Avantika Bhuyan
Pune, January 13: Englishwoman Linda Bootherstone fell in love with motorbikes when she was a teen and even joined a local bikers' club. That love made the 60-year-old woman, who lives in Spain now, embark upon a world tour a few months ago.
Astride her Suzuki 650 cc bike, Bootherstone has traversed the terrains of Germany, France, Slovakia, several East European countries, Iran, Turkey and even Pakistan before coming to India. She reached Pune on Tuesday and is on her way to Goa from Aurangabad.
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''Each Asian country has a flavour of its own,'' says Linda, adding,''I feel very safe in India." This, despite the fact that she was robbed of half her belongings in Jodhpur.
Surprisingly, in India, the traffic conditions don't bother her. "I've got used to it. The traffic in Iran was much more frightening, it was just so fast," she explains.
Otherwise, she says, her trip has had special moments. She spent time with her nephew in Rishikesh and celebrated her birthday in Mussoorie. "The Ajanta and Ellora caves were incredible,'' says the multi-faceted lady who also sings and writes songs. "I have taped live music throughout my trip and have something from Iran and Pushkar."
Bootherstone has been staying alone in Spain for the past 12 years. "If I am upset, I have only myself to talk to. That's why I learnt yoga in Rishikesh, so that I can be physically fit and at peace," says the lady who also declares India has the most interesting cuisine.
She was in Pakistan when the earthquake struck. ''It was a traumatic experience. I wasn't worried for myself, as I was safe in a tent. There were others running helter-skelter looking for shelter," she says. As for the most scenic images she will carry back are those of Karakoram Highway and North Pakistan.
Bootherstone has been camping around and staying in low-cost hotels and dharamshalas to save money to go to Australia, which will mark the end of this trip. As for the next one, South America is on her mind.
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=165470
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