Well, here I am in Mcleod Ganj, India. Home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (HHDL) and the Tibet Government in Exile as well as a whole load of Tibetans.
The accommodation arranged for me in Manju ka Tilla, the Tibetan Colony in Delhi was almost as basic as Base Camp, though I had to share with cockroaches this time.
The bus ride from Delhi was delightful – not! Apparently it was a ‘deluxe’ coach. Well, that was their description, but it wasn’t anything like it. We left Delhi at 6.30pm and arrived at Mcleod at 7.30am – not a very good nights sleep at all.
I’m staying at the Green Hotel, which according to the Lonely Planet for India is “…a stalwart of the traveller scene, this popular choice has a good selection of rooms and a café that does great breakfasts.” The rooms are pretty basic – I’m in a standard with views that has two singles pushed together (usual at the cheaper hotels), coffee tables, two chairs, bedside, wardrobe and bathroom that’s an all-in-one affair i.e. no curtain for the shower and all tiled, so don’t wet the toilet paper!
The upside is that my room is above the café and gets the wireless signal from downstairs, so I can use Bruce in my room.
To be honest, I was disappointed in my room to begin with, but I’m not spending a great deal of time here, it’s got everything I need and I’m sleeping quite well, so when, yes when, I come back, I’ll probably stay here again. Oh, it’s only costing me $11 AUD per night, so I really can’t complain.
HHDL arrived back on Saturday at 4.00pm to a great crowd lining the streets. I was there and tried to get a photo, but his car was going a bit too fast for me to get a good shot. The good news is he is doing a public teaching on Friday. I’ve down to the security office to get my pass and I’ll be there. Can’t wait for that!
Also booked into cooking class next week to learn some Tibetan treats – look out for dinner parties at home!
Have been meeting some lovely people, from locals to foreigners. I must say, some of the Tibetan men are extremely attractive, so girls, if you’re after a husband, get on over here! Don’t worry though, I’m more than happy with the man I’ve got – and I miss him way, way more than I care to admit!
Mcleod is a small town, so I’ve been walking everywhere and know where things are, so I’m feeling like a local. It’s such a nice, friendly place.
Have booked a ticket on the overnight train from Pathnakot (10.20pm) to Delhi (7.20am) to get back and all I need to do now is book a hotel room for the day as I don’t leave until after midnight to get home.
The weather is glorious – t-shirt during the day and a light jacket at night. What more could I ask for?
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