A Northeast Thanksgiving

After one and a half days of travel we finally made it to Gangtok, Sikkim’s capital. As in we took an autorickshaw to the town from the Satra, from there a shared jeep ride to the ferry, then the ferry from Majuli island to the mainland (the experience of which was much more peaceful the second time around), then a shared jeep ride to the town, then an all day bus ride back to Guwahati. The bus broke down before reaching the final destination, although not too far, so we all disembarked in the dark (it was only 6pm), and started walking. We got on a local bus which took us where we could take another local bus to the bus station. We had a quick dinner and go on the overnight train to northern West Bengal. This was the first time that Nisarga was travelling third class sleeper non-AC, and my first time in 4 years, so basically we were under the impression we’d get sheets and a pillow… but nope! Everyone around us started unpacking their bedspreads and whatnot and … well… we added a few layers on and were grateful that we were exhausted so that we were bound to get some sleep at least. Nisarga was smart enough to bring along earplugs, because the orchestra of snoring was incredible!!! My ipod earphones were the best I could come up with. From the train station we took a jeep share 5 hours north into Gangtok, and finally a taxi into the city and a hotel where we could set our weary bones for a couple of nights. (In the pictures, that's Nisarga on the top bunk with his beige hat on.)

Actually, we dropped off our bags, washed our faces and brushed our teeth, and headed out for Thanksgiving lunch! Although this was the calendar day after Thanksgiving (the day set aside to give thanks for what you have, an official holiday in the US, based on the fairytale story that the pilgrims sat and broke bread on that day with the Native Americans and everyone lived happily ever after together – instead of the Native Americans all being killed off or put into conservation camps… but that’s another blog entry on the efforts to create a false common “American” identity when everyone’s roots are from somewhere else), we were starving and I wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving with the only family I’ve got by my side: Nisarga! So we stumbled into a really nice restaurant with a marvellous view of the highest Himalayan peak in India, ordered yummy food and said what we were grateful for! I ordered pork. Then we went to a café and had chocolate balls, sitting next to a Christmas tree listening to Western Music. It was such a treat!!! In the US, since the family tends to get together during Thanksgiving, it is also often the time the Christmas tree goes up and is decorated. The welcome platoon of poinsettas along the road and the giving thanks and now the café setting that could be anywhere in the US or Europe… it really feels like Christmas and that the end of the year is coming. I don’t think I have felt that in over 5 years, since the last time I was in the US at this time. With perfect timing, Nisarga’s mom and dad both called while we were at the café… as if to share in the family moment with us (actually they were worried about us due to the Bombay terrorist attacks but still, great timing!).

That was our Sikkim Thanksgiving! Thank you!!!