Enter The Cold
Trip Start
Apr 02, 2009
1
11
39
Trip End
Aug 17, 2009
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Manali,
Himachal Pradesh,
India
Monday, May 11, 2009
I shouted down to him from my balcony (like a full on Israeli) a quick thanks for the tip and told him I'm heading to Manali. As I was going back to my room a young Indian couple stopped me and asked if we wanted to share a taxi there. Seeing as my back was still broken from the gov bus ride and the crappy mattress at our guesthouse, I jumped at the offer. This is how we met Kad and Shawn.
We chatted all the way to Manali, they live in Mumbai, she's a model and he's a producer, both in their early 20's.
Barbara and I called them "the kids" which is kinda scary because what would that make me exactly?
Whatever, so they tell us all about themselves and we have a very interesting conversation on the ride up. They were the first local people we met that I can really relate to. I don't say that to insult the other locals we met, I'm just sayin they were city people that I hadn't met in Delhi or anywhere else thus far.
After 3 short hours we arrive in Manali.
Kasol was cold at times, Manali was even colder!
We expected this since Manali itself is 2000 meters above sea level. The forecast said high of 6 degrees and low of 0! 0? Even Canada is warmer than this now! But this is the season and honeymooners and Indian tourists alike come up here to get some relief from the bloody heat everywhere else and for the pretty mountain views.
The views are lovely, no doubt but someone please bring me a heater?
After much hunting we finally found two rooms in the same hotel in a little suburb (I don't know what else to call it) called Vishisht.
Me and Kad
Vashisht is quieter, has better view than Manali and less Israeli's...I'm all Israeli'd out quite frankly.There's not much to do but shop, eat and hang out. Much like Kasol only bigger.
However in Kasol Barbara and I felt pretty isolated as everywhere we went the places were pretty empty. Manali we had Kad and Shawn so we spent all our time with them. Actually, Barbara was feeling quite ill so she spent most of the time on her own. Kad and I found a Shesh Besh (backgammon) cafe (it was actually called "The Shesh Besh Cafe") and played for hours while Shawn went hiking. Actually for 2 days straight, that's what we did. We went from one restaurant to the other (really only two) played backgammon, ate and smoked. It was great except for the cold. Especially when it rained and at night. I was so cold that I actually slept in what I wore for the day. Coat and all! I know it sounds kinda gross but I just couldn't fathom taking anything off.
On day 3 our lovely companions had to go back to Mumbai and we left the following morning.
Manali was nice, the mountains were lovely but I think I've spent enough time in the Himalayas and it's time to get down and dirty (literally) in the real India.
p.s - After spending so much time with Kad, I picked up the famous Indian head bob/nod thingy. I do it naturally now and it's driving me mad!
