Last stop in India, March-May 2024

After 7 months in and more than 5000 km through India, the time in this crazy, beautiful, challenging and diverse country is now over.

After cycling north through sandy Rajasthan in March, exploring Haryana with its excellent cuisine, and taking in the green fertility and openness of the local population over a short stretch in Punjab, we reached mountainous Himachal Pradesh in April.

We pedal at walking pace up the hills of the central Himalayas to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama in McLeodganj, hike a little and finally roll back down to Rishikesh/Uttarakhand, on the holy Ganges River, to spend our last longer stay in this country and to receive a visit from cousin Deepa.

As always when we are about to cross a border, we feel a bit between two worlds these days. Melancholy is mixed with anticipation and excitement. We reflect on the past and plan for what is to come.

There are so many stories to tell. About the experiences, about the short or sometimes longer encounters along the way. About what can be observed and admired as one drives past. This time, however, the words fail...

All that remains now is to say thank you. Thank you India!

For all your horror, which you do not try to hide, at the end of this time with you, we will remember your beauty.

Thank you for showing yourself to us in such a new way. For taking such good care of us. For surprising us with how easy it is to cycle along your streets, through your traffic and your landscape.

The cliché of the loud, hectic noise from countless means of transport has only come true in the last few weeks. Even the horns seem to blare louder in the north.

Thank you to the Indians! It was a pleasure for us to meet so many different people, with different religions, from different social classes and to have the feeling of being warmly welcomed right up until the last day.

The many observations lead to a somewhat deeper understanding of a culture that is so complex.

At the same time, much remains misunderstood and leaves us thoughtful and curious.

And thank you, dearest Deepa! For your time, your patience, your support - for being family!