’m not sure how long that is. We also got to watch a bit of cricket at Eden Gardens, as I am heading back to Kolkata tonight I hope there is some going on when I get there as I have a day to kill. Had some cracking meals with the family, Papa beat me at pool (still bitter), got ill and the best thing that has happened on the whole of my trip.

I WON A BIRTHDAY CAKE.

There was obviously some sort of mix up as me and Gill had both told them it was Michael’s birthday. Ineptitude does have it’s benefit and it’s cakes.

Here’s a picture of Papa proving that you can have your cake and eat it.’ (lol)

Kolkata to Darjeeling was then next trip, Darj was fun drank lot’s of tea and did touristy things. I was put at ease as soon as I got to Darjeeling by the owner of the guest house with this bit of crucial advice.

‘Make sure you come back not too late, a leopard bited a man.’

‘Oh God, does that happen often?’

‘Sometimes’

‘Was it in the town?’

‘Just by the main square.’

‘Okay’

Good advice usually I just get told which toilets work or where and when I can get hot water. It may have been a bit of fun to be honest. As a piece of false advice it is even better. If I owned a b&b in England I would do the same.

‘Yeah your rooms there… breakfast is between 7 and 10, oh and there’s a pack of dogs that attacked a child last night.’

Speaking of England I had a cracking English Tea by a roaring fire in the Windermere hotel. So many letters from historic figures on the walls as well from Nehru to colonial Commanders of India as well as some poems about Darjeeling by famous authors. Don’t know why I had an English Tea to be honest, I never have one at home. Apart from when I play cricket, but I don’t think 2 sausage rolls, an egg sandwich, a handful of wotsits, biscuits and cake really count.

After all the tea in Darjeeling, I went to Mirik a small village by a lake on the border with Nepal. Bit quiet watched a school football match though which was pretty entertaining, it’s funny how even though I don’t have a clue what the players or supporters are saying you can tell what the players are like by the way they play and the supporter’s response. My favourite was the young lad who I only ever saw him boot the ball as hard as he could several times much to the amusement of his friends watching. Every time he would clear the ball it would go miles. The penalty shootout was stressful everyone crowded around the penalty taker and keeper. They should do it for major finals though. A whole stadium around the box would be intense. Apart from that Mirik offered nice walks in the woods and hills amongst Tea and Japanese cedars as well as a cracking Tibetan restaurant. A cheeky Thenthug and I’m anyones. Anyway I’m done best go get train and stop watching cable tv. Just finished watching transworld sport for the first time in about ten years.

Oh and I have passed the 10,000 word mark. Possibly the most inconsequential useless series of sentences and paragraphs ever written.