Drunken Drivers and the Dalai Lama

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The trek

After an overnight train to Pathankot from Delhi and a 5 hour bus ride up to Mcleod Ganj I finally arrived at the Tibetan Refuge in the Himalayas.
I stayed at the HPTDC guest house dorms (real cheap)

The city: Mcleod Ganj is a backpacker's paradise with plenty of shops, eateries, travel companies, trekking companies, internet cafes, hotels, and plenty to do.
The ultimate advice:While in the city don't waste a moment's time, there is always plenty to do. Take a yoga or meditation class, volunteer with monks, watch a documentary on tibetan buddhism, taste the local cuisine, go to a sufi music concert and you could also learn hypnotherapy!
The adventure: After coming back late from a sufi concert I found out that my dorms were actually drivers' quarters! I returned to my room to find three drivers merrily having a drinking session in my room, they graciously offered me some booze and what ensued a few drinks later has to be one of the most bizarre/awkward nights of my life. The next morning I woke up early and heard that the Dalai lama was giving some lectures at the monastery, I spent the morning listening to his lectures (he's actually a pretty funny guy), I had experienced the extremes the city had to offer on my first day there!

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Photos

My Monks and I..
I volunteered to teach conversational english to the local monks, these monks fled Tibet at a very young age and have not seen their families since

A not so bright idea
This is what you get for 100 rupee dorms

Photo 4
these guys really hate the chinese, can you tell?

Photo 5
Mcleod Ganj is a collection of such streets.

Photo 6
no idea what he is thinking

Photo 7
A local market

Photo 8
found a perfect spot for introspection

After a strenuous trek
Finally the Dauladhar Range, well worth the 4 hour trek.