On Monday my friend from Chile, Paula, and I decided to go for a walk uphill to a local waterfall overlooking the town of McLeodganj. On our way a Tibetan man started talking to us and without us realising he became our guide. He took us to a natural swimming pool underneath the waterfall and we were dying to go in because it was really hot but it's extremely offensive and inappropriate for women to swim in India unless fully clothed! Ahhh it's all fine for the Indian men who were stripping down to their see-through underwear and having a whale of a time whilst the women gingerly lifted up the bottom of their saris for a paddle taking care not to show too much ankle!
Our 'guide' then took us to a few temples and he was so lovely that we decided to pay him a small amount despite us not ever asking for his help or agreeing to any guidance. It turned out that being what we called a 'surprise guide' was what he did all day to make money and we hoped that other people didn't take advantage of him.
McLeodganj is a small town which, at the time of year, is gloriously sunny all morning and then in the afternoon a strange mist descends and enshrouds the mountains and at that point it often rains. Yesterday it chucked it down so we sought refuge in an Italian restaurant and had a really tasty meal and then we went for a few beers after. There weren't any other travellers in the hotels and restaurants we went for a drink in (there are no bars and definitely no clubs here!!) and the local men would come up to us giggling and saying something that we couldn't understand - it turns out all they wanted was a photo with us and then they would scurry back to their friends giggling!
On the TVs in the restaurant they played a sport that I didn't recognise; it involved men holding hands in pairs and dancing around trying to block another man and everyone was going wild for it! We were told it was called Kabbadi and it's extremely popular in India.
On Tuesday we decided to go to the local 'cinema' (a freezing room in a basement with 10 chairs and a projector) and watch Khundun which is a Martin Scorsese film about the current Dalai Lama and his exile from Tibet. That evening we got on a 13p bus to the next town so we could go on an overnight coach to our next destination, Shimla. I've heard that there is a huge monkey statue there as well as the Shimla toy train plus it's on the way to other places of interest in India.
Jealous.
A lot of Indians are very keen to have a photo with a westerner, particularly a blonde one, and barely a second passed at the waterfall without a photo being demanded. Here is a selection:
Our 'guide' then took us to a few temples and he was so lovely that we decided to pay him a small amount despite us not ever asking for his help or agreeing to any guidance. It turned out that being what we called a 'surprise guide' was what he did all day to make money and we hoped that other people didn't take advantage of him.
Hindu temple.
McLeodganj is a small town which, at the time of year, is gloriously sunny all morning and then in the afternoon a strange mist descends and enshrouds the mountains and at that point it often rains. Yesterday it chucked it down so we sought refuge in an Italian restaurant and had a really tasty meal and then we went for a few beers after. There weren't any other travellers in the hotels and restaurants we went for a drink in (there are no bars and definitely no clubs here!!) and the local men would come up to us giggling and saying something that we couldn't understand - it turns out all they wanted was a photo with us and then they would scurry back to their friends giggling!
Strange afternoon mist.
On the TVs in the restaurant they played a sport that I didn't recognise; it involved men holding hands in pairs and dancing around trying to block another man and everyone was going wild for it! We were told it was called Kabbadi and it's extremely popular in India.
Swinging chair!
On Tuesday we decided to go to the local 'cinema' (a freezing room in a basement with 10 chairs and a projector) and watch Khundun which is a Martin Scorsese film about the current Dalai Lama and his exile from Tibet. That evening we got on a 13p bus to the next town so we could go on an overnight coach to our next destination, Shimla. I've heard that there is a huge monkey statue there as well as the Shimla toy train plus it's on the way to other places of interest in India.
This dog is not dead. It is merely having a snooze at the bus station, much like the local men like to do as well!
In that photo with you and your friend and the two guys you look like you have a pair of black knickers and a pair of stockings on under your long see through top!..such exposure Miss Louden in India ha!!.......and I can't remember ever just paying 13p on a bus!.....everyone looks and appears to be so laid back there...we in Britain should take note!!!
ReplyDeleteHa just a trick of the light, they are leggings! They are laid back when they are not trying to sell you something haha x
DeleteStill can't believe they're taking photos with you hehehe that dog asleep too looks crazed x
ReplyDeleteThe guide story reminds me of that guy in Morocco with missing teeth who we feared was mugging us but infact took us to many cool places xxx
I have thought of that day many times since I've been here!! X
DeleteArrrrr Morocco, bet where you are Jennifer reminds you so much of our hols there!x
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