left the region of Punjab's Golden Temple in Amritsar we take a bus that will take us in the region dell'Himalach Pradesh at the foot of the Himalayas.
The first destination is Dharamsala, Mc Leod, or rather, a town of 20,000 inhabitants in the 1200 meters in height and twenty years ago, the Government of India granted the exiled Tibetans to settle and enjoy their exile from their land by the workers' Chinese oppression. In this country the government now resides Tibetan and residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who continues his work undaunted international advocacy towards the liberation of Tibet from Chinese captivity. Mc Leod
In the bus to meet Gemma, a girl of 36 years of Roses, province of Figueras, in northern Catalunya. Gemma was born with just an incredible feeling. The journey of 8 hours flight quickly, between a laugh and a chat we came to Mc Leod and she spent the days between trips, visits and experiences more than 2 weeks.
When you get to Mc Leod seems to have entered into another country. The landscape changes dramatically, when you find yourself suddenly look up to observe the high Himalayan mountains. The days are not much more sultry and refreshes you walk through the mountains, as well as the body and spirit. Even the character of the people change. Most residents are Tibetans and Mc Leod Rastro recognize without a doubt. Almond-shaped eyes, face rusty, short stature and sympathy and kindness, are the striking features of our eyes. There are also many Nepalese living in Mc Leod and the Indians, of course, attracted by the tourism-business. The tourism is significant in Mc Leod, there are many guest houses and hotels that offer tourists (more Western) comfort and cleanliness. The restaurants in addition to the Tibetan dishes, where the momo's are the most flat important, they offer all kinds of cuisine, so we can not at all boring. In the week of
instance in Mc Leod, time is flying past, including yoga classes almost every day, tours, breakfast with Tibetan monks, visiting monasteries, knowledge of Tibetan medicine, visit the school of Tibetan handicrafts and culinary tours, which can never miss the days spent flying.
The temperature was perfect, the day does not exceed 20 degrees and evening, between 8 and 15, it was better to go out with a jacket.
Visit Mc Leod was a little like entering Tibet, the Tibetan culture can breathe much, especially when visiting monasteries, you can breathe a incredible peace and serenity. Unfortunately, this trip will not be possible to visit the land of Tibet, the situation with the Chinese government is not simple. You must request special permission of the Chinese embassy and pay a daily fee rather expensive. Furthermore, the Tibetan people is subjected to a sort of dictatorship that allows him to live in freedom. They have curfews, television channels are subject to the Chinese regime, in Lhasa, the capital, are now numerous structures and the Chinese government encourages the population of the capital by the Chinese people, offering great financial help for those who want to build a home or business land in Tibet, leading to the extermination of the people Tibet, an inhuman crime, considering that the Tibetan people is the owner of the most ancient wisdom and culture of the world. Interesting are the Buddhist philosophy classes are held every day in the Buddhist Library near the Tibetan Government. An elderly Monaco every day from a teaching in the Tibetan language, simultaneously translated into English by an elderly woman, followed by about thirty people, including Buddhist monks and Westerners interested in Buddhist theory and every day following the teachings of Monaco.
We remain one week in Mc Leod, even if I wanted to stay a little longer, especially after seeing the other two cities that were waiting for us: Manali and Shimla.
Manali is a city which is located in a valley surrounded by mountains. The sight of snow-capped mountains is wonderful, but unfortunately there is not much to do in Manali. Being more of a departure station to the various hiking and being closed at this time because of snow, we could not take advantage of the various planned activities, which usually attract many tourists. We stay only three days in Manali, relaxing and enjoying the tranquility and calm of the Old Manali where we are staying, after that we put ourselves on the way to Shimla.
The journey seems endless, 12 hours in a bus traveling on curves, climbs, descents, nausea pervades us ... we come to Shimla where we meet with Gemma, which remains more time in Mc Leod. Shimla is a city at 2000 meters high, the winter residence of former senior British Army at the time of British colonization of India. We recognize the remains left by British colonial architecture of observing edifci some of the city and the presence of Catholic churches. Today, Shimla is a tourist stormed by the Indian middle class. The presence of Western-style shops, bars, franchises, expensive hotels and many banks that run along The Mall, the main pedestrian street in the heart of Shimla, just make it really fascinating. We visited the Hindu temple
Hamman, the monkey god, in the top of a mountain at 2500 meters. Even the guides Tourist speak of the presence of aggressive monkeys in this temple, but we do not believe until the entrance of the temple, Gemma is attacked by a monkey who steals a pair of sunglasses to wear. After that experience, annoying but funny at the same time, at least I have laughed for 20 minutes, we help eachother with sticks antiscimmia and enter the temple to Hamman.
We are at Shimla two days, it's not worth staying more if you're not interested in trekking out of the city. The city itself does not offer much wisdom and shopping promenade, something which we are not at all concerned.
leave Shimla and with it the region dell'Himalach Pradesh that leaves me in the heart wonderful week spent in Mc Leod, closer to the Buddhist culture and its friendly people and the friendship with Gemma, who endure a lifetime.
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