Dreaming of the hills

In 2 days we leave.

That amazing annual pilgrimage to the hills.

It seems like a mirage at this point - a flickering hope amidst the heat of today.

And yet May 14th has come closer and closer - and now is within striking distance.

Bags are in the process of being packed. Lists made and being ticked off. Work issues being worked through. Plants. No milk. Dog (wait - we don't have a dog - though there is a constant clamour for one by the junior Eichers).

Friday evening sees us board the Rajdhani for Delhi. Then a glorious day in Delhi with Stefan, Neeru, Ashish and Anjali - as well as Victor, Sarah and Joanna - and who knows how many other precious people.

Then the night train to Dehra Dun (literally - it leaves at 11.45 PM) and the joy of getting into Dehra early in the morning. A magical taxi ride through the 6 AM empty streets of the city (now the capital of Uttarakhand no less) - and the slow winding road up to Mussoorie.

Our kids will probably stop half way to retch a bit. Par for the course. But that will all be made up for by experiencing the coolness and seeing the beloved sights of oaks and pines - the joy of after bend of beauty unrolling before us - though it will be marred a bit when we see the ever-increasing pockets of hotels clustered on top of almost every hillock near the top.

And then finally, after scooting through the still sleepy town of Mussoorie - winding through the long linear bazaar of Landour - going up hair-pin after hair-pin to get to the top - the taxi will stop in a small spot at Sister's Bazaar.

Our parents will be there. Waiting for our taxi to grind to a halt. Cheery and bleary-eyed. Smiles as wide as the Himalaya. Warm hugs. A short prayer of thanks. Notes given to the taxi-driver - along with a tract or two. Then the joy as we walk down the short path to Shanti Kunj.

All this lies before us - beginning a short 48+ hours away....