The Adventure Begins Anew – Part 3 Patna to Nalanda

Getting my bags, I exited the airport and was so happy to see Bajrangi holding up a sign saying Monika – Nava Nalanda Mahavihara on it. The car that I had asked to be arranged for me was there. Bajrangi put my bags in the trunk and then off we went. I asked him to stop by some friends’ house and I was surprised at how I started to recognize some landmarks and was able to help give the driver directions.  After being refreshed with my first taste of Indian food and chatting my friends, it was time to head to Nalanda.

I sat back briefly in my seat only to immediately reach for my camera to take fascinating pictures of city life in Patna. Once we were out of the city, my eyes started to close and I fell asleep. When I woke up, I was a little upset at myself because I had hoped to see the Ganges river as we crossed it. But apparently I needed the sleep more than the view.

Bajrangi is an excellent driver. It takes a skill that most Americans do not have. It’s almost like being in a video game, although there are no second chances, no new lives that pop up immediately. So, you have to have skill and maybe the blessings of the gods to drive in India. The driver’s must also intuitively know who has the bigger ego, themselves or the driver heading straight for them. It’s almost like a dance or a river flowing; because how else do they know how not to hit oncoming cars, trucks, people walking, people standing, animals, bicycles, motorcycles, houses and shops? Horn honking, lights flashing, weaving in and out, around and through any narrow space. It amazed me when we pulled around a big truck and pushed our way in front of it. The truck backed down and allowed us to inch ahead of it.  No road rage observed here!

As we passed small town after small town, I saw one big town and asked if it was Rajgir. The driver said yes, but as we turned towards Nalanda I thought to myself that this looked more like Bihar Sharif. Sure enough I had been all turned around. We did come from the direction of Bihar Sharif and my intuition had been correct.

Ever perceptive of the new changes to the village, I was also glad to see all the familiar sites. Back in my big guest house, I had finally made it!  Nalanda!