Right now I am sitting waiting for my bus to Bhuntar. From there, supposedly are hotsprings that can boil rice, and beautiful hiks in the Parvati Valley. The ride to the bus stand was great. Dharamsala is actually 5 km from Mcleod Ganj, where the life of the town is. Walking downhill and munching on a sandwich I realized I wouldnt make it to the bus on time. So I flagged down a young looking guy on a scooter. He was out of petrol and couldnt stop if on a flat, but luckily we were on the downhill. Cruising back and forth across the hillside, the huge orange red sun was setting. Rajiv - the guy - said this is why they call it the land of the gods - Jaanat - hindi for heaven.
It was an old scoooter from 95 and it stalled in a passing town where the ground was flat. In restarting the motor and kicking the start, the engine exploded with force and sent the scoooter zooming foreward on a wheelie. Luckily, we survived. But everyone in the street thought we were goners.
Mcleod Ganj was amazing. Less touristy than Manali, the hillside community of Bhagsu offered much more community, and I got to know a handful of people, two guys in particular. Rory was a scottish mate, and him and his band are all traveling separately around India, and then meeting up and writing. He was going to Java in a few weeks, but was using Bhagsu to recharge his batteries. Owen is from Ireland, and was spending a half year in India. Owen I sat next to on the bus from Manali to Dsala, and I originally despised the guy because he was so big. But both of em were lovable, and could drink me under the table. and did.
Bus is really shaky and hot. Im close to the back door, which doesnt close, so its got a breeze. We just went over a huge bump, and I must have been lifted off the seat a foot. And now a woman behind me is gagging and puking out the window. Whoo. I love India.
1 comment:
July 17 stories made me laugh out loud!
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