The head wobble is a curious phenomenon to Westerns. My favorite scene in "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" is of Judi Dench getting lost in the maze of alley ways that make up Indian cities. She asks a man for the correct direction to her destination and his response is a head wobble with a "yes." Confused, she replies "Is it yes or no?" To which the man gives the same response, a head wobble and a "yes."
We know it will be a long day leaving the Baspa Valley. Setting off as the rays of sun begin to peek over the mountain tops, we race down the valley in hopes of making the 6:30am-7:00am traffic window for the detour. As we get to the entry point, the hand of the crossing guard goes up. I glance at the clock on the dashboard, it is 7:15am. Just 50 meters ahead, the Himachal Pradesh regional bus is rambling up the mountain side kicking up dust in its wake as it turns the corner of the first switchback. Just missed it.
Manish steps out of the front car and I ask out the window of the second vehicle "Did we miss it?". He wobbles his head. "Oh good we get to go" is my immediate thought. And then I remember my favorite scene. "Your head wobble means that we have missed it" I say to Manish. He smiles.
But all is not lost. Within minutes the crossing guard determines that there is enough time for us to make it over the pass in the alloted time. We take off in chase of the bus up the mountain side.
06.18.14
Karchum, Himachal Pradesh, India
8:51am
A quick stop for a blessing on the way down the valley.
Posted crossing times.
The only thing that stops traffic completely is a herd of sheep and goats passing.
Check out this no-joke collar. It is to protect the dog from leopards.
No comments:
Post a Comment