THE GRAND HOTEL, PT. TWO

It was almost dark in Srinagar and I was stuffed in the back of a farting two-stroke weaving through a scrum of twilight traffic. It was the right direction, but I didn’t know what to look for and couldn’t discern much out the window. It was starting to look more prosperous when the driver suddenly hucked this three-wheeled jammy hard right betwixt an ox-cart and a bus and into the alley opposite. We were at the Grand Hotel.

The decision to stop was not mine but I didn’t quibble – it would soon be dark. The Grand Hotel & Restaurant had central heating, hot water, room service, newspapers, television, security, and a friendly, helpful staff. I felt lucky to drop in here of all the places in this city; I was going to be OK.

Something had happened in my universe. What had I done to cause it? The first room was very nice but when I turned back the bedroll it looked like a barbershop floor - so much hair. I transferred to the next room, but in the confusion the central heat was not activated. The next morning I rolled out early to see town and do errands; when I returned the key broke in the lock and it took an hour to get in and transfer to the third room in 12 hours.
Photo credit: MHIP