Peace and Happiness high above the clouds

Ok, well it took us about 36 hours of some of the most uncomfortable and miserable traveling through scorchingly hot and remote Indian countryside in a train without air conditioning, sharing a small cabin made for 8 people that closely resembled a prison cell and packed with 20 people to get here, but wow, Darkeeling is AMAZING! In addition to the train we also had to take a 2+ hour jeep ride up the mountain to reach this small hill station, but definiltey not your average jeep ride -- imagaine this: an average 7 person jeep, jam packed with fifteen people and 5 more on the roof (2 people in the driver's seat!!) rocketing up a steep and trecherous mountain path barely wide enough for 2 cars, blasting Indian pop music, and holding on for dear life. A journey definitely not for the faint of heart or stomach.

But we survived, and are all the stronger from it. After finding a cozy place to stay in Darjeeling, Andy's Guest House, about $9 per night with spectacular views and such a nice and caring couple who own the place to tend to us, we are enjoying life here, sipping delicious Darjeeling tea and taking tranquil walks among the luscious green himalayan slopes. We are very happy here, high above the clouds, where the sun rises up behind the himalayas and the cool mountain air feels healthy and brings with it the smells of the surrounding tea plantations. The people are kind, calm, and peaceful, such a contrast to the hectic, grimy Delhi-life, where one must be constantly on the lookout for hustlers and scammers and pick-pockets. This afternoon we are planning on visiting the sacred Buddhist monasteries that can be found throughout the mountain top, and hopefully we will even get to see the original Tibetan Book of the Dead. Unfortunately, volunterring at the foundation here requires 2 weeks time, minimum, so we have to pass up on that opportunity. Nevertheless, we are happy here, and plan on staying for some time, before heading back west. Catch ya later,

NPW