Srinagar

 19th October 2022

Did what a tourist should do.

Went on a Shikara ride for an hour over Dal Lake. Drifted by the shops on the lake.







The people who work on the houseboats live on the shores of the lake behind the boats.

They own their own smaller versions, punts. Men and women use these to go about their lives - school, shopping, whatever.

There is constant traffic going by. 

After an hour on the lake, went to the market area.

Was expecting something touristy. But got a city market. With a political drama. So gave up and headed for lunch and a place called Adhoos, for authentic Kashmiri food.


 That's the menu. Requested a half portion of the rice. Was refused, politely.


 Did not do too badly except for the rice portion. Food was excellent. Not spicy, even for me.

Their sweet is called a kihrni. Very much a payasam, with a nut on top.


Finished the khirni.

Waddled back to the ghat where I picked up a shikara to my houseboat.

End of day.

Tomorrow, I head back to less populated areas.

Must say this, a majority of tourists here are Bengali - either from our own West Bengal or from across the border. Both equally loud.

 


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