One of the Highlights

After Delhi, Rishikesh, and Dehradun (only for one night to chill out, didn't do much there), we finally arrived here, in Dharamsala. A place where we didn't even have the heart to bargain the things we wish to buy, just because the sellers were mostly the Tibetan refugees.

As we all know, Dharamsala is the residence of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhism spiritual leader. To be precise, the place is actually called McLeod Ganj.

Staying in a Tibetan guesthouse. Good to have a room near the balcony overlooking the mountains. Birds chirping every morning.

One morning, me and Paroma went out for a walk. Stopped by an old church, and were followed by cute stray dogs.

It's understandable why Lonely Planet puts McLeod Ganj as one of the highlights of India. This upper part of Dharamsala has shown me everything. From a very nice weather in the middle of summer, to a wide range of delicious breakfast. From meeting some friendly Tibetan monks on the street, to getting amused by the peacefulness of the temple.

The picture below shows how these people were very nice. They gave each of us some food for free, expressing their gratitude for our visit.

Watching little kids running along the street with their tiny backpacks, singing and creating noise everywhere. They may not have known what's going on for real, and they may not have understood how clashes and conflicts horribly happened in the past, causing millions of sufferings and deaths.

Some old monks taking some rest around the temple. They're so sweet and friendly.

In the temple itself, there are lots of people coming to bring their prayers. Nonetheless, it's still open for any visitor wishing to know how great this temple is.



One of the friendly monks me and Paroma met when we were out for a walk in the morning




And I'll come back for everything.

Prayers Along The Ganges

In my travel guide book, Rishikesh may not be one of the highlights of India. But in reality, it has touched me so much that I feel like getting back to stay longer someday.

Walking across the two bridges (Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula) to visit the temple. Meandering through the streets full of religious visitors staying in ashrams, shops selling books and kamasutra cds, vegetarian restaurants. Watching the locals washing and cupping their hands for prayers in the Ganges, absorbing the Hinduism spirit. Curiously looking for a place to practice Yoga, this city is the capital of it!

I took this picture when I was doing rafting in the Ganges. That big building is one of the ashrams in Rishikesh (there are tons of ashrams in Rishikesh), and that bridge is called Lakshman Jhula.


Staying in a kind of campsite (a modern one ;p), included in a rafting package.


L-R: Paroma Soni - Twisha Asher - Nepali rafting guide - Ernielly Leo - Me

One reason why I really love this place is that because it has the Ganges and its great rapids. River-rafting used lots of energy, but I honestly has enjoyed the entire trip! This Nepali guy was also very cute, showing us how to row, how to jump, how to do stuff he's good at.

We also got a chance to swim in a small part of the river (a safer area), which I found pretty amazing. Stayed there for approximately an hour, had a good chat while the wind was getting stronger as the day  was getting darker. Drank the water, which we found a bit wrong after one of us witnessed a person washing his hair with shampoo. 

Me and Paroma Soni, chilling out after going through some rapids

All my life I had never imagined myself enjoying spiritual atmosphere so much. I had never really enjoyed religious activities before. And for me, looking for real peace in a particular place used to sound like a shit.

But then I saw Rishikesh for only two days and right now, typing this, I'm craving for a lot more of it.

Why should I get back?

I should someday stay in an ashram for a week or more, go to a yoga class, and feel the great sense of being there.

P.S: If you don't know how an ashram looks like, you'll find it in the movie "Eat Pray Love". It is where Julia Roberts stays in India.

A Developing Society in a Developed Capital

Delhi reminded me a lot of Jakarta, my hometown.

To be honest, Delhi is actually much more developed than Jakarta (considering the quality of the subways, the provided public buses, and even the auto-rickshaws with meters), but it more or less still looks similar as my city.

It's quite surprising to know that Delhi is a men-dominated society. I'd bet you'll find everyone selling stuff in a kiosk (or a food stall in the market, or whatever) here is a man. Most of the workers I saw in the train station  were also males. To me, it's quite strange, comparing to how women play considerably big roles in Jakarta.
Well, you might be wondering why this paragraph contradicts the picture above. Of course it does, the picture above is actually a ladies-compartment in one of the metro-trains.

The reason why I think Delhi is a must-visit place in India is actually the incredible gap between Old Delhi and New Delhi, which I think everyone should witness. 

When I was there, I stayed in my friend's friend's house in a very decent area in New Delhi. As a foreigner, I surely had wanted to see the entire city, including going through that sense of flying to the past in Old Delhi. So we took the metro to reach there, tried some authentic Indian cuisine, bought some cheap Indian shoes, saw almost everything, and finally came home with dirty clothes, dust all over it. Stuck with that thought: New Delhi has recently-built buildings, fancy shops and cafes, while Old Delhi has old buildings in narrow streets, cheap market, tons of traditional food, and unorganized traffic. Such a difference.

Me and Paroma, siting on a rickshaw in Old Delhi


A rickshaw driver in Old Delhi.

I should note that rickshaws are the ones with the paddles, and auto-rickshaws are.. well, built with engines and all that.

And this one is my favorite picture! That great mosque in the middle is Jama Masjid. Its surroundings are stalls selling clothes, food, sweets, and everything.

I was walking around the city with one of my best friends, Ernielly (she goes to UWC in Pune). And there she is, with a traditional drink called "Lassi", which tastes like yogurt. Heaven on a hot summer day.

Eestha and Paroma (they are Ernielly's friends from UWC)

I think every foreigner in India has to try Parantha. Everyone has to know how it tastes like, how it goes down through your throat, and how it treats your stomach so well. This thin bread is stuffed with something we can choose from the menu (I've tried lemon, paneer, and some other things I unfortunately cannot remember), and it is served with various types of homemade sauces.

Delhi may not really suit me, but yes.. as I've told you before, everyone gotta see it. See it, literally.

Wait for my next posts for Rishikesh and Dharamsala ;-)

P. S: See more pictures on my Facebook profile

It's Only the Beginning

Traveling (as in literally traveling) abroad has always been my biggest dream in life. Until I decided to fly and spend two weeks in this great subcontinent.

Taken from the majestic Jama Masjid in Old Delhi


This is India, exactly the one I had pictured in my head, and had really wished to see in my whole life. It's in Rishikesh, the capital of Yoga, with the strongest spiritual atmosphere along the Ganges.

And in Dharamsala (to be precise, it's McLeod Ganj), I finally saw everything. Staying in a guesthouse which has a balcony overlooking the mountains. Walking down to the Buddhist temple, absorbing the sense of mixed cultures and religious beliefs. Buying stuff from the Tibetan refugees' jewelry stalls. Everything. Definitely everything.

Please wait for my next posts. I've got lots of pictures to share, and stories to tell.