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| Chhatru - July 3rd |
| Chhatru was probably the lowlight of the 11 day trek. I became sick during the night at Balugira and when I awoke, wasn't in the best of form. Climbing up and over Hamta Pass feeling like reanimated carrion wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done in my life. However, the following morning I was feeling much better and was ready for Chher's delicious dal and chappatis. |
| Chher making chapatis. Although dal and chappatis were the primary staple (breakfast, lunch and dinner), I tried some variations; chappatis with peanut butter, chappatis with honey, chappatis with peanut butter & honey, chappatis with banana & peanut butter, chappatis with peanut butter, honey & banana...I offered some of my creations to Chher but he usually declined with a polite smile. |
| The ol' Himachel Pradesh, passenger bus, cargo truck roundup. Of course, we seemed to be right where the roundup, woundup. This was a common site all along the trek because the sheepmen were moving their flocks to higher ground and better pastures. So here we were...sheepmen to the right, sheepmen to the left, stuck in the middle with ewe(s) (sorry). |
| Chhota Drara - July 4th |
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| I felt these five pictures captured the spirit of Chhota Drara. That's Nitin to the left. He quit his job in computer network marketing for Zenith (nothing to do with the American Zenith) in Delhi after three years, moved to Manali, bought five horses and began learning how to be a guide in the Himalayas. He's also a musician and had his own rock group in Delhi. Although he still plays guitar, he spends the off season teaching math and english in Manali. Below, left, is Lama Tenzin Dorue Bodh who lives in Varanasi but works in the store/restaurant here during the summer. Tenzin gave me a beautiful pair of hand knit, woolen socks which I will always treasure. |