In my previous post I wrote how few foreign tourists could be found in Shimla. Well, I've spend some weeks now here in McLeod Ganj, and I  can tell you it's quite the opposite. You really have to look hard to find Indian people around here! Okay, they're still here, but seem to be a minority compared to the huge amounts of Tibetan people and foreign tourists.

Anyhow, let's continue where I finished last time. I spend quite some time in Shimla, and during my stay I met again some travelers I met before in Udaipur and Jodhpur, which was quite nice. Unlike me they have been to many more places since we split ways so it was very nice to catch up and hear their stories of their travels. It was actually the last day for me in Shimla when I met two Canadians I had met before in Jodhpur. While they decided to spend Holi in Shimla I went back to Delhi.

So....Delhi and Holi. Quite some people are afraid of this combination, but I must say there is no reason at all. While it can get chaotic (drunk rickshaw drivers doing tricks on their rickshaws, waterballoons coming at you from all directions), it is a VERY nice and colourful day! I had a great day and stay there and look forward to a next Holi :-)

Some days after Holi I took the bus again, and this time to Dharamsala or more precise, McLeod Ganj. McLeod Ganj is the area where the Tibetan government in exile can be found and as such many Tibetan refugees live here. Many foreigners could also be found due to popularity of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism. While I am one of the foreigners here I must say I am definitely not here for this reason. Most foreigners that I met here in McLeod Ganj come to learn about that culture, for meditation or to smoke.

Again I met some travelers from before here, which was nice to spend some time with again. By now though they've all left, and so I feel it's time to move on again as well. As I've been working real hard on my thesis again for a while (except last week due to a stupid injury) I feel like having a short break again. Therefore my plan is to go to Dalhousie for a dat or two, departing at the end of the weekend. After that I continue my plans by heading to Srinagar. I haven't figured out yet whether I go there via Udhampur or Jammu. While I don't want to go via the latter I am told it is easiest to go from there. Hmmm, I'll have to think about it. Maybe when I go up Triund again and spend the night at the Snowline Cafe?