Mussoorie-Weeks Two and Three

Well, the overnight train was quite interesting, as I slept surrounded by men who just unabashedly stared at me. No biggie. It also was interesting, as “Delhi Belly” struck whilst on the moving train, causing me to become quite familiar with a squatting pit toilet. NOT the most joyful occasion on a rickety train.

Welcome to the switchbacks in
Mussoorie and Landour

We arrived in Dehradun, and we ferried up in the foothills of the Himalayas by trusty cab drivers, who artfully navigated the steep hills, switchbacks, and one lane roads. It was an incredible sight to see, how people have managed to adapt to the mountains and build throughout them. The only scary part was when our car started rolling backwards.

 I know I was nervous when Alexander and I were driving on switchbacks in the Rockies, but I would willingly do that now that drive up the Himalayas again. He could be blindfolded and driving with his toes, and I would still feel safer than I felt driving up to Landour.

The lovely Mussoorie

We spent the weekend in Mussoorie just getting used to the time change, attempting to sleep, and adventuring through the markets. The view from our guesthouse, Ivy Bank, is lovely. On a clear day (which seldom occurs, since it is monsoon season and we are 7000 feet above sea level) you can see towns in valleys for miles. Other days, you can’t see more than 20 feet in front of you because of the fog.

Ivy Bank is a small guesthouse with a wonderful host, Manoj, and the best Auntieji around. Everyone is so friendly, and that in itself makes up for the lack of consistent water, internet, and power.

Our first week was spent attending Hindi school in the mornings, studying Hindi in the afternoons (and by studying, I mean, attempting to study and then watching movies), and in the evenings, studying Hindi again…hahahaHAHAHAHAHA. Who am I kidding? Most evenings were spent attempting to connect to the internet :) 

My cousin sister Aileen and I in our backyard,
which overlooks the mountains :)

We spent the next weekend trolling the Mall Road Market for fabric in order to get clothes tailored. Much shopping ensued. We ate lunch at the most American place we could find, and I astonished the group by finishing a large pizza on my own. I’m disgusting, but at least I’ve accepted that fact J

Mussoorie at sunset from my door
at the guest house

I then spent the rest of the weekend recovering from feeling sick, as I had spent part of the first week caring for the two guys in our group who had fallen ill.

The next week looks to be similar to this one…lots of Hindi school, avoiding studying Hindi, and wandering down to the internet café in town, run by an awesome guy named Bir (yes, BEER is the correct pronunciation). Our group plans to go to Rishikesh next weekend, so much planning will occur over the next few days.