Well, I’m so rested now I’m going crazy. There are really only two things to do here, hang out or pass through, as this is one of the two commercial and tourist gateways to the Himalayas. Hanging out isn’t working for me. So I’m off to eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Lumbini in Nepal to see some famous Buddhist sites. This bus leaves about 2:30 this afternoon and will get to Delhi in the morning, insha ‘allah. I’ll spend a night there before moving on. I haven’t figured out a route yet, but in three days I should be somewhere. I’m told the bridge to Nepal washed out this year. I’m thinking there is still some way across. I hope, anyway.
I’ve got a bunk on a bus to Delhi. Last time I did this I had to physically haul some Brahmin out of the one I had a ticket for. But it is a pretty good way to spend the night, compared to sitting in even a good seat. No window up there, but after 5 hours it’ll be dark anyway. Should be boring, but a breeze. The road is good after awhile, and horn blowing decreases late at night.
LIke I said, there isn’t much going on here in Manali, unless you like hanging out. It’s a regular tourist ghetto. So I’ll close, with the mandatory picture of a couple of snake charmers. At least these guys have a decent sized de-fanged cobra and an 8 ft. python. They insisted on putting it around my neck, even though I told them, “I did the python thing. I did the python thing.”
Be well, all of you.
