Manali

Lovelies

I have already left the middle class joys of Shimla and am now in Vashisht, which is a small village near Manali (further into the Himalayas). It was a spectacular -- albeit long -- drive to get here. The sun was shining brightly, the sky was clear blue, and the firs so vividly green that they shimmered. The road snaked through gorges and tailed the river till we finally arrived here.

It took several hours to get used to the driving. In particular for the chap to my left, who spent a significant part of the journey retching wretchedly out the window. And sadly, although we had a paid for a private bus, on arrival it suspiciously ressembled a public one, with particularly uncomfortable seats. But even such discomforts could not detract from the journey. I anticipate that the two day bus ride up to Leh will be even more marvelous.

I have been travelling for the last couple of days with Ed, an American (who prefers to describe himself as coming from San Francisco, although originally he is from Mississippi. I have been teasing him mercilessly by quizzing him about white trailer trash and living in the bible belt; he has been taking the p*ss out of my teeth: so an obvious quid pro quo, I say.)

On our arrival in Vashisht, I was struck by how the place is a major throw back to the 1970s. Everyone has facial hairs (even the women... no only kidding, all the girls look about 22 years old). Everyone dresses in very hippy clothes: long, flowing and sarongs. I feel positively out of place in my walking boots and fleece! Anyway, I shall see what there is to do.

Hasta luego