Day one in Darjeeling. We've had a refreshing and unexpected welcome to India with a lack of touts and relative calm. If we hadn't spent those characteristically inefficient couple of hours trying to cross the border, I would still believe we were in Nepal from the gentleness and relative reserve of the locals. We even saw the obligatory overturned jeep halfway down the hillside during the drive up the mountain yesterday ... ahh, just like home. Apparently, the natives too perceive themselves as distinct from the rest of the country, as the region is filled with postings and chatter advocating independence for "Ghorkaland".
It sounds like the bizarrely early monsoon-esque rains will be keeping us indoors for many afternoons, but we were lucky enough to have a dry morning to explore the town. Our tour of the "Happy Valley Tea Estate" was surprisingly thorough and educational ... who knew the best SFTGFOP1 (Super Fine Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe - grade 1 !!!) tea is produced by 19th century machines and under German management? Tea touring was promptly followed by an equally amusing trot through the local zoo (the highest zoo in the world, I might add) and then onto the Mountaineering Museum, where we learned all about the many - both successful and failed - Everest expeditions. Hmm ... seeing this all in print, I feel pretty accomplished for the day.
In retrospect, I now recall how humorous these past couple of days have actually been. Starting with the 5 minutes spent arguing with the immigrations official yesterday over my (obviously!) incorrect statement that my nationality is American. My passport cover says USA, so why didn't I write USA?!?!? I mean, what an incompetent error that is backing up the otherwise impeccably efficient process!!! And then those peaceful moments at the zoo observing the Bengal tiger, interrupted by a raging tourist who - by several elbow jabs and a hearty push - made clear that she had the rights to my tiger-viewing spot! And by far the most amusing anecdote of the day ... according to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute's brochure, their store's equipment is available on a "First Cum First Serve Basis". Hmm. Won't be buying any gear from them.
2 comments:
loved the day's anecdotes... especially when you declared your nationality as "American". i have made the same error here in BA, but here, people get pissed because, clearly, they are American, too. i am such an arrogant "American"
Hey Emilie!! Just found your blog. I hope you have a wonderful trip!
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