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Oranges, Bananes...apples...?


I first discovered in my last day in Kolkata that I would be unable to volunteer in the refugee camps, which I don't think I have mentioned so far. I know I have told everyone that volunteering in the camps was one of the reasons I put this trip together, and why I went on this adventure, BUT life always has different ways of redeeming itself for whatever reasons. I was surprised to find that I wasn't as disappointed as I thought I would be, probably because it never crossed my mind that we would be unable to volunteer in the camp! Crazy?! I felt like something would come about, and even if we just visited them I would be happy about seeming them and spending time in my friend's houses/huts/bamboo structures..... I still had time to figure things out, and wait and see what would happen....

In the mean time...

My traveling partners (Christie and Christina) and I ventured to the mountains; Kalimpong, Gangtok, and Darjeeling. Quite different than the city, not just because we are in a different landscape but the people, the language, the everything. We officially entered GORHKALAND! In other words a part of north West Bengal (the state in India) who's heritage and ancestors come from Nepal, hence the Gorhka tribe. Nepali is the spoken language, Momo (dumplings) is the staple diet, faces are more east Asian looking, and people are shorter with a more laid back village mentality. More on Gorhka for the history buffs...

Our first stop was Kalimpong to visit my work client's family who picked us up from the bus stand and found us a hotel! Much needed when you had an over night train ride and a really bumpy windy jeep ride up the mountain. It was wonderful having friends!!! What struck me the most during our visit was when Indu (Kalimpong friend) told me she thought I was Nepali. For a moment I thought she was referring to my toes since they are darker than Christie's and Christina's, but she said no. What she meant was that I was unexpectedly very easy to get along with and she didn't know she would be so comfortable around us! I just wanted to squish her she is so cute!! Our time with them was well spent, and we had personal guides to give us a tour of the small town.

to be continued...darjeeling