Cousin's Wedding Lucknow to Faizabad - June 2018

Well, it was 2:30 PM and the sun was far less painful than it could've been on that day, thanks to the rainy season. The only problem was that I had no idea which direction should I go from the end of the Expressway. I wanted to avoid city traffic as much as possible if I am to go straight to Faizabad or I could stay in Lucknow for the evening and reach Faizabad tomorrow.

There was no need to hurry, and in retrospect I do feel I should've stayed. But then, few things happened...

First, I looked into the map for a hotel and couldn't locate a property close to my location. Second, I had to enter the city. And when a highway tourer enters a crowded city he/she suffers an undying itch to hit the highway again, the sooner the better.

So, my mind gradually and naturally tilted towards continuing the ride. Fortunately, although I had to venture into the city, there was not much traffic barring a few busy intersections.

Soon I was back to my confort zone, and before I realised, the patch was excellent green rainbow. The kind of green which comes about right during the monsoons. The state highway was cemented and smooth.

One thing, which is the speciality of roads in plains, was the road running almost level with the ground on the side. So, when you are passing through a mango orchard you feel like you are really passing through it, not above nor below.

And so I was lost again and didn't realise when the nice green dream came to an abrupt end with the peripheri of Faizabad city. The route wasn't long, but definitely scenic and more relaxing than a six hour sleep on a comfy bed.

It also, kind of felt like an old connection, as this was the place my father spent his childhood with my grandfather. I always had an affinity towards forest, greenary and farms, and this is the kind of place I had spent examining in my summer vacations.

Unfortunately, I was a day too early in Faizabad and given lack of good choices, decided to stay at the venue of cousine's marriage. It'd be 24 hours before the commotion begins.