Darjeeling

Darjeeling is a town of about 100,000 people set on top of and around a mountain(or maybe hill. . . I dont know the exact distinction so I will call it a mountain because that sounds more exciting). It is just east of Nepal and just north of Bangladesh. The elevation is around 6700 ft so temperature here has been wonderful and cool.  Darjeeling itself is a pretty big draw for travelers/tourists but still seems like a very pleasant town. It has a huge tea industry and is the jumping off point for a lot of treks into the mountains around it.

I got in yesterday afternoon (nov 12) in time to find a hotel and spend most of the afternoon/evening walking around. I found out pretty quickly that Darjeeling’s location on the side of a mountain makes for an especially interesting road situation. There is an abundance of curvy roads that zig zag back and forth and up and down the mountain. Long story short I got real lost for about 4 hours and ended up meandering through most of the city. Eventually I found a tea shop and hit some of this supposedly world famous tea. It was a delightful experience.

It is pitch black night here by about 5 in the evening so I ended up going to sleep at the obscene hour of around 7:45. It had been a long train ride and lots of walking. Or I am weak. Or some combination.

Most of the 13th consisted of walking out to  a Tibetan refugee community officially called the Tibetan Self Help Refugee Centre. The community is built on a hill and should have been a brisk mornings walk away from Darjeeling. The process of arriving at this fine establishment can can be accomplished by one of two very different options. Option one is a nice direct route that is less than a mile. Option 2 is a rather large hour and 15 minute long loop. I unknowingly selected option 2. It was an excellent decision because I got to walk through the hillside and pass through a mountaineering institute. The Centre itself is very interesting little community. It is essentially a big open area surrounded by older metal and wood buildings that house trhe different operation of the centre. The people of the centre maintain their livelihoods  by producing and selling all kinds of cultural Tibetan handicrafts and wool items. Walking through the area where they hand spin the wool and then seeing the process of making it into clothing and carpets was very interesting experience.

Upon leaving, I was still unaware of the more efficient route so I again chose option 2 and made it back to town an hourish later. It was just as delightful as before and I would definitely label it superior to the one that makes more sense. Ok well that is that for now. I am writing this on the 14th but all i have done today is skype and walk around. I was separated from my camera on the way to Kolkata so I am in search of a replacement.

Advertisement