Hello beautiful mountains... how I've missed you.
Well, after my last post I must confess I was feeling quite sad on my birthday. I packed my bag, handed out things I didn't need to friends, handed out bannana bread I made to everyone, cleaned my room, and handed out birthday cake my friend had got me the night before. No one wished me happy birthday, and it didn't feel like my birthday. Regardless I was trying to stay in good spirits, and my wishful optimism was met with unexpected sadness. I just wanted to feel loved, but no one even came for lunch so I ate alone.
Suddenly in while cleaning my room, I received a knock on my door and Ronnie said I had a phone call. I put down to mop and ran into the other room. "Surprise!" Everyone was crowded around the dinner table and had a big chocolate cake with a candle on top. They were all smiling and singing happy birthday. I was so surprised and started crying! I felt so special and shocked. I didn't think everyone cared this much. It was such a nice surprise. Everyone laughed, goofed off, and ate birthday cake.
2 hours later I rode the metro with Thomas to Delhi, said good-bye, and went to Maj nu Tilla, to arrange guesthouse. I stopped at this really cute coffee shop called Mocca and got a coffee and enjoyed reading for awhile. I went back to Maj nu Tilla, bought a bus ticket for the next morning then took an auto to this really great market 10 minutes away. I went shopping a little, and just enjoyed being in the city on my birthday. I met to nice Indian guys who showed me this local place to get talli and we ate together. They got an auto for me and bargained it down for a good price. I went to bed exhausted and happy.
The next day I got up late, enjoyed walking in Maj nu Tilla which is an old Tibetan Colony in Delhi. I felt like I was on an ancient street in China. I went exploring, met some Tibetans and then... it started to rain. Oh my goodness, I have never seen so much rain in my life. I took an auto to go to the ATM, and in the time we left there was so much water on the street, the auto was floating. The man ended up pushing the auto like a boat, and we floated past children who were swimming in the street. It was really exciting as so fun being soaked! I gave to auto driver a tip for pushing me around town in the now river. None of the ATM's were working because it was raining so hard, the signal couldn't reach the satellite. I went back to the Tibetian Colony with 4 rupees, and a bus ticket to Dharamasala. For dinner I bought 2 bananas.
At the bus stand, I met this really nice Tibetan girl, and a backpacker from Taiwan. We boarded the bus, talked, slept, and woke up at 5am in Dharamasala. All of the guesthouses were full, and the girl who I met offered for me to stay with her family. The next 4 days we traveled in the city of Mcloud Gunj together, dancing in the monsoon, climbing up to a waterfall, fighting Indian men, going to the hospital, getting hot chocolate at little cafe's, eating sushi, and talking about our big dreams. Her name is Phubo and she has this huge passion to go to America to work and send back money to her family, and support herself. We have become great friends, and I have this strong calling to help her get to America.
Last night we walked down to the bus stand next to this small stone gothic church. My Taiwan friend Lee came with us to see me off. I then spent the next 10 hours dreaming of beautiful lilies, waking up one time to take a senic pee and talk to a red headed girl from Finland.
We arrived to in Manali at 5am this morning after a crazy bus ride. I went in an auto to upper Manali with these really sweet girls- one who has been living in Libia for the past 5 years, and a girl from Ireland. We walked through the quiet town with the sun just cresting these beautiful snow capped peaks, and birds singing next to this white water river. There was this guy praying at this temple outside, and immediately welcomed us to Manali. He took us to his Chai shop and made us hot chai which we savored in the cold air. These French guys came to join us and we talked- all exhausted from the ride up. I walked up the mountain a ways and found this small guesthouse with 3 rooms, where I'm staying now. Bamboo floor, mat, and windows with incredible views of the valley, and my snow playground for tomorrow. I showered in melted snow, and went down to the market for some porridge and more chai.
I then went on a short walk, talked with a Baba guru in orange cloth and dreads. He was really nice, and so soft spoken. I called mom, and talked with her for a little, then after met a Iraqi who found out I was American and wanted to discuss politics. I left him with one word- love. I got some water, talked with some more people then headed up for a 4 hour nap in the sunshine.
I awoke from my nap, and headed out for some dinner and met a Spanish speaking Indian which we had a brief conversation in my broken espanol. He and his brothers invited me for dinner in their house. I was really hesitant about going up, but he had a sister and his brother was married. His sister made us Vegetable Biriani, and served hot chai. He's actually a musician, and travels around Spain, France, and Italy for 6 months then comes back to India in the summer. We laughed until we cried, told jokes, and jammed singing Hindi, and Spanish songs. It was really fun.
I found an internet cafe and met a girl which we decided to hitchhike tomorrow to Leh. It's 18 hours and I don't feel like paying 25 dollars for another "delux" bus ride. She's from London, and half Indian and really cool. We are meeting tomorrow at 1pm and hopefully will have a safe journey. I'm stoaked.
Having so much fun, and picking up bits of wisdom from different people. I leave you with a quote from my Indian friend called Shampoo- "In India, we work like animals and enjoy like kings." He wants me to come back for drinks later, but every girl knows that drinks after 10pm with guys only means one thing. Booty call. I think for the sake of safety- I'll pass. :)
It's 500kilometers to Leh. If we can't get a ride, we've decided to walk.... Prayers, love, and hugs. Having the time of my life!
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