More from Day 27. The only place to cross from India into Pakistan, and vice versa, is about 45 minutes from Amritsar. Everyday at 4pm there is an extravagant ceremony, when the border is closed for the night. The energy on the Indian side was electric. The ceremony is obviously a point of pride. Loudspeakers played Punjabi music beforehand, obviously attempting to drown out creepy Pakistani music from the other side. Everyone on the Indian side was on their feet, dancing, clapping, and yelling, despite desperate attempts by soldiers to keep everyone seated. Before the ceremony starts, a bus drives through the gates filled with the last people to cross the border for the day. The ceremony itself involves dramatic marching on both sides. They lower both flags as the sun sets. It was incredible to see. A highlight of the trip!
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