33. The Hills are alive with tea!

Nunu and I arrive late into the evening – after a 28 hour journey – part of which was spent singing to old 90’s hits..boom boom boom – I want a double boom – with two Indian’s and an old French couple – bending our way up the Daarjeling hills at back breaking speed..the old man says,”Can you slow down please.” The Driver, ”No. It is safe to drive this way.” Nunu and I in the back, beaming from ear to ear planning how we just have to move mummy and granny here so that we can come back one day and visit all the time, ”It’s darling!”

Is this India?

Yes but the language is slightly different –there are mostly Tibetans and Nepali people living there – so close to the boarder and all.. Nameste VS Nomoskar, danyevand VS donobad and so forth..

So it is India?

Yes but – it’s freezing – so so cold – I’m talking nunu and I snuggled in blankets in our “mist room” J we really stayed in such a beautiful place- with our hot water bottles, cloves, beanies, scarves, jerseys, two pairs of sox – thick as possible, boots, leggings, more pants and plenty of hot tea to go – ready for our trek through the tea plantations and villages on the mountains! Or.. that beautiful bottle of red we had the first night, listening to Xavier Rudd, playing spite and malice chatting into the wee hours! Or The Hong Tong Thai whiskey we had on the last night – when the toilet seat came off! Lol.. basically it’s bloody cold! ;) Seriously frosty but sweet – sweeeeeeter than the hot chocolate at coffee cafe! hhmmmmmmm

So is it India?

With other food – I won’t forget our boiled egg on toast breaki’s at Padma for a loooong time – best! And naturally Chinese is a big deal there – so don’t get us started on the mo mo’s.  Wrapped up veg in a batter – I can’t tell you how many we ate..who’s counting? ;)

And is it India?

Yes but – 

surely the little village is something  cut out 

of an old Engish story book where the strawberry salemen falls in love with the butchers daughter? Or something to that effect?  It’s simple and all the details matter. From the green shutters to the pot planted flowers and herbs everywhere. The houses painted in different colors, the immaculate dirt roads, tea plantations and villages – all so cheerful and well kept! These have been the first villages I have seen that are so striking, the families smiling - even the dogs are happy and cared for! J

So.. is it India?

Yes but – no one asks you to buy anything. Not a sole. There are of course I few stalls but you can stop if you like and be greeted with a smile but otherwise you mozy along – and get the smile to go.. the people there are so soft – taking it easy, taking it slow..

So.. is it India?

Well, there are no rickshaws or motor rick shaws (as they call them in India – Thailand says tuk tuk) woreva – there are none.. people walk.. and of course there is the toy train – what a fun ride – looking onto the snow peaks – such a post card moment! And every so often a cute mini combi will slowly pass you buy, with a few people coming from work..

And..is it India?

Yes..but they wake up much later there – ten o clock in the morning they gradually turn around the welcome sign except for Sundays - time for some chillin.

And now IS IT INDIA?

Basically yes – but none like I’ve ever seen or imagined it could be. When I’ve thought of India I've imagined the Delhi, Agra, and Varanasi that I’ve seen – I even imagined the crazy things I saw within those places J But never did I ever imagine the darling Daarjeling. It felt like I was in a Chinesey Tibetany India in England. It just goes to show how big this place is – you can go from cities, to deserts, to beaches and mountain ranges- so diverse– much like home in that sense! Ah! So much to see! J It was a wonderful few days – such a relaxed time – a great contrast (and much needed after Varanasi – lol.. but now we’re both ready to jump right back into it – ready for action! J We feel as if we’re comin down the mountain (which we literally are) but – not quite so literally – reentering the country – round two!:) Oh Ms India – she has so many faces, I can’t wait to meet the next one! J Bubuneswar here we come!

“Giving carefull free cz there is freedom round us and we have everything we need cz I will care for you and you will care for me.” - Xavier Rudd :) **bless**

                                           Lots of kisses, loves and Momo's :) hmmmm xxxx