It figures that the one night i dont take my camera with me, i witness some of the most picture-worthy sights so far.. Last night I went down to the temple around sunset, in time to catch the monks chanting, and then debating in their uniquely impassioned way.. but as the sun was setting it lit up the himalayas and the low-lying clouds in such a fantastic way that could only happen when i didnt have my camera.. so i'll go back again tonight and probably again tomorrow night if for nothing else than to take pictures of the monks doing their thing.. oh yes and after the twilight colors on the mountains, this pure white fog rolled in over them which was really amazing also. oh well.
so i dropped my laundry off this morning, and it will be ready tomorrow. i have to remember not to forget that ;op. also i went shopping for everything today, so amanda expect a package in the next 10-14 days :) hope you enjoy. it was relatively expensive (about 50 US) to send it, and i spent about 100 US on everything put together. but when you figure that back home all of it would have gone for about 400 or 500, then it ends up being worth it. i think i'll get a few more things - prayer flags, a bag for myself, and maybe some incense, before i go.. but i've pretty much decided to head to manali on friday or saturday. hopefully i'll have better luck there in terms of meeting cool people. here it's mostly israelis and they mostly stick to themselves. of course apparently most of india this time of year is israeli tourists but what're you gonna do. have i mentioned how prevalent coke and pepsi (and their various chips, candies, what have you) are here? they advertise everywhere, and they have strange flavours but basically the same potato chips, cheetos, etc. etc. and mountain dew and coke (in glass bottles, though).
so yeah, what else. woke up this morning with a bit of a sore throat. feel a bit better now, so we shall see what happens.. i did bring cough drops but haven't opened them yet. the bed's not as comfortable as the previous one but the showers are awesome. no need to turn a switch and wait 30 min. and then shower quickly like the other places with hot water.
ah.. i forgot to mention how helpful the guy at the tibetan store was. he packaged everything up, wrapped it in plastic, boxed it, wrapped the box in plastic, then helped me to fill out the customs forms, took me to the shop to get the box sewn up in cloth, wrote the address on it, and rushed me to the post office just before one (just in time as they stop accepting packages at one pm exactly). good times :) the only two types of vendors here are tibetan or kasmiri, and the tibetans all declare the prices upfront with pricetags and the profits all go to help the tibetan cause, while the kasmiri bargain and wheel and deal with you and the profits go to them or their family or what have you.. so i only bought from tibetans so far.. not pushy either, the kasmiri are real salesmen, inviting you into the store, showing you this and that.. trying to make a sale big time.
the little beggars in the street must think i'm loaded.. or perhaps they think b/c i gave to one of them when i first got here that i'm going to give to all of them. it's always either "money, money" or "not money food" or "not food, milk".. milk costs more than food, and food more than just giving money, and as desperate as they look, i know they make a decent living.. more so probably than those who choose to work. at least that's how it was in bombay. the street "kids" would rather beg on the street and make 100/200 rupees per day than work for 1000/1500 per month. and they keep having kids too.. always there's a baby, and at least one other kid hanging around.. some are quite aggressive, grabbing and pulling at you.. i don't know you can't help them all.. and money doesn't even help them get off the street, you know.. so what can you do?
anyhow.. hope all is well in the US of A. i must admit i miss it a bit. i guess deep down everywhere's the same.. at least people/human nature is the same everywhere.. but i had to see for myself. hard to believe it's only been two weeks it feels like an eternity. alrighty then cheers everyone.
