It's now been over a week since I came to Mussoorie, and I continue to be amazed by the scenery which is surrounding me. the city of Mussoorie is literally perched on a mountain (picture is Mussoorie from below), 2000 meters straight up from the state capital, Dehra Dun. The ride down the winding road to Dehra Dun is quite literally as exhilarating as any roller coaster, especially at the speeds at which the bus drivers take the numerous hairpin turns. From most parts of the city, there are great views of the Doon valley below, and the surrounding foothills to the Himalayan mountains. These are foothills, and still they are four or five times taller than the tallest peak of the Allegheny mountain range in which I abide.
My place of residence, DevDar Woods hotel, is a guest house another 200 meters above Mussoorie, which makes for a heck of a walk, but which gives even better views. DevDar is on the far side of the mountain, which means it faces not towards the plains but north towards the incredible snow-capped peaks of the bona fide Himalayas (picture of DevDar Woods hotel)In the Guest house are, at the moment, eight other language school students, most of whom I find very nice and interesting and only a few of which really get on my nerves. The group isn't as young as I would have liked, purely because of demographic issues like prefered bed time, conversation topics, etc. There are, however, a couple of people which whom I really get along well. My room is great, and the freezing cold temperatures of winter are finally subsiding, leaving us with 70 degree days and 40 degree nights, by all means acceptable weather by my standards. We get hot water, which is a bonus, and three home-made meals a day, most of which consist of potatoes in cost-cutting measure taken by the owner (our complaints have not found hard ground as of yet). I have my own bathroom, and overall I am very satisfied with my room for what I'm paying: somewhere around eight dollars per night (picture of guest house kitchen and g
roup)
roup) 
Well, it's time for me to get off the computer. Language school is going very well, but I've got lots and lots of homework to do. Namaste!
7 comments:
hey sam,
thanks for putting up pictures. What's the first one of?
hai bhagvan, its Sam and Wanda!!! so funny that you two are there together. i admire you both a great deal. kaise hai? ye bahut accha travelogues hai; jaldi bharat se jaungui, na?? kaha, kab?
meri hindi (aur transliterations) bahut kharab hai, maf kijie meri dost. pick up some clever phrases so you can come back and teach us.
lakhs of love (haHA!),
katherine
Hi Sam,
You're beginning the adventure of a lifetime and it will be interesting to see where this jet assisted boost will propel you. Can't think of a more appropriate place to learn Hindi and get the "Himalayan" infection. (They have a way of insinuating themselves into the core of your being.) While there, visit Woodstock School (my school in several lifetimes back), there are many like minded students there.
Hope you have time to trek back to the vicinity of Banderpunch which you can see from your abode. Smell the deodars, listen to the birds (even the crows), taste the great foods of north India, and take its culture with a grain of salt. Not all truth resides in mysticism.
Will look forward to reading more of your experiences while there.
Oyeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! hermano. como estas?? cuando vas a dejar de viajar como pendejo por el mundo??... escuhe que te estás olvidando el español y tienes que escuchar salsa jajajaja... bueno CUIDATE Y SE FELIZ!!!
Waiting for more...hope you're still having the time of your life!! B.K.
hey Sam Pas ton site. Meme plus que pas mal. Je suis tombee dessus par hasard, c'est cool.
A ce soir au diner.
Caroline
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