Hope

Mom, if you're still reading this, you're not going to be happy with me.

I want to go back to India next year, and if the gods permit, perhaps Kashmir as well.

See, there's this ski "resort" (I use the term loosely) called Gulmarg just outside of Srinagar. Apparently Gulmarg has what many snow experts consider to be some of the best skiing/boarding to be had in the world. I know a guy who is heading there on Friday (hi, Josiah!) and I'm anxious to hear his report when he returns. Depending on a few things, I might try to hit that next year.

The potential pitfall (besides the whole "returning to Kashmir" thing, which doesn't bother me but some of you dear readers may have gentle objections to) is the gear. Ugh. I'd have to cart my snowboard around, which by definition would negate the whole concept of traveling light. But for snowboarding in the Himalayas I think I might be able to deal with it.

Of course, Gulmarg would not be the only stop on the trip. I'd also like to see some more of India that I'd initally planned on seeing but wasn't able to for one reason or another. Rajasthan and Khajuraho are right up there at the top of the list, and they have the added benefit of being not terribly far from Delhi. I'd also like to check out Kerala, a long, skinny strip of beach in the south. BEACH. From snowboarding to the beach! I could handle that.

I'm curious what the Indian embassy will do about the visa, though. I'm getting low on pages in the passport that do not already have a stamp on them. Maybe they'll just put it over the first one.