McLeodganj October 27, 2011

McLeodganj

As I sit in my bed typing, I watch the sun rise over the mountains for the last time...my last time as I am leaving on the 7:45 pm overnight bus to New Delhi.  It's cold in my room this morning as winter edges its way into this small Tibetan village.  Of course, it's not really a Tibetan village, but appears so with all the traditional clothing worn here by the Tibetan population.  They are actually the richest community in exile in the world, mainly due to the popularity of H.H. the Dalai Lama and celebrities like Richard Gere who raise money for this group of refugees.

Yesterday was Diwali, somewhat like the Indian equivalent of Christmas, and the fireworks were non-stop and very loud last night.  I stood on my balcony and watched as they lit up the valley and mountainside.  The Hindu temple below me has been cleaned, painted, and decorated with lights for the occasion.  Now the morning is once again peaceful as the eagle hawks soar above the valley, at times coming very close to my windows and revealing their emormous size.
I have a long list to complete today; make a few purchases, pay the people who didn't have change and said, "pay me later", have my package for home packed and mailed, etc.  I bought a dozen Pashmina scarves to sell that are stunning - as you turn them over the color changes - and so very soft, unlike what you get in the states labeled "Pashmina" that are actually synthetic.  The goats in the Himalaya gave up their belly fur for these scarves!

Although the Taj Mahal was calling my name, and I will go there later, I have decided to go to the Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan.  Every year around 200,000 people converge there (the population is only about 15,000),  bringing with them some 50,000 camels, horses and cattle.  It's bizarre as musicians, snake charmers, children balancing on poles, etc. jostle into life. Even the tourist board's cultural program is bizarre: turban tying and mustache contests, or seeing how many people can balance on a camel.  It's a grand epic, and not to be missed if you are anywhere within camel-spitting distance.  I think it will be a nice change from peaceful McLeodganj.

I bought a new book yesterday, The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, which has been recommended by several people.  It is set in India and should make a good read for this part of my trip.  Well, I just ran a bucket of hot water as I don't trust it to last through a shower (I got covered with soap and it quit on me yesterday), so I guess I better get my day started.  I want to get this blog posted before I leave today; one more task for my list!