(no subject)
The question about my trip that I get from everyone is "what was the best part of your trip?"
The best part of my trip was not one particular moment, but all of the wonderful people that I met. The best part of any trip is the people who you share your time with. I met some really wonderful people from all over the world!
Gadi from Israel and I met at the bus stop on the way to Manali and had fun talking about music, culture, religion, etc. I enjoyed walking around Manali with him, visiting the town of Naggar, listening to him play on the bamboo flute that he bought, enjoying good food together, and walking around McLeod Ganj in the rain together.
I met Carmen from Germany and her sweet little Tibetan son Leo, on the bus from McLeod Ganj back to Manali. We had two seats for the three of us. Leo is two and does not take up much space. I was impressed at how content he was to sit quietly on the eight hour bus ride. We ran into each other all over Leh. I kept thinking I would get her e-mail address from her the next time we were together, and then it never happened :(
I met Clinton from Colorado and Grant from Australia on the bus from McLeod Ganj to Manali, and we shared the LOOOONG jeep ride from Manali to Leh together. Grant and I were room mates in Leh together. Lots of laughs, stories, good food, yoga, and walks around town. Grant went with me to Pangong Lake with Lilly, Mike, Tatiana, and Don.
Lilly from Wyoming and I met in Yoga class, and she invited Grant and I to join the group going to Pangong Lake. That short three days was a highlight of my trip. My favorite water bottle was stolen while there, but we had such a great time enjoying each others company, eating good food, and soaking up the scenery that the loss of the bottle was an okay price to pay.
Tatiana and Don are a wonderful couple from Bolivia and Ireland. They are one of only two couples I met who's company I enjoyed. They are both so intelligent and easy to talk to, and never made me feel like a third wheel even if it was just the three of us for dinner. I feel that I got to be friends with both of them and can't wait to visit them in Bolivia, reading a book while sipping coffee on the shores of lake Titicacca with them.
I was sad to leave my friends in Leh, but they all left a few days later for other places, so they would not have been there if I had stayed (same thing happened in Kathmandu)
It was fun to meet Valerie at the airport in Delhi. I had fun doing the tourist attractions with her in Agra, Varanasi, and Darjeeling.
In Calcutta I met Jenny from Ireland and Mira from California. Mira is really an ex-pat wandering the earth looking for her home. She has not lived in the US for many years now. Jenny and I are kindred spirits. She understood me and helped me through some emotionally rough patches. I miss Jenny! I can't wait to go to Ireland for her wedding next year. Mira was like a sister. We spent long nights talking about anything and everything. She got me to go sari shopping, something I would not have done on my own. I miss Mira too.
I also met my two Dutch friends in Calcutta. Christian and I talked long into the night, and had fun being extras in the Indian commercial together. He made me laugh.
Sido and I bonded. He will have a special place in my heart. We traveled to Bodhgaya together and enjoyed the magic of the Buddhist holy place together. I loved walking around the temple together and sitting under the Bodi tree with him.
The bus ride from Muzzafapur to Pokhara was made pleasant by the India/Napali family that shared the trip with me. Manoj, Luxme, and the other two brothers looked after me, and made sure I got where I needed to go. I let Luxme sleep in my arms for part of the bus ride and we shared our water and snacks together. Luxme taught me how to drink from a water bottle without touching the bottle with my lips. We played games and shared music. I still need to send the kids a package from the US as a thank you.
In Pokhara I met Clair from Colorado. She was my hiking buddy and room mate for a few days. We hiked to the Peace Pagoda together and I pulled the leaches off her socks for her. We hiked to the top of Sarankot together, no leaches there. We ate many meals at Cafe Concerto together, and swapped books. I meet up with her again in Kathmandu where we stayed at the guest house and shared the same social group once again. She was my longest travel friendship and I hope to see her back here at home. She loves Seattle and I love Colorado, so it is likely to work out.
Right after I arrived in Kathmandu Clair and I went to the Kathmandu Blues Festival together, where we met Steven from Australia. Steven is another kindred spirit, a similar soul. We did not bond instantly, but after a day of walking around temples together and taking photos of each other, we started to seek each other out for the good conversation and laughter. I inspired Steven to write a poem!
At the Kathmandu Garden Guest House I met Benoit from Quebec. I had noticed that Benoit hanging out in the garden by himself with his book for a few days, and decided to find out who he was, so walked over and introduced myself. I discovered an intelligent kind person who also has a background in science who is currently studying religion. We had long talks about the various world religions. We went on some very enjoyable walks together and never ran out of things to talk about.
I also got to spend some time in Kathmandu with two of my friends from Seattle who are currently living in KTM. We enjoyed a night of Jazz together in the city of Patan. It is funny to travel half way around the globe to meet up for an evening with a friend from home! Thanks to Tamara and Kristin for making me feel at home in a city sooo far away.
three months, two countires, and many new friends.
The best part of my trip was not one particular moment, but all of the wonderful people that I met. The best part of any trip is the people who you share your time with. I met some really wonderful people from all over the world!
Gadi from Israel and I met at the bus stop on the way to Manali and had fun talking about music, culture, religion, etc. I enjoyed walking around Manali with him, visiting the town of Naggar, listening to him play on the bamboo flute that he bought, enjoying good food together, and walking around McLeod Ganj in the rain together.
I met Carmen from Germany and her sweet little Tibetan son Leo, on the bus from McLeod Ganj back to Manali. We had two seats for the three of us. Leo is two and does not take up much space. I was impressed at how content he was to sit quietly on the eight hour bus ride. We ran into each other all over Leh. I kept thinking I would get her e-mail address from her the next time we were together, and then it never happened :(
I met Clinton from Colorado and Grant from Australia on the bus from McLeod Ganj to Manali, and we shared the LOOOONG jeep ride from Manali to Leh together. Grant and I were room mates in Leh together. Lots of laughs, stories, good food, yoga, and walks around town. Grant went with me to Pangong Lake with Lilly, Mike, Tatiana, and Don.
Lilly from Wyoming and I met in Yoga class, and she invited Grant and I to join the group going to Pangong Lake. That short three days was a highlight of my trip. My favorite water bottle was stolen while there, but we had such a great time enjoying each others company, eating good food, and soaking up the scenery that the loss of the bottle was an okay price to pay.
Tatiana and Don are a wonderful couple from Bolivia and Ireland. They are one of only two couples I met who's company I enjoyed. They are both so intelligent and easy to talk to, and never made me feel like a third wheel even if it was just the three of us for dinner. I feel that I got to be friends with both of them and can't wait to visit them in Bolivia, reading a book while sipping coffee on the shores of lake Titicacca with them.
I was sad to leave my friends in Leh, but they all left a few days later for other places, so they would not have been there if I had stayed (same thing happened in Kathmandu)
It was fun to meet Valerie at the airport in Delhi. I had fun doing the tourist attractions with her in Agra, Varanasi, and Darjeeling.
In Calcutta I met Jenny from Ireland and Mira from California. Mira is really an ex-pat wandering the earth looking for her home. She has not lived in the US for many years now. Jenny and I are kindred spirits. She understood me and helped me through some emotionally rough patches. I miss Jenny! I can't wait to go to Ireland for her wedding next year. Mira was like a sister. We spent long nights talking about anything and everything. She got me to go sari shopping, something I would not have done on my own. I miss Mira too.
I also met my two Dutch friends in Calcutta. Christian and I talked long into the night, and had fun being extras in the Indian commercial together. He made me laugh.
Sido and I bonded. He will have a special place in my heart. We traveled to Bodhgaya together and enjoyed the magic of the Buddhist holy place together. I loved walking around the temple together and sitting under the Bodi tree with him.
The bus ride from Muzzafapur to Pokhara was made pleasant by the India/Napali family that shared the trip with me. Manoj, Luxme, and the other two brothers looked after me, and made sure I got where I needed to go. I let Luxme sleep in my arms for part of the bus ride and we shared our water and snacks together. Luxme taught me how to drink from a water bottle without touching the bottle with my lips. We played games and shared music. I still need to send the kids a package from the US as a thank you.
In Pokhara I met Clair from Colorado. She was my hiking buddy and room mate for a few days. We hiked to the Peace Pagoda together and I pulled the leaches off her socks for her. We hiked to the top of Sarankot together, no leaches there. We ate many meals at Cafe Concerto together, and swapped books. I meet up with her again in Kathmandu where we stayed at the guest house and shared the same social group once again. She was my longest travel friendship and I hope to see her back here at home. She loves Seattle and I love Colorado, so it is likely to work out.
Right after I arrived in Kathmandu Clair and I went to the Kathmandu Blues Festival together, where we met Steven from Australia. Steven is another kindred spirit, a similar soul. We did not bond instantly, but after a day of walking around temples together and taking photos of each other, we started to seek each other out for the good conversation and laughter. I inspired Steven to write a poem!
At the Kathmandu Garden Guest House I met Benoit from Quebec. I had noticed that Benoit hanging out in the garden by himself with his book for a few days, and decided to find out who he was, so walked over and introduced myself. I discovered an intelligent kind person who also has a background in science who is currently studying religion. We had long talks about the various world religions. We went on some very enjoyable walks together and never ran out of things to talk about.
I also got to spend some time in Kathmandu with two of my friends from Seattle who are currently living in KTM. We enjoyed a night of Jazz together in the city of Patan. It is funny to travel half way around the globe to meet up for an evening with a friend from home! Thanks to Tamara and Kristin for making me feel at home in a city sooo far away.
three months, two countires, and many new friends.