Surprises in Shimla
Trip Start
Jun 30, 2008
1
2
15
Trip End
Jul 28, 2008
Shimla,
Himachal Pradesh,
India
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
It turns out that this luxury A/C bus with extra leg-room was in fact just that. The only complaint I had was that it was cold as a freezer, but at least I was in a comfortable position while I was slowly being frozen to a popsicle.
Arriving in Shimla was another surprise. My Indian Facebook-buddy, Sangeeta, recommended me a hotel which I managed to find after my legs were defrosted. Perhaps I should tell you that I am fairly used to arriving and checking in at the usual low-budget guest houses
Feeding monkeys in Shimla
. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at the most beautiful luxorious resort in colonial style (sorry, my architectureal vocabulary is now exhausted). And there I was, completely wrecked after a deep frozen night, wearing my usual backpacker's rags, smelling the way you smell when your body hasn't yet climatized and stopped sweating like a pig. In stead of waiting under the usual neon tubes and tourist posters, here I was being stared down by three Bengal tigers (dead for 80 years but still incredibly lifelike) with waiters polishing all the door knobs I touched. I felt a little out of place, but the staff was wonderful and I was given more than 50% discount.Shimla isn't as breathtaking as my last visit here though, as the whole city is veiled in clouds right now. I also haven't seen all the monkeys that used to be here. Maybe they're just hiding. And another major change since 5 years ago - no smoking in public. WTF? I thought I was in India? How typical that the first rule ever has to pick on us poor smokers.
Anyway, I have a bus ticket for tomorrow evening. Next stop is Rekong Peo, which leads to both Kinnaur and Spiti Valleys. If the word on the street is true, there is no rain in Spiti, plus it's so remote and isolated that I expect to find the peace and serenity I'm looking for there.
M
