Golden Ticket

We were dropped at the local bus stand when we arrived in Amritsar and immediately Gurudas who sent their driver to pick us up!!  It was then we realized we stepped into an entirely different realm of India that we didn't even know existed.  Thank you Gurudas and Sadasat!!!  We were welcomed into their posh home and they both were very gracious in entertaining our 1000's of questions regarding Sikhism, India, Hindi, Punjabi, etc.  We were served hot, authentic Indian dishes homemade by their personal cook - so delish!  They invited us to the Golden Temple at 2am to observe and listen to Sadasat sing kirtan and play the harmonium in the Harmandir (a huge honor) - the music was hypnotic and beautiful.  I participated in seva, as Gurudas instructed her on washing (or rather filling buckets of water from the sacred Amrit Sarovar and handing them to the chosen men to dump on) the beautifully marbled floors.  It was an awesome experience.  This display of complete devotion touched us both; the Sikhs were all very welcoming.  Sam decided that he wanted one of the weapons that many of the Sikh men wear.  He was particularly fond of the kara's, so Gurudas and Sadasat sent us on our way to see a friend of theirs who makes them.  We picked out a beautiful steel kara inlaid with a golden bani.  We also visited the India/Pakistan border for their nightly choreographed changing of the guards and border closing ceremony.  It was such a dramatic performance and both Indians and Pakistani's displayed their pride by dancing, singing, shouting, and waving their flags.  It was a fascinating - and pretty hilarious - display of country pride!  Thank you so much for a completely different perspective of India living, Gurudas and Sadasat!  Your hospitality and patience with all our questions was really appreciated!  Good luck with Acha Bacha!