Sunday 12:30 pm Mussoorie. The tour of India ended this past week and we arrived back in Mussoorie where Woodstock School is on Wed. Catherine and I are staying in a very quaint hotel called the Green N Breeze. It has the most spectacular view above to Mussoorie (we are about a 10 minute taxi drive from town center) and down the valley to Dehradun, the closest large city. The twinkling lights of both are simply spectacular at night.
Going back to the end of the tour. Last Sunday C and I walked around Jaislamer. We ffound it to be the dirtiest city we have been in but liked it alot. We found two fun shops in an old bazaar. Had chai with the owner of a great clothing and fabric place. He was so nice. We had a fun day just roaming the town on our own.
Monday we toured Jaislamer with the group. Saw a fort and a gorgeous home of a long ago prime minister - it was gorgeous... Boarded train at 4:00 for last overnight train ride... back to Delhi. Arrived Delhi Tuesday am and checked into the YWCA. Then we all went out for a final lunch at Piccadelhi's, it was a great lunch. Some members of the group and Ranjeet (our ever faithful tour guide) were leaving us that day. Outside the restaurant after lunch about 6 homeless kids came out of nowhere. We started playing and having fun with them. It was so amazing. Then some mean man told them to leave. But we left a smile on their faces... more than food or money can give them. So incredible all of the crowds of people we have gathered in the last month... Maddie, her mom Jill, Catherine and I walked back to the Y. We were almost there and all of a sudden, a little kid around 1 1/2 years, with just a sweater on and a 3-4 yr old came out of a blue tarp dwelling (that is what most homeless live in, that or corrugated tin or black plastic) laughing and giggling. So we stopped to play with them and think they giggled and laughed more than any kids we have met on the trip. It was SO much fun...
On Wed. am up at 5:30 am for 6 hour train from Delhi to Dehradun. Then an hour and a half car ride to Mussoorie. Both very uneventful. Mussoorie was chilly the first few days, 40 ish at night but now it has warmed up. No buildings (except Jaypee a 5 star hotel right above us) have central heat, just little space heaters that provide little or no heat! Maddie is staying with us tonight as her mom left for home (Denver) this morning. Sad for Maddie but she is in good spirits!!
I leave Wed am about 7:30 for Delhi. My flight is not until 12:30 am on the 11th so am visiting Ojibway friends who live in Delhi for the afternoon.
May try and write once more but not sure I'll get a chance Hope you've enjoyed reading this. I will be posting pictures when I return. Love to all, Sandy