NCERT Solutions For Class 11 English
Hornbill
Chapter 5 – Silk Road (Nick Middleton)
Summary
The main character desired to
undertake the kora at Mount Kailash and enlisted Tsetan as the driver for the
journey. As a parting gesture, Lhamo presented him with a long-sleeved
sheepskin coat. Daniel accompanied him until Darchen.
Commencing the journey, Tsetan opted
for a southwest shortcut, a direct path to Mount Kailash involving the crossing
of high mountain passes. Tsetan assured that the absence of snow wouldn't pose
any issues. Along the way, they encountered gazelles, a herd of wild asses, and
shepherds tending their flocks.
Upon reaching a hill, they passed
dark tents serving as homes for nomads, guarded by Tibetan mastiffs with
imposing jaws. These dogs chased their car as they neared the tents. Upon
entering the valley, they were greeted by snow-capped mountains, icy rivers,
and roads with sharper turns and bumps. Tsetan, navigating in third gear,
maneuvered through the challenging terrain. The protagonist, feeling ear
pressure, cleared congestion by holding his nose and snorting. At 5210 meters
above sea level, he checked his watch.
Encountering a snow-filled road,
Tsetan carefully drove by throwing dirt on the snow. The journey continued,
with the protagonist experiencing a headache, alleviated by sips of water. As
they ascended to 5515 meters above sea level, they encountered a hurdle — a
snow-covered road. Tsetan warned against smoking due to petrol expansion from
low atmospheric pressure.
Around 2 o'clock in the afternoon,
they halted for lunch, and the protagonist's headache had subsided. By late
afternoon, they reached the town of 'Hor' and rejoined the east-west highway,
an old route from Lhasa to Kashmir. Daniel left for Lhasa, while Tsetan fixed
car punctures. The protagonist waited at a local café, finding Hor to be a
dismal place. Later, Tsetan rejoined, and they resumed their journey.
At 10:30 pm, they lodged at a guest
house in Darchen. The protagonist fell ill due to altitude change and cold
weather, staying awake all night. The next morning, Tsetan took him to a
Tibetan medical college, where he received a five-day course of medicines from
a Tibetan doctor in a brown envelope. After a day of medication, he felt
better. Tsetan left, ensuring his health, while the protagonist remained in
Darchen.
Darchen, lacking pilgrims, had a general
store and a solitary café. Men gathered to play pool daily, and women washed
their hair in a narrow stream. In the absence of pilgrims, the protagonist met
Norbu in the café. Norbu, a Tibetan working in Beijing, had come to complete
the kora. Despite his difficulty walking due to his size, the protagonist
decided to embark on the pilgrimage with him. They hired yaks to carry their
luggage. However, Norbu jokingly declared his incapacity by collapsing across
the table, emphasizing his large tummy.
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