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Happy Puja!


Hello all! Just thought I would do a quick update. As some of you may now now is the holiday season in India, it is the month of the big Pujas and then Diwali at the end of the month. It's comparable to our Christmas. So school has been let out for most of October. Andrew and I decided to catch a train to Darjeeling and have been here for almost 6 days now, including one 4 day trek through the Himalayas with perfect views of Everest and everything. It was really spectacular. Tomorrow we plan to head a bit north to Gangtok and do the "Buddhist Monastary Trek" for about 5 days then head back to Delhi. Once I get back there I'll update properly (I've been keeping a journal) and post pictures! Just thought I'd let you know we were still alive! PS (a day later...) we made it up to Gangtok today (Monday) and I have to say... it might take the title away from Darjeeling as my favorite place in India so far. It has a main market that is paved, with street lamps, and because of the puja season there are Christmas lights up everywhere. It's really amazing. The people here as so much different than everywhere else, for dinner I actually tipped the waiter because I liked him (usually I have to argue with them to get my change back). It's a real Indian tourist town, but somehow it's different... a lot better. Hopefully by the next time I update I'll be able to put into words how different this place is, for now you'll just have to take my word for it. Andrew and I are rethinking the trek... maybe we'll relax a bit more here and see some of the things to do around here (there is a high altitude lake at 14,000 ft that you can take a yak ride around for only 80 Rs...). Plus, we got a super sweet deal on a hotel that has a brand new TV AND WARM WATER! So we might be sticking around for awhile... but hey it's our vacation we're allowed to

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