October 15-26- Winter Monkey and Lots More!
Dear All,
I cannot believe so much time has gone by since I wrote, and I find I have an entry in my notebook dated Friday 15th. Is it possible I never sent it off? After what has been going on though the last 10 days, I could be that I haven't, so first I will get it off to you all even though I have a feeling I already wrote it. Then I will try to start fresh...I have simply not had the urge to do anything the last while, as you can imagine, but on the other hand, am completely enjoying the beauitufl weather and wonderful people around me.
So back to the 15th...
Saw the movie Sylvia last night and had thought to write more about it, but honestly just remember that it was predictable, if interesting, and that avik liked it very much but Abdellah and I found it quite slow, especailly as it moved on.
Roight now I am walking up to the teahouse by Shiva Temple, which is part of the way up to Triund. It ias beautiful this morning and we went to the Om for breakfast but then it started to cloud over. But we still decided to head up. I know in the sun it is also a hard walk so why not enjoy it in the clouds? But it is also cold. and breathing in the cold air is not easy. But maybe better than the sun...don't know. Avik again has done something strange (selfish, uncaring, not thinking-don't know )***comment: this was written BEFORE I made my decision!!...I stopped to drink and then just to look around and he just continued walking-not even truning around to see where I was...that was more than 5 minutes ago and he is gone....similar to the London thing. Don't really get it. But how do you walk with someone else and not notice if they are with you or not??
Rock slide...awesome to see the shapes and angels and SIZES of the rocks and how this enormous piece of mountaint that boke off just somehow came to a stop at the middle of the road with smaller pieces which broke off probably at "landing" strewn around.
There were also trees at the very edge of the ledge of the overhanging forest above which, instead of being rooted in and supported by the mouintain soil, seemed to be actually what was holding up and supporting the side of the mountaint! I looked up from below and could see the entire root system exposed throiugh the cliff earth as if a giant shovel had scooped out all the earth underneath where the tree should have been rooted, and the tree itself was holding on precariously to the remaining soil to keep IT from being "shoveled" away as well.
We got up leisurely to the tea house and although cloudy, the view was still beautiful. We met some nice people up there as well from germany, the states and japan, all just out fo a stroll.
Coming down, to my great surprise, I saw something which I never expected to see here. I'd been told about the "nice" monkeys who come down from the high slopes in winter. Kelly said usually in December. And they sounded bautiful. Also supposed to be gentle, not like the aggresive ones here now. Well, as we came down, I spooted it! In a far tree...on the main road back to Dharamkot.
Beautiful soft grey coat with black markings and a huge, round face surrounded by pure white fur. Absolutely stunning. He ran off before I could get my camera out, but seeing this "winter" moneky made me think that they know something we don't know about the weather. (since then, we saw a whole group of them on our last walk back from Naddi and I was able to snap a (not very good) photo of one of them).
Anyway, I'm at Nick's alone for lunch...we are supposed to go to Dharamsala to pick up stuff...right now I am tired but maybe after eating I will feel more like it.
Saturday...11 AM
On the way down to Dharamasala (didn't go yesterday)...Lots of army around today even in town and up at McLeod as well. So on the way down to Dharamsala, there was an army roadblock..(I've been practicing "in the moment" and breath etc., on the way down-view is wonderful-although veiled in clouds, the mountains can still be seen full of snow).must be some military activity going on...but "being" made it all seem trivial and just enjoyed the view. Abdellah is going away for the weekend...I'lll miss his company beena a great comfort to me-poor guy-listening tomy woes and offering solace. Also nice young (28) Russian guy-Nicolai-who has been living here for 3 years already studying Buddhism. He has a degree in Political Science, lived in many places-is quite wordly-2 generations of diplomatic family, and we also spend some interesting time together. Each time I tried to catch Kelly, something else happened-perhaps over the weekend.
I checked the weather report yesterday on the internet for the next 10 days in Dharamsala (writing now, actually 10 days later, October 26th, I can tell you the report was very accurate) Dharamsala is lower down the valley and always at least 5 degrees warmer (it's 500 meters lower than McLeod). Well, for the next 10 days the forecast is for partly cloudy which is OK-no rain- but temps are 1-5 at nite and 15-18 during the day. Subtract 5 degrees for McLeod and even for more up the mountaing and you get some idea as to how unseasonbly cold it is. I don't really mind as longas the sun is out. And there is not wind-but it was REALLY difficult going up in the clouds yesterday. Now down in Dharamsala waitign for the tailor, it is too wamr in the layers I am wearing.
Well...that's that...
Now, will try and get back to where I am today, after all that has happened...
October 26th.
This will be just short notes to catch me, and you all, up with the current situation...and hopefully I will again have the urge to write journal entries...if not, I won't!
I had some really nice stuff stictched at a tailor in Dharamsala after choosing fabric in a nice local shop there. Enjoyed the experience and if I have money left in the end, may do some more.
I also went to a REAL movie this time with Abdellah and we quite enjoyed it. Avik does not want to come down to Dharamasala, says the ride is too hard for him....so I eaither go alone now or with Abdellah..it's OK with me.
Avik, by the way, was sick since he arrived and kept it a secret until I discovered it by chance, and finally agreed to go to a doctor...she thinks he has giardia and he is now taking antibiotics and feels like shit. Today he wwent down to the hospital to do a stool test...hope he will start feeling better...Can't go anywhere with him and feel bad aboutleaving him alone all day...
But it does give me more time tomyself which is also good.The town is empty, very very few Israelis, lots of Americans and French and German and Indians around. Different atmosphere...more relaxed
Eating has become very simple...lite dinners together with either me or abdellah cooking...mostlyu pasta and soups, just like at home...once in awhile fresh salad etc. and the occasional meal outhas now become a treat.
Well...I will end here...Ah yes, we went down to St. John's Church yesterday and spent time in the cemetary reading the tombstones. About 5 times as many babies and small children as adutls, the majority having died between october and march 1873-1874...wonder what happened here? Flu, dysentary or just severe cold leading to pneumonia? Would be interesting to know. One grave contained a father and his 3 children...others just babies, all very sad...quite a morbid way to spend the mronign, but it was interesting nevertheless.
And now, with love to all, I will end...
Jane
I cannot believe so much time has gone by since I wrote, and I find I have an entry in my notebook dated Friday 15th. Is it possible I never sent it off? After what has been going on though the last 10 days, I could be that I haven't, so first I will get it off to you all even though I have a feeling I already wrote it. Then I will try to start fresh...I have simply not had the urge to do anything the last while, as you can imagine, but on the other hand, am completely enjoying the beauitufl weather and wonderful people around me.
So back to the 15th...
Saw the movie Sylvia last night and had thought to write more about it, but honestly just remember that it was predictable, if interesting, and that avik liked it very much but Abdellah and I found it quite slow, especailly as it moved on.
Roight now I am walking up to the teahouse by Shiva Temple, which is part of the way up to Triund. It ias beautiful this morning and we went to the Om for breakfast but then it started to cloud over. But we still decided to head up. I know in the sun it is also a hard walk so why not enjoy it in the clouds? But it is also cold. and breathing in the cold air is not easy. But maybe better than the sun...don't know. Avik again has done something strange (selfish, uncaring, not thinking-don't know )***comment: this was written BEFORE I made my decision!!...I stopped to drink and then just to look around and he just continued walking-not even truning around to see where I was...that was more than 5 minutes ago and he is gone....similar to the London thing. Don't really get it. But how do you walk with someone else and not notice if they are with you or not??
Rock slide...awesome to see the shapes and angels and SIZES of the rocks and how this enormous piece of mountaint that boke off just somehow came to a stop at the middle of the road with smaller pieces which broke off probably at "landing" strewn around.
There were also trees at the very edge of the ledge of the overhanging forest above which, instead of being rooted in and supported by the mouintain soil, seemed to be actually what was holding up and supporting the side of the mountaint! I looked up from below and could see the entire root system exposed throiugh the cliff earth as if a giant shovel had scooped out all the earth underneath where the tree should have been rooted, and the tree itself was holding on precariously to the remaining soil to keep IT from being "shoveled" away as well.
We got up leisurely to the tea house and although cloudy, the view was still beautiful. We met some nice people up there as well from germany, the states and japan, all just out fo a stroll.
Coming down, to my great surprise, I saw something which I never expected to see here. I'd been told about the "nice" monkeys who come down from the high slopes in winter. Kelly said usually in December. And they sounded bautiful. Also supposed to be gentle, not like the aggresive ones here now. Well, as we came down, I spooted it! In a far tree...on the main road back to Dharamkot.
Beautiful soft grey coat with black markings and a huge, round face surrounded by pure white fur. Absolutely stunning. He ran off before I could get my camera out, but seeing this "winter" moneky made me think that they know something we don't know about the weather. (since then, we saw a whole group of them on our last walk back from Naddi and I was able to snap a (not very good) photo of one of them).Anyway, I'm at Nick's alone for lunch...we are supposed to go to Dharamsala to pick up stuff...right now I am tired but maybe after eating I will feel more like it.
Saturday...11 AM
On the way down to Dharamasala (didn't go yesterday)...Lots of army around today even in town and up at McLeod as well. So on the way down to Dharamsala, there was an army roadblock..(I've been practicing "in the moment" and breath etc., on the way down-view is wonderful-although veiled in clouds, the mountains can still be seen full of snow).must be some military activity going on...but "being" made it all seem trivial and just enjoyed the view. Abdellah is going away for the weekend...I'lll miss his company beena a great comfort to me-poor guy-listening tomy woes and offering solace. Also nice young (28) Russian guy-Nicolai-who has been living here for 3 years already studying Buddhism. He has a degree in Political Science, lived in many places-is quite wordly-2 generations of diplomatic family, and we also spend some interesting time together. Each time I tried to catch Kelly, something else happened-perhaps over the weekend.
I checked the weather report yesterday on the internet for the next 10 days in Dharamsala (writing now, actually 10 days later, October 26th, I can tell you the report was very accurate) Dharamsala is lower down the valley and always at least 5 degrees warmer (it's 500 meters lower than McLeod). Well, for the next 10 days the forecast is for partly cloudy which is OK-no rain- but temps are 1-5 at nite and 15-18 during the day. Subtract 5 degrees for McLeod and even for more up the mountaing and you get some idea as to how unseasonbly cold it is. I don't really mind as longas the sun is out. And there is not wind-but it was REALLY difficult going up in the clouds yesterday. Now down in Dharamsala waitign for the tailor, it is too wamr in the layers I am wearing.
Well...that's that...
Now, will try and get back to where I am today, after all that has happened...
October 26th.
This will be just short notes to catch me, and you all, up with the current situation...and hopefully I will again have the urge to write journal entries...if not, I won't!
I had some really nice stuff stictched at a tailor in Dharamsala after choosing fabric in a nice local shop there. Enjoyed the experience and if I have money left in the end, may do some more.
I also went to a REAL movie this time with Abdellah and we quite enjoyed it. Avik does not want to come down to Dharamasala, says the ride is too hard for him....so I eaither go alone now or with Abdellah..it's OK with me.
Avik, by the way, was sick since he arrived and kept it a secret until I discovered it by chance, and finally agreed to go to a doctor...she thinks he has giardia and he is now taking antibiotics and feels like shit. Today he wwent down to the hospital to do a stool test...hope he will start feeling better...Can't go anywhere with him and feel bad aboutleaving him alone all day...
But it does give me more time tomyself which is also good.The town is empty, very very few Israelis, lots of Americans and French and German and Indians around. Different atmosphere...more relaxed
Eating has become very simple...lite dinners together with either me or abdellah cooking...mostlyu pasta and soups, just like at home...once in awhile fresh salad etc. and the occasional meal outhas now become a treat.
Well...I will end here...Ah yes, we went down to St. John's Church yesterday and spent time in the cemetary reading the tombstones. About 5 times as many babies and small children as adutls, the majority having died between october and march 1873-1874...wonder what happened here? Flu, dysentary or just severe cold leading to pneumonia? Would be interesting to know. One grave contained a father and his 3 children...others just babies, all very sad...quite a morbid way to spend the mronign, but it was interesting nevertheless.
And now, with love to all, I will end...
Jane
posted by Jane @ 4:28 PM
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