Tumbling in Guwahati

On my second night in Guwahati after supper at a very dimly lit air conditioned restaurant about half on  mile from Baruah Bhavan I was picking my way home along the unusual pavements that have metal hooks embedded in them (pic below) . 

My phone tinkled and it was Monika sending me a friendly greeting. Excited to hear from her, I kept on chatting and praising the virtues of Guwahati, until... Bang. I tripped on the treacherous pavement and fell flat on my face. phone and glasses went flying cheekbone and elbow grazed and a small rip on my trousers.

After getting back on my feet, discretion and safety dictated it would be better to continue the call when I was back in my room. 20 minutes later the lovely caretaker H C Khalita saw straight away I'd had a tumble.

My glasses took the brunt of the fall and were somewhat bent. He did an excellent job squeezing them back in shape even if they are now slightly mis-aligned. My scuffs were minor but my bruised ego was major. I was an idiot to try and chat on the phone at night on a poorly lit hazard ridden road and walk at the same time.

Another hard  Indian lesson. Perhaps my little Ganesha pendant brought me travellers luck by ensuring I wasn't hurt more than I should have been, but just enough to warn me not to be cocky.

Guwahati delights

Waking up in Guwahati Was not a disappointment. The guesthouse rooftop provides spectacular views. Ramshackle buildings peppered with palm trees rippling with a tropical breeze. I was delighted and felt good after a much needed 8 hours sleep.

Getting here was a lot more arduous than expected.

It may be my imagination or false memory but I have a feeling that the legendary fantastic Indian railway experience is crumbling at the edges. The more tech they embrace the more inefficient it seems to get. Less catering rooms on stations and harder to find info. In spite of my arriving at the station an hour before and heading for the indicated platform. The train was still at least an hour late and they made a last minute platform change which saw me rushing with backpacks and stick up an over the very busy bridge.

Breathlessly panting the train number to the inspector he confirmed it was indeed my ride and pointed to my compartment . Needless to say my berth had been commandeered. A family returning from a  holiday were sticking together. They offered me a side compartment further down the coach but I really wanted the berth I'd booked for good reasons.

It wasn't a problem and the family didn't mind shuffling around and they turned out to be a delightful friendly train companions. With much discussion and laughter we weathered the delays. By the time we waved goodbye to each other, we were 6 hours behind schedule with 4 hours still to reach Guwahati.

The locomotive finally dragged into the station at 9.30pm.  A very friendly cheery train inspector pointed me in the best direction for rickshaws and soon I was whisked through the dark quiet To Baruah Bhavan.

Having pre-arranged my stay the staff were waiting for me, carried my bag upstairs into what is so far the most charming place I've stayed in yet. With an air of  old world tradition the staff treat every guest like a Lord. After a quick wash I was invited through to the dining room to take the dinner I had ordered and was still waiting for me (a little luke warm but still welcome)

Beruah Bhavan  is  way pricier than most of my other places I've stayed in, but splurging out a little every now and then helps the spirits recover. Breakfast Is included as are tea and coffee through the day all individually served by the attentive lads who would stir your coffee for you if you asked. The rooms and common areas are packed with amazing curios and art works... His Masters Voice made a nice ironic photo.