Queen of the hills

• Snoogantay's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Mussoorie

Trip Start Jun 14, 2005 Previous
Entry Trip End Dec 23, 2005 Next
Entry

  Mussoorie, India
Tuesday, June 28, 2005

There is a saying here:
"Those who come to Mussoorie, stay in Mussoorie; those who stay in Mussoorie never progress."
This is probably one of the most true statements I have ever heard as far as addages go. Personally, I will be staying for a month, and leaving because I have to. It's absolutely beautiful here. I am staying in a hotel called "Dev Dar Woods," which is a run-down little place that smells like moisture and is constantly dripping - it rains 27 days of the month during July. The place is not as bad as it sounds, however. In fact, it's rustic enough that people would probably charge you more for it, as some type of new-age holistic experience that is supposed to change your life.
But this is the real thing.
Power comes in and out, and no one notices anymore. Water is the same way. And hot water is only there some of the time - if there's any water at all.
But the rest of this is worth it.

Throughout the day the mist and fog rolls in and around the mountains (we're at 8,000 feet) and you can see it move in and surround you effortlessly; and soon, you are gone, and everything else has faded to white or been silhouetted in the distance, depending on the density of the clouds.

Then you hear the rain. Slowly and softly. And it becomes louder, and more angry until it is right on top of you - constantly reminding you of your weak and needy physical self. it leaves you cowering.

But then, as if a reward for your survival, the clouds break, and the Himalayas crack through the various whites and grays of the clouds with their whites and greys of snow and rock. They look violent. But its a type of violence you have to respect, if for no other reason than because you are left trembling in its presence.

Here, though, it's all forrest. We are in the foot hills, 8,000 ft as I said, and surrounded by vegitation. There are more than 1,300 different types of flowers and plants, and in the spring, over fifty kinds of orchids supposedly dot the hill sides. As of now, monkeys litter the place. Moving from one side of the mountain to another, in an endless search for something to keep their jittery minds occupied. I've so far seen four different types: golden makaques, Hanumans, and two others that can scientifically be described as grey and black.

The town of Mussoorie, like the rest of India (as was evident by the seven hour bus-ride up here), is dependant on and centered around the street. The asphault forms new rivers that allow life to spring forth on their banks. The streets are about a car and a half wide, and often serve as a two line highway with parking in the shoulder - and of course room for donkeys, horses, cows, and dogs. Don't ask me how it works; like many things here, it's just something you accept without question, and trust in the seemingly divine nature of everything - it will all just work out, and it does.

The facilities for internet and phone are ample, but almost never work, as the power switches on and off constantly. In fact, I'm afraid that this is all going to be erased any moment, so i'm going to wind things up.
Due to the power situation, and some very archaic machinery, it doesn't look like pictures will get up until I'm stationed in my own room back in Delhi with a semi-secure line.

I truly believe that everyone should experience this, preferably with me.

Heart,
Namaste,
Taylor.

Slideshow Share

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

03 Mussoorie

04 Mussoorie

05 Mussoorie

Previous Entry Next Entry