It was extremely cold in the tent. Uma and Bhuvana were in a better location within the tent. Rao was close to the entrance Nirmala's bed was close to a window, which I noticed in the morning was open all night. She was given two comforters to cover herself and she wore the heavy sweater I took from the USA. But we all caught cold and were coughing and sneezing. We woke up in the morning, washd our mouth and face, had hot cup of spicy tea prepared by the cook. When it was time to vacate and finalize the bill, we were told that we had to pay for ten people since only five of us occupied the tent. No one else came to sleep there. But we had to argue a lot to convince the renter that it was not our fault. After we paid him what was really due, Uma wanted me to pay them a few hundred rupees extra as tip. I just could not understand his logic. After lot of discussion, I paid them and then I noticed that Uma paid him 100 rupees more. When questioned, he said that they did him favors by giving him a long woolen coat to cover etc.
Anyway, we all walked to the Helipad by 6 a.m. I stood in line for the boarding pass. Bhuvana volunteered to keep all those waiting for the same in one line. Some of us had tickets, but no boarding pass. We assumed that we would be cleared first. But, the wait was never ending. We waited for 5 hours and the line did not move. Then Bhuvana found out that they were selling new tickets on the other side of the booth and giving them boarding passes. She and another young man started fighting with the govt. employees who were doing this. Finally we were given a number and were asked to return after lunch. The corruption there is unimaginable!! After a small healthy lunch which was free at the only dhaba there, we went back to the booth. It did not open at the specific time. More yelling, more arguing was going on. Bhuvana separated the people into two line. Those who have the tickets, those who want to purchase the tickets. She made sure that the officers did not sell new tickets until we were all given the passes. She was working on everyone's behalf there. So, they all respected her.
Finally, the helicopters were running and we went closer to the boarding area waiting to be called. Again, more corruption. A police officer by passed us and let a group of five board the helicopter. They were all talking in Tamil and looks like they were his friends. Mind you, this kind of treatment is very common in India. I see Nirmala having this special treatment in Tirumalai when we go for Balaji's darsan. But here, she also minded the discrimination!!!
Finally, we boarded the helicopter at 3:30 p.m. Only Uma had a working phone. I don't know whether I mentioned before - in Jammu-Kashmir area, only postpaid phones worked. Not prepaid ones. BSNL clained there service is good there. Bit they never said that you have to have a post paid account. Uma contacted our driver Suresh immediately after landing and the wonderful Suresh met us promptly on the main road and we left a sigh of relief after all that ordeal.
All of us decided to finish dinner and then go to the boat house. Rao, Nirmala and Uma wanted a South Indian meal. We went to a place called Nathu's. They ordered Dosa which Rao said tasted awful and he could take only a couple of bite. I had Chinese fried rice and it was wonderful. Overall, we wasted money and food there. By the way, it was like a fast food, self serve type. But the tables and chairs were outside and so it was fun. We had Jelebi for dessert and it was yummy !!
Anyway, we all walked to the Helipad by 6 a.m. I stood in line for the boarding pass. Bhuvana volunteered to keep all those waiting for the same in one line. Some of us had tickets, but no boarding pass. We assumed that we would be cleared first. But, the wait was never ending. We waited for 5 hours and the line did not move. Then Bhuvana found out that they were selling new tickets on the other side of the booth and giving them boarding passes. She and another young man started fighting with the govt. employees who were doing this. Finally we were given a number and were asked to return after lunch. The corruption there is unimaginable!! After a small healthy lunch which was free at the only dhaba there, we went back to the booth. It did not open at the specific time. More yelling, more arguing was going on. Bhuvana separated the people into two line. Those who have the tickets, those who want to purchase the tickets. She made sure that the officers did not sell new tickets until we were all given the passes. She was working on everyone's behalf there. So, they all respected her.
Finally, the helicopters were running and we went closer to the boarding area waiting to be called. Again, more corruption. A police officer by passed us and let a group of five board the helicopter. They were all talking in Tamil and looks like they were his friends. Mind you, this kind of treatment is very common in India. I see Nirmala having this special treatment in Tirumalai when we go for Balaji's darsan. But here, she also minded the discrimination!!!
Finally, we boarded the helicopter at 3:30 p.m. Only Uma had a working phone. I don't know whether I mentioned before - in Jammu-Kashmir area, only postpaid phones worked. Not prepaid ones. BSNL clained there service is good there. Bit they never said that you have to have a post paid account. Uma contacted our driver Suresh immediately after landing and the wonderful Suresh met us promptly on the main road and we left a sigh of relief after all that ordeal.
All of us decided to finish dinner and then go to the boat house. Rao, Nirmala and Uma wanted a South Indian meal. We went to a place called Nathu's. They ordered Dosa which Rao said tasted awful and he could take only a couple of bite. I had Chinese fried rice and it was wonderful. Overall, we wasted money and food there. By the way, it was like a fast food, self serve type. But the tables and chairs were outside and so it was fun. We had Jelebi for dessert and it was yummy !!
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