trust, love, and the unknown Ongoing with no expected outcome!

There has been so much time since I wrote last. The full moon and the soon arrival of Kurtis has refreshed me and inspired me to finally sit down and write……I hope to paint a good picture of all I have seen and experienced Part 1 The Remains of Darjeeling The town with Beautiful views and comfort for tourist was filled with Monkeys playing on tin roofs, eating flowers, and picking bugs from one another. There were as many dogs and cats as monkeys and we got to watch a family travel across a valley while sipping tea on top of a terrace at a 5 star hotel. The streets were filled with the basic tourist shops but then beyond the main trek there were the Indians version of thrift shops. Piles and piles of clothes hanging everywhere for meters and meters. And the poorest of people (women still dressed dazzling and sparkling) selling the clothes. I roamed the streets and valleys with Chrissy while stopping for tea and biscuits and fresh oranges. We rode the toy train which crept across a 2 foot wide track on the side of the mountain, the last running of such trains in the world. Everywhere in the world their seems to be groups making statements of what they think is right and wrong for them and their environment. Right now Darjeeling is trying to become and independent state and there were protests in the main square all day and night. Filled with student in starvation and silence and in the evening by candle light. I have had the freshest meals in Darjeeling with delicious crisp vegetables and simple broth. The hills that surround the outskirts are filled with tea plantations. It felt like I was in the secret garden as I wondered through the paths and exchanged smiles with the children. The patterns of the land remind me of old velour furniture patterned furniture and people dressed in white out flushing the crops. And as anywhere the constant crossover of people and circles and families continue as I place more green strings on people’s wrist and I catch up with travelers I have met before and hear from those I will meet again. One more great highlight was the time I spent at the stimulating hot café. A great hangout where the make delicious momos and chai that makes you spin. I spent lots of time there dancing around to music and learning had to make momos. So much fun and wonderful people. Beyond the beauty of Darjeeling there is still a lot of suffering and sickness around. I saw a man craw out of the trash from a whole in the wall, dogs feed off randomly made landfills, and some of the dirtiest “toilets” yet. That’s India they say. My last night I spent with Joe - a nice man in his 70's from Scotland. We had a Thai dinner and a pot of Tea and I thanked for his geniouristy and kindness. The final morning I stopped in to Glennaries to have a tea with those I know I will see again soon....and those I may not. As always making the push back into the unkown and into the new way of traveling thorugh India - Shared Jeeps, stadium seating style! Next Stop: Sikkim. The land of Smiles