It was snowing when we arrived yesterday
and it continued throughout the night causing power cuts. We have no heating or hot water. We have a little gas heater but there
are gas restrictions so we are trying to do the right thing and only have it on
low.
We managed to spend 4 hours at the market today;
it is within walking distance of the guesthouse. It is a hive of activity. It is noisy and the traffic congestion has to be seen and
heard to be believed. It is the
gateway to Gulmarg.
Whilst we were in the market we found a tailor to take up the sleeves on my
hoodie, bought biscuits for both the family at the guesthouse and for Bashir’s
family, bought some long johns to wear to bed and purchased a phone card and
internet usb. Ran into a few
familiar Ski Himalaya faces, guides from previous visits so this meant numerous
cups of tea – a Kashmiri tradition.
Had lunch at Downhill Restaurant. It is the best spot for watching the
mayhem below. They have the best food and the warmest bakari (fire place).
Back at the guesthouse the power is still
off. There is no way we’re going
to have showers. It is too
cold. We’re going across the road
to Bashir’s for dinner. His house
is the other extreme. It is
sweltering. He has his bakari
roaring.
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| One of the Manzoor's sons, in the upstairs renovations |
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| Walking into the market |
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| Local kids playing in the snow |
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| They agreed to a photo |
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| Me, outside the guesthouse |
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