We decide not to go to the Indian-Pakistan border to witness the flag lowering ritual. This is political theatre and we just don’t have enough energy right now. Instead we rest up for a bit and Susan & I head out on our own trip to the Sikh Golden Temple. The taxi cannot get near the temple and leaves us some blocks away and the temple emerges as we wind through nearby streets and passages. We turn in our shoes and walk into and around the temple. We get in a looong line to the sanctuary to file past the guru-book with continuous chanting part of the process. There are a few guide/guards who keep people moving. In one corner of the sanctuary is a tiny place with maybe space for 4 or 5 people to sit and meditate. The guard gestures to Susan to sit and I join her, we get to sit and meditate and take in the wonderful ritual with the book for half an hour while most folks get a minute or two. Eventually we just have to give up our space and share it but the remarkable spiritual generosity of the guard will be remembered by us. We exit the sanctuary and walk around the temple taking pictures at the perfect time the sun is setting on the golden structure, another image we will carry with us.
We grab a tuck-tuck to go home but in passing through the clothing market Susan stops and visit’s a clothing vendor. She orders a couple Punjabi outfits which they promise to deliver to our hotel this very night.
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