Another relaxing night at Carpe Diem, chilling out pretty nice with Eleanor, Clare, Charlotte's, Matt and Eddie. Suddenly, a great noise from behind, a glass breaking. Ady had brought this Tibetan guy to the bar, with the condition they would leave early, as the Nepali's had warned him about the guy.
From nowhere appears one of the owners, this little guy always smiling, with no smile in his face, and smacks the Tibetans face twice. Not having enough, he decides to give him a good kick in the back. To this, Ady stands up for the guy claiming you can't hit someone when he is already in the floor. Meanwhile, the drunk Tibetan guy manages with help from other costumers to stand up, falling everytime he was left alone. Ady is on a strong discussion with the two owners while the other costumers get the Tibetan guy out of the place.
At this point, Ady has gained all the attention arguing about how they shouldn't hit people when they are on the floor. Though the owner had hit the drunkard on the back, Ady claimed it had been on the head. And so everything got even worse when Shambo, the musician got in the middle and threatened Ady with a knife he didn't even had. A notice must be said, that Ady was big enough to kick everyone asses in that bar, specially the Nepali guys who were specially small.
At the threat, Ady rage grew even more trying to take Shambo outside. The scare face of that Nepali was a poem. And obviously, everyone tried to avoid him going downstairs or Ady approaching him. At some point, some of the westerners joined into the discussion with no success in calming Ady down.
But the most hilarious part of the night was when this woman who, later on we knew, had been living in Mc Leod for ten years appeared from no where to calm everyone and settle the discussion once and for all.
At the end, we were all kicked out of the place, kindly of course, and so we all left, leaving Ady inside. It was pretty clear Ady had no intention whatsoever of starting a fight, but he was the only one in the bar who had stand up for the unnecessary violence. Besides, not only the westerners would not let Ady start a fight, but though he seemed pretty strong, and, actually, he is a big guy, there were at least 8 little Nepali guys working in that place.
At this point, I think I must make clear a couple of things. We are in India, and with such violence is how people are treated when doing something wrong. On the other hand, Ady had been acting as a prick all the week, and so, everyone thought he was one, and did not understood his point of view, and all the attitude about it.
To make the story short, finally we left to accompany Eleanor to her place, and in the floor, eyes wide opened we found the Tibetan guy. We tried to get him to his place, but no one knew where he lived, and to tell you the truth, fuck him! So we left him at some stairs, from which he stood up, and fall again, and there he stayed, at least for a while, because on our way back he was there no more.
Exciting night I must say, but I couldn't finish my beer!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Conversation classes
The Irish should have departed on a Sunday, but they didn't. So they decided to leave on Monday, but they didn't. This day, as I was going to met them at their place, I got distracted with what was going on right next to their hotel. As I was looking over the fence, this Swedish guy, Robert, approached me and explained everything about the conversation classes with Tibetan people, which I found interesting and decided to join and meet with the Irish later on. The story was to talk with a group of Tibetans, whose amount depended on the number of volunteers available, but it was usually from 3 to 5. You could talk about anything, the weather, the family, life, anything. Nevertheless, in my case, most of the days we always ended up talking about the Tibetan problem.
As you may all know, or not, Tibet was invaded by China in 1959, and the government, as well as monks, as the Dalai Lama, searched exile in India. Since then, they have been fighting with peaceful weapons to FREE TIBET. More of this, you'll find on the internet and history books.
Going back to conversation classes, you got the opportunity to talk with many different kind of Tibetans. From monks to very shy girls. Their level of English also varied, and so you had to search for conversations everyone would understand. Though you had constantly work on getting everyone to speak.
Learning about the Tibet situation, and how do they manage their lives has been very inspiring. Overall, their faces of gratitude after each hour class, from 17:30 to 18:30 was the most fulfilling. I got to do conversation classes from that first Monday till the end of week, Friday, not wanting to miss any day and regretting not starting doing this classes since I got to Mac Leod.
As I said, these 5 days were very inspiring. I lately claimed not to be a person done for volunteering with people, I did not search this on my travels through India and the world, but doing this has meant a deal of a change on this point of view. I even made a Tibetan friend with whom now I send emails. Unfortunately, she has had to go back to Tibet for reasons I don't know, and so her purpose for being in Dharamsala learning English has momentarily vanished. I hope for her all the best.
Just to leave you all with the thought before finishing this post, monks, and I would say many other Tibetans, have to walk during 40 to 50 days to get to India from Tibet as they are not allowed to have passports. They have to avoid guards as going in or out of the country, not to mention all other prohibitions they must have in their country.
Many movies have been done on this issue, the best known being "Seven years in Tibet", with well known Brad Pitt and the latest, probably "Dreaming Lhasa". But I would say none has or will have the impact needed so that the whole world stands up for a FREE TIBET.
As you may all know, or not, Tibet was invaded by China in 1959, and the government, as well as monks, as the Dalai Lama, searched exile in India. Since then, they have been fighting with peaceful weapons to FREE TIBET. More of this, you'll find on the internet and history books.
Going back to conversation classes, you got the opportunity to talk with many different kind of Tibetans. From monks to very shy girls. Their level of English also varied, and so you had to search for conversations everyone would understand. Though you had constantly work on getting everyone to speak.
Learning about the Tibet situation, and how do they manage their lives has been very inspiring. Overall, their faces of gratitude after each hour class, from 17:30 to 18:30 was the most fulfilling. I got to do conversation classes from that first Monday till the end of week, Friday, not wanting to miss any day and regretting not starting doing this classes since I got to Mac Leod.
As I said, these 5 days were very inspiring. I lately claimed not to be a person done for volunteering with people, I did not search this on my travels through India and the world, but doing this has meant a deal of a change on this point of view. I even made a Tibetan friend with whom now I send emails. Unfortunately, she has had to go back to Tibet for reasons I don't know, and so her purpose for being in Dharamsala learning English has momentarily vanished. I hope for her all the best.
Just to leave you all with the thought before finishing this post, monks, and I would say many other Tibetans, have to walk during 40 to 50 days to get to India from Tibet as they are not allowed to have passports. They have to avoid guards as going in or out of the country, not to mention all other prohibitions they must have in their country.
Many movies have been done on this issue, the best known being "Seven years in Tibet", with well known Brad Pitt and the latest, probably "Dreaming Lhasa". But I would say none has or will have the impact needed so that the whole world stands up for a FREE TIBET.
Carpe Diem
After my last post, I think a proper introduction to this place should be made. I talked about Carpe Diem before though, but now I'll introduce you to its everyday nights.
My last week meant spending all the nights in here. Beer, generally good food and good music are the most attractive qualities of this local. It's run by Nepali guys, some of whom might get a bit too permissive with girls. However, they are very friendly, always trying to remember your name and always remembering your face, ready to say hi and make your stay comfortable.
On Thursdays there was always a jam session where anyone could play. I got to see two of these sessions, and though Shambo and Rohan played most of the songs, sometimes foreigners joined. And here is were I'll talk about Allister. A brit guy that seem to be everywhere. He had this awful mohawk and explained this fantastic stories which no one believed. On his turn at the Jam session, and any time he had the opportunity to do so, he played this horrible song about killing a judge and raping his wife. Not to say he was out of place most of the times, I was lucky enough not to have to talk with him personally. Bad luck for the Irish, as he had asked them if he could travel with them to Manali, and Jamie, very carefully diverted the conversation into something else. However, there he was!
Again with Carpe Diem, the rest of the nights were basically spent around a fire on the rooftop listening to the same music again and again. I must say, I started to hate Coldplay and Bob Marley, the hits of the Nepali guys.
However, it was a good place to meet people and chill out for a while. If you were not interested in the music, you could just chill out in the cushions on the roof top.
My last week meant spending all the nights in here. Beer, generally good food and good music are the most attractive qualities of this local. It's run by Nepali guys, some of whom might get a bit too permissive with girls. However, they are very friendly, always trying to remember your name and always remembering your face, ready to say hi and make your stay comfortable.
On Thursdays there was always a jam session where anyone could play. I got to see two of these sessions, and though Shambo and Rohan played most of the songs, sometimes foreigners joined. And here is were I'll talk about Allister. A brit guy that seem to be everywhere. He had this awful mohawk and explained this fantastic stories which no one believed. On his turn at the Jam session, and any time he had the opportunity to do so, he played this horrible song about killing a judge and raping his wife. Not to say he was out of place most of the times, I was lucky enough not to have to talk with him personally. Bad luck for the Irish, as he had asked them if he could travel with them to Manali, and Jamie, very carefully diverted the conversation into something else. However, there he was!
Again with Carpe Diem, the rest of the nights were basically spent around a fire on the rooftop listening to the same music again and again. I must say, I started to hate Coldplay and Bob Marley, the hits of the Nepali guys.
However, it was a good place to meet people and chill out for a while. If you were not interested in the music, you could just chill out in the cushions on the roof top.
Irish Departure
On the third try, Jamie, Hugh and Carol managed to leave towards Manali for the harvest season. Surpringsingly, later I knew Allister also went there, though he'll be properly introduced later on.
So there I was again, left alone with a bunch of new people to get acquainted with. I'll start with Clare, a sweet kiwi girl I had met on the conversation classes, which I'll also talk about later. It was hard to understand her, and Frank and I used to make fun about it, as he is German and had as much difficulty on that subject as I did. However, she took it very well, and we had much fun together.
Matt and Gillian, brother and sister, are a couple of very nice brits traveling together for the first time, almost by chance. It was also very difficult to get everything Matt said, so I used to laugh or nod to what he said though I had no clue what it was he was talking about. As he said, he had a crap English, and I must agree on that. However we understood each other pretty well and hang around together along with Clare pretty often.
Eleanor turned out to be a very useful brit, as she got me the contact of ecotibet.org, an NGO from Tibet which I was supposed to meet, but at the end... "Welcome to India". At the end I send them an email, but have had no response whatsoever.
Eddie stayed at my hotel. He used to hang out with Nico and an Argentine couple until all 3 got into a meditation retreat for 5 days. That is, staying in confine without a word, a smile, a look, a smoke, or any kind of thoughts, as you're supposed to be meditating. So, complete silence. Going back to Eddie, I must say he is a very cool guy, with very good hash!
Bikers Ady and Phill were to hell of characters. Totally opposite to each other, Phill was a very peaceful guy with a sunburned funny face, always smiling, whereas Ady used to act as a total prick, though I must admit it was funny most of the times. However, I got to meet in the morning when he wasn't too stoned yet, and I must say he did seem like a nice guy. So I presume he was just acting and making fun about everything, though sometimes it could be seen as disgusting. But Ady has owns post for himself later on.
Charlotte, another London girl, who seemed to know everyone. You couldn't walk with her without constantly stopping to chat with this monk or this Indian fellow. She reminded me of someone, for some reason...
Other people were around as well, but I shall finish this intro with Charlotte (another one) and Dan. Charlotte, I had met her as well at the conversation classes, though she did not remember about that hours later. So we got to know each other, as it could not be in any other way, at Carpe Diem. I had hardly seen Dan as he got sick and spent most of his time in his room and used to go to bed very early, but they play an important on my traveling role later on.
So I managed to keep with good company after all, and once again I thank Debbie letting me out of her company.
So there I was again, left alone with a bunch of new people to get acquainted with. I'll start with Clare, a sweet kiwi girl I had met on the conversation classes, which I'll also talk about later. It was hard to understand her, and Frank and I used to make fun about it, as he is German and had as much difficulty on that subject as I did. However, she took it very well, and we had much fun together.
Matt and Gillian, brother and sister, are a couple of very nice brits traveling together for the first time, almost by chance. It was also very difficult to get everything Matt said, so I used to laugh or nod to what he said though I had no clue what it was he was talking about. As he said, he had a crap English, and I must agree on that. However we understood each other pretty well and hang around together along with Clare pretty often.
Eleanor turned out to be a very useful brit, as she got me the contact of ecotibet.org, an NGO from Tibet which I was supposed to meet, but at the end... "Welcome to India". At the end I send them an email, but have had no response whatsoever.
Eddie stayed at my hotel. He used to hang out with Nico and an Argentine couple until all 3 got into a meditation retreat for 5 days. That is, staying in confine without a word, a smile, a look, a smoke, or any kind of thoughts, as you're supposed to be meditating. So, complete silence. Going back to Eddie, I must say he is a very cool guy, with very good hash!
Bikers Ady and Phill were to hell of characters. Totally opposite to each other, Phill was a very peaceful guy with a sunburned funny face, always smiling, whereas Ady used to act as a total prick, though I must admit it was funny most of the times. However, I got to meet in the morning when he wasn't too stoned yet, and I must say he did seem like a nice guy. So I presume he was just acting and making fun about everything, though sometimes it could be seen as disgusting. But Ady has owns post for himself later on.
Charlotte, another London girl, who seemed to know everyone. You couldn't walk with her without constantly stopping to chat with this monk or this Indian fellow. She reminded me of someone, for some reason...
Other people were around as well, but I shall finish this intro with Charlotte (another one) and Dan. Charlotte, I had met her as well at the conversation classes, though she did not remember about that hours later. So we got to know each other, as it could not be in any other way, at Carpe Diem. I had hardly seen Dan as he got sick and spent most of his time in his room and used to go to bed very early, but they play an important on my traveling role later on.
So I managed to keep with good company after all, and once again I thank Debbie letting me out of her company.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Hindi
And I thought I had been loosing my time with those german classes back in Spain. It turns out that Hindi is very similar to german, at least in gramatics, phrase structure and it's simplicity. Yes, you decline, yes, you put the verbs at the end, and yes, it's not too complicated to make up the sentences together, as you don't use all the prepositions, and many words are included already, depending in how you declilne the verb, as for example, please.
My teacher, Surinder, former manager of a hotel nearby mine, makes it quite easy to get the hang of it pretty quickly. So it's not really difficult to makes sentences, apart from having to learn new words. Which at my age, it's not so amusing.
But the most entertaining of Hindi is writting in its symbols. Harder it is to read from them. There doesn't seem to be an exclusive way of writing.
Bad me milenge! (There should be a slash on top of the first A and a dot on top of the N at milenge)
My teacher, Surinder, former manager of a hotel nearby mine, makes it quite easy to get the hang of it pretty quickly. So it's not really difficult to makes sentences, apart from having to learn new words. Which at my age, it's not so amusing.
But the most entertaining of Hindi is writting in its symbols. Harder it is to read from them. There doesn't seem to be an exclusive way of writing.
Bad me milenge! (There should be a slash on top of the first A and a dot on top of the N at milenge)
Deceiving massage course
As I've said so many times, you can't always be too cheap. Yes, sometimes, being expensive, might end up being usefull. I rejected a 2500 Rs. Ayurvedic massage course cause I thought it was too expensive, as the rest costed about 2000 Rs.
The added problem of finding the places announced here in Mc Leod Ganj, made me consider getting the massage course at Synergy. There, the massage teacher, Pinky, would show me the secrets of an Ayurvedic massage, so popular here in India.
However, it turned out the first day, I had nobody to practice with. And they weren't very enthusiasthic to provide me with such an important part of the course. First of all, I should have asked, I entone here the "mea culpa", however, knowing that so many people travel alone in India, they should probably advise you on this matter. But let us not forget, I'm in India!
So I turned out with a provisional solution for my second class. In the first one, I got to practice with Pinky's feet, as she would not let me practice with her head or her shoulders. Understandable, notting, I'm in India! So Karol, an Irish girl travelling with Jammie and Hugh, offered herself to be my massage model for the next class. but that would only be for the next class, as they intendet to depart in the following days. Got to practice head and shoulders and legs.
And next, I qoute Pinky's words: "Tomorrow is your free day, I'll see you the day after tomorrow at 11 a.m.". Note that tomorrow was the Diwali festival, so it seemed reasonable they would not open.
It would have seemed I was lucky, as Karol was still around on the stated date, though to my surprise and hers, the center was closed.
I hadn't been very happy with the second class anyway, as Pinky wasn't very helpfull, nor intented to be much, so I decided I would not waste more money on this for the time being, and so I stated this to her when she called me this morning to notify me that she was waitting for me for the course.
So that has probably been the most useless 1000 Rs I've wasted in India so far. Let me hope for being more brighter in making questions the next time.
Always something to learn from your mistakes...
The added problem of finding the places announced here in Mc Leod Ganj, made me consider getting the massage course at Synergy. There, the massage teacher, Pinky, would show me the secrets of an Ayurvedic massage, so popular here in India.
However, it turned out the first day, I had nobody to practice with. And they weren't very enthusiasthic to provide me with such an important part of the course. First of all, I should have asked, I entone here the "mea culpa", however, knowing that so many people travel alone in India, they should probably advise you on this matter. But let us not forget, I'm in India!
So I turned out with a provisional solution for my second class. In the first one, I got to practice with Pinky's feet, as she would not let me practice with her head or her shoulders. Understandable, notting, I'm in India! So Karol, an Irish girl travelling with Jammie and Hugh, offered herself to be my massage model for the next class. but that would only be for the next class, as they intendet to depart in the following days. Got to practice head and shoulders and legs.
And next, I qoute Pinky's words: "Tomorrow is your free day, I'll see you the day after tomorrow at 11 a.m.". Note that tomorrow was the Diwali festival, so it seemed reasonable they would not open.
It would have seemed I was lucky, as Karol was still around on the stated date, though to my surprise and hers, the center was closed.
I hadn't been very happy with the second class anyway, as Pinky wasn't very helpfull, nor intented to be much, so I decided I would not waste more money on this for the time being, and so I stated this to her when she called me this morning to notify me that she was waitting for me for the course.
So that has probably been the most useless 1000 Rs I've wasted in India so far. Let me hope for being more brighter in making questions the next time.
Always something to learn from your mistakes...
Friday, November 9, 2007
Teachings and Diwali
So today is a day full of things going on in Mc Leod Ganj. Not only the Dalai Lama is giving teachings, but it's the Diwali festival, supposedly the most glamorous festival in India. Info is though, that here in Mc Leod Ganj is not that nice. People just get drunk and throw firecrackers.
About the teachings, they run til sunday I think, when the Dalai Lama blesses those who go there. I'm not going neither to the teachings nor the blessing. And I must state here my total dissapointment with His Holiness receiving the golden medal of the US Congress. Well, I must clarify myself. I don't mean he doesn't deserve it, he obviously has done his best for the Freedom of Tibet, but isn't accepting a reward from a country that promotes war in the name of oil and other natural resources a bit hypocritical? And besides, such a wise man should know it's in the US best interested to maintain the tension with China, specially now that they are going to have to deal with the olimpics. And besides, if your final goal is to free Tibet, what's the point in challenging China by receiving such an award from the US? Or perhaps, His Holiness has forgotten what is his mission as the Dalai Lama? Let's not forget he is just a man carrying within himself a symbol for Buddhism. He is as Holy as his 13 predecessors, and he is known better than the rest because he has had to deal, in a very good way, so far, with exile. But I don't want to extend myself on this matter more than needed.
About the Diwali festival, it means Array of Lamps. Therefor, it's a festival of lights that symbolizes the victory of the righteous and the lifting of spiritual darkness. It represents therefor, the victory of good over evil.
I say, I'm in the wost part of India to see this festival, and most probably Rishikesh would be a great place to see it in all it's magnificence. But that will have to rest till some other time in the journey.
About the teachings, they run til sunday I think, when the Dalai Lama blesses those who go there. I'm not going neither to the teachings nor the blessing. And I must state here my total dissapointment with His Holiness receiving the golden medal of the US Congress. Well, I must clarify myself. I don't mean he doesn't deserve it, he obviously has done his best for the Freedom of Tibet, but isn't accepting a reward from a country that promotes war in the name of oil and other natural resources a bit hypocritical? And besides, such a wise man should know it's in the US best interested to maintain the tension with China, specially now that they are going to have to deal with the olimpics. And besides, if your final goal is to free Tibet, what's the point in challenging China by receiving such an award from the US? Or perhaps, His Holiness has forgotten what is his mission as the Dalai Lama? Let's not forget he is just a man carrying within himself a symbol for Buddhism. He is as Holy as his 13 predecessors, and he is known better than the rest because he has had to deal, in a very good way, so far, with exile. But I don't want to extend myself on this matter more than needed.
About the Diwali festival, it means Array of Lamps. Therefor, it's a festival of lights that symbolizes the victory of the righteous and the lifting of spiritual darkness. It represents therefor, the victory of good over evil.
I say, I'm in the wost part of India to see this festival, and most probably Rishikesh would be a great place to see it in all it's magnificence. But that will have to rest till some other time in the journey.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Plain toast
Plain toast and black tea without sugar, that's what I've been eating for the past two days. And yes, it's the best way to loose weight. I definately feel much thinner.
So everything started 3 nights ago when I woke up at something past 12 with an urgent sensation on throwing up. And shit did I throw up. I had to get up from bed at least three times to do so. The last time, the worst, as this brownish fluid came out hell knows from where!! I guess that must've been the bile.
The first time though, was even worse. I didn't get in time to the toilet so all the bathroom floor was a total mess, and so were my pants and feet. So after uncomfortably throwing up, I had to clean all the bathroom with cold water. As it wasn't cold enough in the room. (To remind you all, I'm at about 1900 meters of altitude and there are no heaters in the rooms.)
I had to miss my hindi class the following day, and had to make the effort to go till the massage course to ask if I could start the next day as their phones didn't seem to work.
So though my stomach is still painful from all the throwing up, and still not in a great mood for big stuff food, I'm still controlling what I eat, but definately giving it more and more everyday.
I'm so fucking hungry!!
So everything started 3 nights ago when I woke up at something past 12 with an urgent sensation on throwing up. And shit did I throw up. I had to get up from bed at least three times to do so. The last time, the worst, as this brownish fluid came out hell knows from where!! I guess that must've been the bile.
The first time though, was even worse. I didn't get in time to the toilet so all the bathroom floor was a total mess, and so were my pants and feet. So after uncomfortably throwing up, I had to clean all the bathroom with cold water. As it wasn't cold enough in the room. (To remind you all, I'm at about 1900 meters of altitude and there are no heaters in the rooms.)
I had to miss my hindi class the following day, and had to make the effort to go till the massage course to ask if I could start the next day as their phones didn't seem to work.
So though my stomach is still painful from all the throwing up, and still not in a great mood for big stuff food, I'm still controlling what I eat, but definately giving it more and more everyday.
I'm so fucking hungry!!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
His Holiness, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, the 14th Dalai Lama
13 hours: We get to this little cafe in the Temple Road to wait for his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who was comming back home.
14 hours: Had some drinks and biscuits and we got very good seats next to the road. But boredom and buddhist monks were taking us from from our priviledged spot little by little.
Nothing to do but make pictures and pictures of the people around, the monks all lined up with their red and orange tunics, and incense everywhere purifying the atmosphere, so we decided to go for another tea, when suddenly everyone stands up and an intense excitement fills the streets invading us all.
False alarm.
16 hours: Everyone gets ready. the smell of incense is stronger than ever fullfilling our nostrils till saturation. More pictures, this time about monks with their hats on. However, still more waiting, every minute it passed getting more impatient, not to see Him, but to get out of there.
Everyone, camera on hand, ready, fingers trembling to get the shot in that precise moment when the Dalai Lama would appear. You could hear the committee of expensive jeeps aproaching. And in a sudden, he appears, smile in his face, hands opened...What the fuck!!! Only with a polarizer on your camera would you be able to get a decent picture of him.
But we saw Him, everyone did, everyone was happy, they got to worship his holiness, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, the 14th Dalai Lama.
14 hours: Had some drinks and biscuits and we got very good seats next to the road. But boredom and buddhist monks were taking us from from our priviledged spot little by little.
Nothing to do but make pictures and pictures of the people around, the monks all lined up with their red and orange tunics, and incense everywhere purifying the atmosphere, so we decided to go for another tea, when suddenly everyone stands up and an intense excitement fills the streets invading us all.
False alarm.
16 hours: Everyone gets ready. the smell of incense is stronger than ever fullfilling our nostrils till saturation. More pictures, this time about monks with their hats on. However, still more waiting, every minute it passed getting more impatient, not to see Him, but to get out of there.
Everyone, camera on hand, ready, fingers trembling to get the shot in that precise moment when the Dalai Lama would appear. You could hear the committee of expensive jeeps aproaching. And in a sudden, he appears, smile in his face, hands opened...What the fuck!!! Only with a polarizer on your camera would you be able to get a decent picture of him.
But we saw Him, everyone did, everyone was happy, they got to worship his holiness, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, the 14th Dalai Lama.
Personal thoughts III
India surprises you in all kind of ways. By it's pushy people trying to rip you off, by the different kind of people you keep on encountering, by the so many kind of tourism you can practice, by it's food, by it's sights, by everything...
However, I'm starting to get the hang out of India, or that's what I think.
Travelling and seeing places doesn't seem as important now. Once I got my thoughts together, I realized I wasn't going to be seeing it all. It looks more interesting to stay in places for some time, meet people, foreigners, indians, nepalies, whatsoever. Learn things as their language, their music, anything that takes you a bit closer to their culture. Consequently, getting to know the country a littble bit better.
I started my trip thinking what the fuck was I doing in India, now, I'm already thinking in comming back.
However, I'm starting to get the hang out of India, or that's what I think.
Travelling and seeing places doesn't seem as important now. Once I got my thoughts together, I realized I wasn't going to be seeing it all. It looks more interesting to stay in places for some time, meet people, foreigners, indians, nepalies, whatsoever. Learn things as their language, their music, anything that takes you a bit closer to their culture. Consequently, getting to know the country a littble bit better.
I started my trip thinking what the fuck was I doing in India, now, I'm already thinking in comming back.
Mc Leod Ganj
Home of the 14th Dalai Lama, it's full of tibetans, buddhists, nepalies, indians and tourist from around the world. A drawn Shiva in a lesbian encounter on a wall of a bar with Nepali guys playing Radiohead gives a vague idea of where you are, as it doesn't seem to correlate correctly with buddhist lifestyle.
Got at Dharamsala, town south of Mc Leod Ganj, at 5:30 am, amazingly, 2 hours ahead of the supposed schedule. That was really annoying as there was no transport to Mc Leod until 7:30 am. While at the canteen we met a french woman who told us about a jeep, that would cost the same as the bus and would take us to Mc Leod, departing at 6:30 am. Anyway, I'm seriously thinking on not travelling on a night bus again. With such bad roads, it's just impossible to sleep. However, Indians seem to make it.
After some sleeping in the Mount View Hotel, we headed towards Bhagsu, a small place full of guest houses and places to drink and eat. Nearby though, there's a waterfall, were people go to do some washing, read, and rest. There we met Hugh and Jammie, two irish guys who turned out to be very fun, though sometimes you just can't understand what the fuck they're saying as they speak so fast!
A Buddhist temple, the Dal lake or going to Triump are other possible choices to entertain yourself in the city, as as in Rishikesh, there isn't much to do, other than doing yoga, or a very wide choice of courses, from learning Hindi to breakdancing. Otherwise, you can go on a trek, but I've had enough of that for the moment being.
Got at Dharamsala, town south of Mc Leod Ganj, at 5:30 am, amazingly, 2 hours ahead of the supposed schedule. That was really annoying as there was no transport to Mc Leod until 7:30 am. While at the canteen we met a french woman who told us about a jeep, that would cost the same as the bus and would take us to Mc Leod, departing at 6:30 am. Anyway, I'm seriously thinking on not travelling on a night bus again. With such bad roads, it's just impossible to sleep. However, Indians seem to make it.
After some sleeping in the Mount View Hotel, we headed towards Bhagsu, a small place full of guest houses and places to drink and eat. Nearby though, there's a waterfall, were people go to do some washing, read, and rest. There we met Hugh and Jammie, two irish guys who turned out to be very fun, though sometimes you just can't understand what the fuck they're saying as they speak so fast!
A Buddhist temple, the Dal lake or going to Triump are other possible choices to entertain yourself in the city, as as in Rishikesh, there isn't much to do, other than doing yoga, or a very wide choice of courses, from learning Hindi to breakdancing. Otherwise, you can go on a trek, but I've had enough of that for the moment being.
Changing partner
Surrounded with so many people and no place where to hide, except her room, Debbie was growing uncomfortable and uncomfortable everyday. She said she wanted to travel alone and do her way, so I had to think on something. We were both heading to Dharamsala, but I didn't want to bother her any more by travelling with her, so I didn't know what to do.
Fortunately, Anat, an israeli girl who was travelling on herself wanted to go to the same place, but she had to go to Shimla first. That meant a lot of travelling, as it was to go backwards, whereas from Tattapani there was a bus that gets you to Mandi and there you could get a bus to Dharamsala. I didn't know what to do, so I hadn't even asked for bus schedules. So the day I was planning to leave, one way or other, everything came easy, the bus to Mandi had left at 6:30 am, so the obvious option to follow was to go to Shimla and there get a night bus to Dharamsala.
And so, I left Debbie in Tattapani with the israeli people, and started a new trip with a different partner, Anat.
Fortunately, Anat, an israeli girl who was travelling on herself wanted to go to the same place, but she had to go to Shimla first. That meant a lot of travelling, as it was to go backwards, whereas from Tattapani there was a bus that gets you to Mandi and there you could get a bus to Dharamsala. I didn't know what to do, so I hadn't even asked for bus schedules. So the day I was planning to leave, one way or other, everything came easy, the bus to Mandi had left at 6:30 am, so the obvious option to follow was to go to Shimla and there get a night bus to Dharamsala.
And so, I left Debbie in Tattapani with the israeli people, and started a new trip with a different partner, Anat.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Tattapani
Small town north of Shimla, you can a get nice place next to the river Sutlej. Hot water springs come out from it's banks, offering a great time in the evening when it starts getting cold.
To our surprise, after the most uncomfortable bus trip I've ever been, we seemed a can of sardines, we got to meet a bunch of people from Israel at the guest house we decided to stay at. Surpringsingly, they were very opened as most of them tend to be very close to their people and do not mix much with foreigners from other countries.
In Tattapani the relationship with Debbie wasn't at it's best point, and the worst is that I don't even know why. And it kept getting bad and bad as the following day passed. Moment I decided we should have a talk, which ended in separating our ways, though we were both heading to the same direction.
Apart from this, Tattapani reminded me of Rishikesh, in the sense of tranquility and peace you get there. And probably because there isn't much to do there anyway, other than going to the Shiva cave. A place where Indians worship an stalagmite as if it where Shiva itself. However, there is a river next to it where you can get a peaceful bath in its waters.
To our surprise, after the most uncomfortable bus trip I've ever been, we seemed a can of sardines, we got to meet a bunch of people from Israel at the guest house we decided to stay at. Surpringsingly, they were very opened as most of them tend to be very close to their people and do not mix much with foreigners from other countries.
In Tattapani the relationship with Debbie wasn't at it's best point, and the worst is that I don't even know why. And it kept getting bad and bad as the following day passed. Moment I decided we should have a talk, which ended in separating our ways, though we were both heading to the same direction.
Apart from this, Tattapani reminded me of Rishikesh, in the sense of tranquility and peace you get there. And probably because there isn't much to do there anyway, other than going to the Shiva cave. A place where Indians worship an stalagmite as if it where Shiva itself. However, there is a river next to it where you can get a peaceful bath in its waters.
The Honeymooners city
Indian tourist place for excellence. People from everywhere of India, and few foreigners. However, meeting them doesn't seem to please them.
Addidas, Reebok, Domino's pizza and others are the gem of 'The Mall', main street where everything is very expensive.
A city situated in a mountain at more than 2000 meters of altitude, there are constants steep up and downs, which can be very breathtaking. Views are OK, but you wouldn't die for them either.
Two main things to do in Shimla, one, take a look at the agressive monkey populated Jakhoo Temple. Dedicated to Lord Hannuman, it makes a lot of sense having so many monkeys in it's surroundings. Says the legend that Hannuman stopped in this place to rest while looking for some medicine loosing a sandal on its way.
You can also look for 'The Glenn', however, if you find it, tell me about it, cause after a two hour walk there was no way to get an exact direction of where it was. And definately do not relay on indians maps.
Addidas, Reebok, Domino's pizza and others are the gem of 'The Mall', main street where everything is very expensive.
A city situated in a mountain at more than 2000 meters of altitude, there are constants steep up and downs, which can be very breathtaking. Views are OK, but you wouldn't die for them either.
Two main things to do in Shimla, one, take a look at the agressive monkey populated Jakhoo Temple. Dedicated to Lord Hannuman, it makes a lot of sense having so many monkeys in it's surroundings. Says the legend that Hannuman stopped in this place to rest while looking for some medicine loosing a sandal on its way.
You can also look for 'The Glenn', however, if you find it, tell me about it, cause after a two hour walk there was no way to get an exact direction of where it was. And definately do not relay on indians maps.
Mussoorie or Shimla
Before heading towards Shimla with Debbie a great dilema sounded in my ears. Stick to beer and joints withthe gang from Rishikesh at Mussoorie or go with strange Debbie to Shimla. Beers and joints seemed a good idea, specially spending so much time in the Holy City of Rishikesh, with no alcohol, but I thought I could stick to that later on at Goa. So I went for Shimla, as it was one of the choices I had rejected on a first basis before meeting all this people.
But was going with Debbie a good idea??
I had spend some time with her alerady, and wasn't sure if we would get along well enough. She looked very willing to experiment and learn and help and be part of India, but in an innocent way I thought. A combination that might not let you see beyond reality sometimes. So whenever that happens, she gets uncomfortable, mad, untreatable, or at least difficult to do so.
My case is totally different, I lack her innocence, I trust noone and expect always a scam or other. I live on a world based on hard times, were I care first for myself, and then probably for the rest.
We are definately not the best travelling companions, but we might help each other with what we are missing.
But was going with Debbie a good idea??
I had spend some time with her alerady, and wasn't sure if we would get along well enough. She looked very willing to experiment and learn and help and be part of India, but in an innocent way I thought. A combination that might not let you see beyond reality sometimes. So whenever that happens, she gets uncomfortable, mad, untreatable, or at least difficult to do so.
My case is totally different, I lack her innocence, I trust noone and expect always a scam or other. I live on a world based on hard times, were I care first for myself, and then probably for the rest.
We are definately not the best travelling companions, but we might help each other with what we are missing.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Neverending hours in Haridwar
Tried the Kashmiri dunaloo at the Big Ben restaurant as the lonely planet suggested, and it was a strange sweet-salty-very chilli combination. Not bad, but not the best indian plate I've tasted. Trying to hang out in there waiting for our bus to Shimla, but it seemed mission impossible. Debbie and I were kicked out at 17 hours with no place to stay at crazy Haridwar.
While still at the restaurant, getting my way to know the time for the next bus to Shimla would have been an odyssey if I weren't expecting it. Asked three times for the Tourist Information Office, once there, though it was opened, it was their holiday. But I finally found the info needed in the bus station, unthinkable.
It turned out that the bus was leaving at 22 hours so we had some time to waste somewhere. After some walking we got to this tiny little place with 2 miserable computers that saved our time being spend in the bus station with nothing to do. However, 3 hours in front of the computer didn't seem the best idea either, but that's what happened.
Finally in the bus station, a bus was leaving at 21 hours, so why not get it, and get the hell out of there!!!!
While still at the restaurant, getting my way to know the time for the next bus to Shimla would have been an odyssey if I weren't expecting it. Asked three times for the Tourist Information Office, once there, though it was opened, it was their holiday. But I finally found the info needed in the bus station, unthinkable.
It turned out that the bus was leaving at 22 hours so we had some time to waste somewhere. After some walking we got to this tiny little place with 2 miserable computers that saved our time being spend in the bus station with nothing to do. However, 3 hours in front of the computer didn't seem the best idea either, but that's what happened.
Finally in the bus station, a bus was leaving at 21 hours, so why not get it, and get the hell out of there!!!!
Until the next time Rishikesh
A warmth sad feeling overcame us all in the bus towards Haridwar. Heading there with Debbie and Janin, we left nice people back in the guest house and some others going to Mussoorie. Like leaving behind a newly created family of friends. Red Chilli people, everyone from the guest house, all was left behind as if it were just a dream. Suddenly you wake up and it's all gone, the good times, the bad times, the ackward times, everything, and you look forward to what has yet to come.
Rishikesh, I'll be back!
Rishikesh, I'll be back!
Yoga class
Stretch, stretch, stretch....
Oooommmmmmmmmmm.....
Stretch, stretch, stretch......
Meditation, Om chanting, stretching, exercises (leopard position, cobra position, bla bla bla position, two many positions in a row to remember), tired, more stretching, relaxation.
More or less, that was how the Yoga class went. I must admit it was good, you do feel much better at the end, very relaxed, but still, being the first day, I was peaking all the time to Debbie that was at my side checking out how the positions were. And always mixing up with the right and the left!!! What a mess!
So 100 ruppies used on a yoga class that would get a pretty good back ache the next day, well it wasn't a back ache, it was only sour from the exercising. Thought it would be stronger from the trekking...
Anyway, I must add that some positions weren't very good for my knees, so I decided not to go again.
That's all the yoga for me in India, at least for the time being.
Oooommmmmmmmmmm.....
Stretch, stretch, stretch......
Meditation, Om chanting, stretching, exercises (leopard position, cobra position, bla bla bla position, two many positions in a row to remember), tired, more stretching, relaxation.
More or less, that was how the Yoga class went. I must admit it was good, you do feel much better at the end, very relaxed, but still, being the first day, I was peaking all the time to Debbie that was at my side checking out how the positions were. And always mixing up with the right and the left!!! What a mess!
So 100 ruppies used on a yoga class that would get a pretty good back ache the next day, well it wasn't a back ache, it was only sour from the exercising. Thought it would be stronger from the trekking...
Anyway, I must add that some positions weren't very good for my knees, so I decided not to go again.
That's all the yoga for me in India, at least for the time being.
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