Attari, India

We didn’t go into Pakistan, but we got close enough to look over the border wall and peer into a Pakistani stadium. Why would there be a stadium directly on the border you ask? Well obviously because there is a massive and ridiculously flamboyant display of border guards on both sides competing to see who could kick their legs higher than the other while walking over to drop their country’s flag and close the border gate for the day. Whew! What started as a little fun between border guards has now transformed into what is deemed as a very exciting show – we imagine it would be similar to what you’d see if the British built a half circle cement bleacher grandstand around the changing of the guards ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace. There were crowds and crowds of Indian tourists all pushing and shoving each other to get a closer view of the 10 foot tall MC leading the crowd in patriotic chants.

Lucky for us someone has determined that it was better to secure a spot for the few foreigners that show up to the ceremony than serve them medical treatment after being trampled by the rowdy Indians. Thus the creation of what is called the VIP gallery!

We have to admit that we were more impressed with the crowd’s antics than the actual ceremony. We felt like we were at a sporting event with the chanting cheers and raising flags. To get the party started they played loud Hindi jams that enticed the women (including Robin) to run to the front for some dancing.