Monasteries & foot paths

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  Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
Thursday, October 9, 2008

After all of yesterday's walking, I decided to take it a bit easier today and find a couple monasteries. Of course, this involved walking on paths that were rocky and muddy, weaving in and out of people's homes, amongst chickens and roosters, and without much difficulty, not having a clue where I was... but people are friendly and point the direction. I finally find one and its beautiful but the inside was being renovated so I couldn't go in.

Outside were 2 young girls, teenagers, who were sitting on a pile of rocks and putting them into sacks. I see this done often and have no idea why. When I ask them why they are doing this, they tell me they don't know. That was about the end of the conversation. They do attend school and I got a picture of them. As with many of the young people, they were dressed in Western style clothing.

On my way back, I decided to try and buy a pair of pants so I'd have something that felt clean to wear on the plane back to the US. Women do not wear sweats or running pants but I found a stall that sold something to that effect. I had bought a blouse from these women earlier so they knew me and I "was their favorite customer." ( probably b/c i overpaid earlier!) Anyway, I got their pictures, 2 sisters, and one tells me the other needs to get married. There are many laughs and hugs over their pictures. I bought the pants for 200 rupees and of course, they did not fit. Indian men would be the ones to wear them and like the women, they are slight in build.

As with all my days, it was good, exciting, and always makes me think about what i have and the life I lead. 

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