Blogs from Parvati Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India, Asia

If I had to describe my last couple weeks the first word I would use is wet. The monsoon has been in full swing since I've come back from Ladakh, and the mountain state of Himachal Pradesh is experiencing its hardest monsoon in over 50 years. While it doesn't rain all the time, in many places the clouds never lift and nothing dries out between showers. I spent my last couple weeks in the Himalaya in the Kullu and Parvati valleys staying in several towns and villages before deciding to head back down to the plains. From Manali I left to Kasol, a backpacker enclave that was almost entirely full of stoned Israeli travelers. After a night there I was more than ready to head further up the valley, this time to the village of Kalga. ... read more

I wana be the gods silver blessings and touch gods endearing parvati valley .... it would feel like being the messenger between gods creations....... i wana to bring equality between clouds and the dry earth if not equality among the humans. ..the dark clouds or should i call them overloaded people whos got a lot to share for the people who are dried up in starvation ........ i want to be welcomed with loud noise like the thunder ...bcoz i am the communicator ..i need to be heard ...the voice of thunder would reach the parched ground before i kiss it ...probably the sme way wen i kissed the person who has been a great listener to my voice . ..i would like to feel the same again ..... i want to be the one to ... read more

Last catch-up detailed our adventures in Manali. What I forgot to include was the reason no blogging occured: we lost power our last day in Manali, for the entire day. In fact, the power outtage extended along the Beas River, to our next destination, one hour south by public bus: Naggar. Previously, our methods of transport were private overnight buses. While a bit rough on the bum (and they do not deserve the name "sleeper bus"), they coddle foreigners in that our luggage is nicely stowed in the trunk and we have reserved seats. Public buses are a whole other experience. First, the departure time is a suggestion. Secondly, Indian grandmothers have already saved the good seats for their families. And thirdly, if we are lucky, we can tie our backpacks to the roof. Otherwise we ... read more

so let me start the story like this. the parbati valley really exists in some alternate reality/universe. I think you have to really come here to understand why but let me explan a little before i go deeper into this 8 day adventure. This is a place where people come to lose there minds but find themselves, everyone is a drug dealer or can get you whatever you need (Even a 5 year old child), old men and fathers take an evening chillum while they play with there children, the average family income can reach almost 80,000 usd becuase of drug sales, nobody needs to carry a weapon even though they carry more drugs than a detroit crack house, an orthodox jew and a hindu sadhu can be seen walking down the street side by ... read more