http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Asia , India , Himachal Pradesh , Dharamsala en-us Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:23:22 UTC Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:23:22 UTC The Himachal Road Transport Corporation bus from McLeod Ganj has shed the bulk of its load before it reached the interstate bus terminus at New Delhi. Most of our fellowtravellers had got down at the Tibetan Colony on the northern suburbs of the metropolis. The story of the hill town called McLeod Ganj is the story of these refugees who have earned the town the nickname of lsquoLittle Llasar http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-350627.html So at last I get to it it has taken a long time after months of joining this blogspot and having read hundereds of blogs I eventually convince myself to write one for myself too....so without further due here is an account of my last jaunt well it wasnt really supposed to be a jaunt it was a full on high gear trek to a mountain pass and some lakes but given the status quo we settled for a http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-350317.html Last week started off with a lecture from a Tibetan Lama on Monday. He explained the main philosophy of Buddhism and the ideas that the Dalai Lama teaches. He was extremely well spoken and had us captivated the entire time. I felt very lucky to be part of the audience and learned a lot in the short time that we had with him. On Tuesday afternoon we visited the Kangra Fort which was about a 20mi http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-344301.html Having met two favourable Australian chaps in Rishikesh who unannounced to myself were high on Valumn at the time and therefore quite agreeable it was decided that traveling North as a trio would be a particularly friendly idea having survived both the mighty Ganga River Ganges together on a floating vessel and the abuse and hassle of the local convenience store shafting us after a week of cus http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-343965.html On Thursday we signed up for a three day trek. We had heard from other volunteers that it was completely worth it so we thought it was an excellent way to spend our weekend. Friday afternoon we met up with our guides and hiked about 2 hours to a nearby temple. We got there just in time to see a beautiful sunset. The guides then made us chai and cooked us supper which was delicious while we sat http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-340857.html My sincere apologies to everyone who has been waiting to hear from me. Since I arrived in India things have been nonstop. Irsquove had no time to blog not to mention that itrsquos very difficult to connect to the rest of the world here. Sometimes internet and phone service works a lot of times it doesnrsquot. I've also been sick the last three days with a cold and Delhi belly. But my sch http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-339921.html Itrsquos hard to believe itrsquos been over a week since I last wrote. The time is certainly flying by. Sunday was our first day off from work. We had a group outing to a nearby Hindu temple. Anil the program director gave us a short explanation on what we were seeing. Unfortunately I was a little distracted taking pictures and watching the interesting characters walking around to remember w http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-339655.html Dharamsala is gorgeous. Although I did like Delhi I am very happy that I chose to volunteer here. It is very relaxing and tranquil here. The people are so nice and very friendly. I noticed today in the bazaar that CCS volunteers have made quite an impact on the community already. Many shopkeepers asked us if we were CCS volunteers and were happy when we said yes. If we say one Hindi phrase the l http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-337676.html Monday October 20 2008I have been here for two full days now and have seen so much and done so much. Irsquom taking as much as India in as possible and loving every bit of it. I have not experienced the angry mass of people the pungent odor or the dirtiness that people talk about. The program and staff have also been amazing so far. They are going above and beyond with every aspect. I contin http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-336906.html I've been in Dharamsala for nearly 2 weeks.The weather's been moody and in one day you experience at least 3 seasons.Obviously I prefer sunshine but sometimes just because of the rain you get to experience nice things you wouldn't have otherwise experienced. Today it was raining heavily in the late morningafternoon so we spent a few hours in a caferestaurant playing songs and singing along http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-334638.html Dharamasala is steeped in history and blesses by nature. Nestling in the Dhauladhar ranges of the Himachal Pradesh its one of the most important centres of Buddhism. For those in quest of a place for a peaceful time. Dharamasala can be a perfect retreat. Since it is the seat of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Governmentinexile the very presence of so many monks can have a calming effect on the http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-334071.html It's always this way with life changing events. Dreaming up a new idea making plans setting a date and telling everyone what you're doing. But then the fateful day actually arrives Instead of feeling joyful like you'd expect it's always somewhat surreal really today is the day thousands of people are coming to see my festival or today is the day I fly to India It's strange that this d http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-333816.html Arriving in Dharamsala was great especially after the humidity pollution and chaos of Delhi.I've been here just over a week and enjoying the beautiful scenery and tranquility.I started a healing and meditation course with an aging Indian master but I gave it up after 2 sessions as i didn't really get into it.Today I started a 4 day Reiki course with a lovely Israeli teacher. I figured it's a go http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-333273.html Well another day in Little TibetToday I took a taxi about a half hour down to the famous Norbulingka Insititute The ride was bumpy and through what seemed to be a neighborhood. South of Dharamsala in the foothills it is an incredible place aimed at preserving Tibetan culture and arts and crafts. There are the most highly skilled artisans doing metal work think Huge Buddha heads and pai http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-331810.html I can't believe it's already been a week in India I wish my time at work would go by as quickly Judging by how fast this last week has gone by it'll be no problem spending the next 5.5 months here without noticing.You haven't heard from me so far because I've been busy experiencing new things and meeting new people.Also I've been contemplating whether or not I should write this blog. Being http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-331063.html back in my favorite coffee shop after a weekend awaycaroline becca leigh sarah tenzin and i headed out of dharamsala early friday morning got in a taxi and took a beautiful 2 hour drive to the tibetan resettlement community of bir pronounced with a rolled r. it was a really nice drive other than some of us getting sick. i was really happy to get the chance to see some more of india to see http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-328502.html Dharamsala Part 2There is lots to do in such a small townYesterday I went hiking to an amazing waterfall with some new friends Etta and Peter who are from Prague Czech Republic. It was about an hours hike fairly easy but through dense forest and over lots of rocks and thru streams. Very peaceful and we were the only people there for at least an hour. After the hike I packed up my stuff a http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-327081.html another week in indiathis one has seemed to go by rather quickly. the routine of school helps with that considering we are in class all day five days a week. i am enjoying my monday off sitting in a cafe watching the rain coming down outside finishing a cup of gingerlemonhoney tea. i just bought a bunch of technoelectronic music on itunes and am definitely jamming over here in this dimly lit c http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-326251.html My first travels outside of DelhiI took the overnight train from Delhi to Pathankot a rail junction about 3 hrs from Dharamsala then had a car drive me the rest of the way. It was super bumpy and I was not feeling good so I laid down in the back of the car the whole way. We stopped in a small village called Rait Rait and while the driver and his friend had lunch i drank coca cola and took http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-325846.html McLeod Ganj Where we ditched our plans and spent a week escaping the hordes and breathing the fresh air of the Himalayas. We spent most of the time going for walks or hanging out in the 'Peace Cafe' chowing on peanut butter toast and washing it down with Chai. This is an important town for Tibetans it hosts their exiled government and is home to the Dalai Lama so there was plenty to keep us http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-324309.html i'm sitting in a cafe in india and they just played the backstreet boysi don't know who they are trying to cater to but if they knew anything they'd be playing nsync.... ha.so it's almost week 2 in india. though i am starting to feel more comfortable in my surroundings it definitely feels like i have been here longer. a week ago i moved in with the lobsang family. my amala mother pala father http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-323825.html dharamsala day...3after a 12 hour train ride a four hour jeep ride one hour spent stalled on the side of the road in an indian village waiting for women protesting against not being paid for 10 months to clear the streets we arrived in dharamsala a few days ago. our first meal that day was dinner at the momo cafe across the street from our hotel which is right in the middle of town. in the m http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-320857.html August 26 2008Hello from McLeodganjI am staying in a great place herehellipafter staying in a worse place for a night I scoped out the area and found a wonderful guesthouse with marble floors huge room very clean TV and very new. Itrsquos really inexpensive and I often calculate that if I shared expenses with someone this room would cost me 3 a night but since I am a single traveler http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-316480.html ARRIVE DHARMSALA AFTER DARK BATTERED BUT STILL KICKIN AND TAKE A SOLO CAB FOR AND ASTOUNDING 100 RUPEES CONSIDERING THE ENTIRE BUS RIDE FROM AMRITSAR IS 35 RUPEESTHE LAST 10 K UP THE MOUNTAIN IN THE DARK TO MCLEOD GANGH. GET LUCKY GET A ROOMSHARED BATH AT THE OM GUESTHOUSE THANKS TO A KIND DRIVER. I SHARE THE ROOM WITH A SPIDER BIG AS MY HAND MY UNINVITED HOUSE GUEST FOR THE DURATION OF MY S http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-311464.html So what do you do after you've successfully lived your dream of founding a nonprofit organization devoted to showing silent films I don't know either and that's why I'm heading to India The Search for a JobIt's really been a tough couple of years since I left The San Francisco Silent Film Festival. Numerous career books job counselors resume rewrites and interviews later I still haven't found http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-308079.html Yey so I've been here a couple of days now I'm not entirely sure how many though. I've lost track. I've met a very nice lady called Rough who's been traveling a lot in India and come back here loads of times so she showed me a bit around and we went up to the Tashita temple because she wanted to to the 5 day retreat course they are doing but decided not to because her divination told her it http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-305099.html I arrived in McLeod Ganj at about 6 am yesterday after an long and bumpy night driving from Delhi. Delhi was as it usually is awful I can't cope with that place. If it's all the people me being alone the heat or just me recovering from being on a plane for too long I don't know but something about it makes my brain stop functioning properly. I must say Douglas Adams wasn't making stuff up http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-303618.html Well after quite possibly the longest carjeep journey i have ever experienced we finally managed to reach Dharamsala. It has to be quite possibly one of the most dangerous journies i have ever been given the priviledge of doing. We were originially told it would be 12 hours from srinigar to Dharamsala. Well it turned out to be more like 16 hours by the time the drivers had had all o http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-299140.html More photographs http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-285896.html TUESDAY 10th June Well I'm on the Internet at last having waited for hours for that wife of mine to do her stuff I'lll be very quick as I can type faster than you Aye that'll be right. By the time she had come up to relieve me I'd done all the packing and everything Well you can believe that if you want toAlison developed a chesty cough 6 days ago. I advised her to start an antibiotic http://www.travelblog.org//Asia/India/Himachal-Pradesh/Dharamsala/blog-285893.html