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Published: December 3rd 2010
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Not really knowing what to do! Stay or leave Amritsar... Me having a enormes flu and Josh's stomach is against him we decided still to hit the road and go to Mcleod Ganj on an 7 hour bus ride!
Mcleod Ganj Mcleod Ganj is on a hight of 1770m so it's pretty cold during the night.. but really sunny during the day!
Mcleod Ganj is the headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile and the residence of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. There's a large Tibetan population in Mcleod Ganj so you don't really have the feeling your in India. The differnce is that people are friendly and not trying to rip you off! Everywhere you see monks with maroon robes.
On our way up here we met Kurt and Mariano who became our partners in crime for our time in Mcleod
Ganj.. The first days we did really nothing.. Just trying to get better and back on track again!
But after 3 days Mariano confinsed us to go on a little track to the neighbouring towns Bhagsu and Dharamkot. And even further to the holy Dal Lake (bit dissapointing, it's a dry lake! haha). But it
was a good exercise!
The next day we waited to meet up with our little american friend Ilene. Who was the reason we came all this way.. Not really cause the Dalai Lama was of course number 1!!!
But before the Dalai Lama's teachings, that started on the 30th of November till the 2nd of December, we where ready for another trek! A one day return trip, 9km one way, up to Triund (2900m). It goes through boulder fields and rhododendron forests. From the top you can see the snowy mountains!
It was tough, really tough. I (ariska) wanted to give up in the end! But Josh convinced me to keep going! And it was worth it!
Finally the time arrived that the teaching of the Dalai Lama started! It was a really amazing experience... All the tourist/backpackers had their litte fm radio's on them to listen to the translations. Cause of course it was in Tibetan.
We where all sitting on the square below the temple where the Dalai Lama was with the Russian Monks (that was the purpose of the teaching..... the Russian monks) and we followed his Holiness on a big flat screen tv! But
the moment we all waited for was when the Dalai Lama would walk down to his home! But hey, even he has a luxury car to drive him 200m from the temple to his home! But it was amazing to see him! He looked so lovely, friendly, happy. Waving from his front seat to everybody!
That was it for us! Cause the teachings where a bit to much, cause of our lack of knowledge about Buddhism. We are with both feet on the ground!! The rest of the crew kept going, but we organised our next destination!
On the 2nd of December we celebrated Ilene's B'day and also said goodbye to the crew! They all headed off direction Rishikesh... We where still in Mcleod Ganj till the 4th of December. Another early call, another long long train, back to the hecticness of India.. But Jodphur here we come!
ps. almost forgot to write down! Josh finally had his meat again! No steak, but he found his Tandoori Chicken.. Cheers Mariano!!
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anthony
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high very high
Excellent my friends very nice shoot... should be quiet there