Yamunotri

I climbed 5 kms of the steep Himalyan hill to reach Yamunotri. Correction - I was carried by 4 people in this uphill climb. Not in a wheelchair, but in a chair attached to 4 poles - a kind of palanquin. Four men were supposed to carry me after my death, not when I was hale and healthy. And if I was unable to climb the hill, why on earth would I want to go to this holy place. I don't think I will ever get a little bit punya by this act. 

Then something happened. I got down from this doli to cover last 50 meters or so by walk. I started shivering, and I could not control the shiver and started whimpering. The same doli carriers, helped me by giving me hot tea and asking me to rub my palms vigorously. And then taking me to the hot spring. Who says humanity does not exist? You find it unexpected places and situations. 

But then once in the temple, a priest almost dragged us by hand and performed a puja in our names. OK, that is good. We semi-believers deserved that. But what was not priestly was him not accepting 100 rupee dakshina we offered. He gave it back to us. He had a valid point - you are giving money to doli, you are giving money to the bus and hotel, but not to a Brahmin. 

So my advice is don't be like me. Train more and try to walk up the hill. The climb is really pretty. 

And don't get upset when the doli carriers haggle for more money once we come back from the climb. They always do. 

One thing I must mention is the state of the path - there are trekkers, there are horses - constantly defecating and there are doli carriers, all walking in the same narrow path. All through out the path, the cleaners are sweeping the path continuously. Still, it is dirty. 

Our travel agency had given us boxed lunch to eat during our trek. And after eating that meal in a small eatery adjacent to the trail - I had the worst nausea in the evening. But people advice  you not to eat local food - as they may not be hygienic.