Himalayan Foothills (2)

Everyone should make plans right now to visit Darjeeling. This place is the most tolerable, friendly, clean, safe, and happy part of india I have seen yet! That is not to say it is the best, but it is certainly easier on the lungs, on the brain, on the patience, and on the nerves.

After the train ride, which was the compulsory 4 hours late, Nuphar, 2 british girls, and I took a jeep with a slew of crammed Indians. I didn't see a mountain in sight when we arrived, but suddenly we were going up up up... 3 hours later we were up 600 feet into the himalayas surrounded by twisty roads, sheer drops down soil steps filled with lush green tea leaves, with no speed limit except inspirational slogans encouraging one to slow down, enjoy life, etc. We were all a bit nauseous upon arrival, but feeling the first cool air (the first moments where we weren't completely sticky with pouring sweat), the first clean breaths, and the first sounds of naural forest life - that we'd had in weeks.

We were shocked to see such healthy glowing nepali and tibetan people, such european buildings, such healhy animals, clean beggar-free streets, and TASTY FOOD, not to mention great tea! We spent yesterday exploring the city, and found a gorgeous botanical garden without a single vendor, without even a donation box!

Through the trees and around every corner you are blessed with view of mountains, tea fields, colorful cities stacked on steep inclines, and, in the clear morning, the white tops of the most famous mountain peaks in the world.

Today we are going on a 3 to 5 day trek through villages and monastaries. I think it is the Sighalila trek or something like that...

And then I'm on my way home!