National Highway 9 revisit

As Adda and I headed out, my mind wasn't too clear. It was about 6:15 AM when we started and the sun wasn't out yet. Sleep hadn't yet left me. But after a while, we caught sight of a thin lane leading to a vast vacant field and some stony hillocks where we decided to get into. I enjoyed the silence of it, the vastness, the greens and also the fact that this was a bit far from the road and cars. In a small way, this was an escape. Though, neither of us ended up clicking much there, I felt rejuvenated.

As we headed down the highway, we spotted an occasional photograph here and there but decided that one photo wasn't enough reason to stop. Perhaps we can change that the next time around.

Our breakfast, of delicious 'Aloo Paratha' was at the most ordinary joint, or 'Dhaba' as they are commonly known here. The food was tasty and the service rather personal and friendly. The place was as rural as it can get on highways. There were a brood of hens and roosters who cleared up the leftovers and fallen crumbs. They weren't afraid of people and people weren't wary of them either. Such was the nature of the place. Though we didn't click much, we sat around talking for a while. It was fairly cloudy and windy, which allowed that.

One of the friendly young fellows came up to us and asked whether we were from The Discovery Channel. And then later, a touch worried, asked if we were from the CBI! We smiled it away and were able be convince them of our harmlessness, if I may say so. It made me a little sad though. Everyone is afraid these days. Afraid of the "culture of fear" terrorism creates, afraid of a country, much of which still believes "might is right"... just plain afraid. This underlying fear has the potential to mar the easy going and light hearted environment, places like these on the outskirts tend to have.

After much deliberation, I decided to combine these two shots, that combine the rustic tranquality as well as the speed on these highways.

The last 13 shots in this album are from our morning's ride.