SICKNESS IN SRINAGAR

Maybe I wasn't thinking right - I had been ill four straight days, and hadn't seen my snowboard gear in six days. It was clear no one at Jet Airways had any idea where my luggage was, and no one was going to be so rude as to say it was lost. I could be at the Grand for weeks (at my expense) waiting for a bag that wouldn't arrive. I began thinking about pulling the pin.

Sunday was a down day as the Jet Airways office was closed and I wouldn't be going there. My hope was the office manager would realize I had no job and could go to his office every day pursuing my luggage, and that this would motivate him extra. So instead of that errand, and at the urging of my friends at the Grand, I took a two stroke over to the private hospital to attend and diagnose the illness, but of course doctors take the day off on Sunday at this facility. I returned to the Grand.

Like most places the seventh day is a market day and in Srinagar the sidewalks from Zero Bridge to Poloview were teeming with merchants and browsers. It was fascinating, and a great opportunity for photographs, but I didn't take it - the flu had me gripped. And in my mind I was already packing; on the ride back up Residency Road I decided to find my bag or leave town during the next week.
Photo credit: MHIP