Hotel Snow Crest Inn Dharamsala

... which I was told left at 9am. In reality it left at 9.30.
Amritsar train statin is not the most scenic place to spend time but after half an hour or so two older Canadian/English ladies turned up - also going to Pathankot on the train so had a quick chat with them. Then a couple who had been staying in my hotel turned up. After half an hour or so we had hatched a plan to get on the train.
1 hour late (on time for Indian railways!) the train ...

... of huge long horns, and blow. These horns were about 12 feet long and the bell was nearly a foot across. The thunderous low, rattling blasts that ensued were riveting. The vibrations shook the place. Ring drums and smaller horns made from water buffalo horns would join in. It was fabulous! I shot a great sequence on video, (with audio) but it was in HQ mode , and the file will be too big to send out on the net. You will have to wait for ...

We left the YMCA at 9 AM and made it to the bus station with plenty of time to spare. We got our backpacks loaded into the trunk of the bus...and ended up paying R$5 each for the man that put them in there. Called himself a 'porter' and said his services were different than the ones from the main bus station. I think I'll just start putting my own bags in the trunk so I don't have to pay any of those sneaky *******s. The bus took off ...

... link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmandir_ Sahib. The temple is in the middle of a lake and simply breathtaking. To go through the temple you must cover your head, leave your shoes outside, and walk through the holy lake water to cleanse your impure feet. If you are a man you can then bathe in the lake which is supposed to have special healing powers. We walked through the temple and I noticed everyone had these dry leaves with goo ...

Eva who is a girl I met on the farm has come to join Tanya and myself at the mountain town. We tried to go for a long hike in the mountains together but got horribly lost and were clambering around like idiots but having alot of fun when we were rescued by a nice guy called Hem Raj. He had a teashop half way up the mountain and took us there to safety. It was actually half way along the hike we wanted ...

... in the fetal position clicking my heels together to no avail. I was still there when I opened my eyes. Outside there was still the noise and the smells and the poverty and the confusion (and I'm only in McLeod Ganj, what could be called "India Lite"). I got up, splashed some water on my face and decided to head out for dinner. There wouldn't be much to tell if I spent two months in a damp yellow room. It was the best idea I've ever had. A little ...

... of mantras etched into some big drums. The idea is that, instead of wasting half the day in prayer, all you need do is spin the drums and it's the equivalent of four hours of mantra mumbling. Now there's an ingenious spiritual labour saving device. I'll remember that next time I have a glass of red wine and a cracker. Went to the Tibet museum which depicted the history of Tibet and the Chinese 'overthrow' sending Tibetans into exile. Very very moving. Lump-in-throat moment ...

... is very funny, always keeping us laughing we have enjoyed her company. The momo's are hugely popular food to eat and everyone is always talking about where the best momo's are in town. The stuffing and preparing is quite easy however the dough is a bit more technical in the folding and sealing and Sangye was a perfectionist. Each different type of momo had its own fold so you can identify what is inside. I think back home I will stick to the one I could ...

... buy granola, spirulina, and wheatgrass. Round the corner, both Tibetan Healing Massage and something called Cosmic Massage. In the Namgyal monastery bookstore, you can buy "Reiki-The Legacy of Dr. Usui" or "Healing Heart Disease Naturally," or "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus." They do not have any copies of the Buddha's sutras. Inside the Tsuglagkhang, in front of the Buddha statue are stacks of carefully arranged Chips Ahoy, Oreos ...

... translation through my little radio, we were pushed to the side to make way for the returning parade. Crouched on my knees, head slightly bowed, hands pressed in a prayer position towards His Holiness, his robe brushed the tips of my fingers as he passed by. The Dalai Lama's smile is famous around the world. That day, I was probably famous for mine. Unfortunately, not all of my days have been as blessed. I ...