you pick yourself up and go trip-ping somewhere...

Day 3 contd. : Arrived (finally, phew!) at Mcleodganj around 7pm. Managed to find a room at Kunga's Guest House. Its a well-maintained place with airy, clean rooms. Its highlight is the Italian restaurant downstairs that serves all meals (vegetarian) with ample variety and taste. Plus it offers great views of the valley below and the snow-laden mountains above.

Day 4: Woke up early. After breakfast at Nick's, we walked down Temple Road to the temple of the Dalai Lama and the Namgyal Monastery. Later in the evening, reached Upper Dharamkot about 4km from Mcldgnj, near Gallu Temple. Checked in at Sagar Guest House, the lodgings of our trekking company High Point Adventure. This place is truly away, serene and beautiful. Insects of all kinds are a problem in the upper reaches. fight them with odomos and the like, or just keep the lights off. The moment the weather gets cooler, most of the flying insects hide away.

Day 5: Shouldered our backpacks and began the trek. The trek was hot, sultry, burning and tough. Stopped for lunch at Triund, the base camp. Set up our own camp about 4 km away near the snow line cafe (read dingy chai stall/ dhabha), which is the last form of habitation in the area. These small cafes are the only source of entertainment, information and companionship for those who hike to high altitudes. Not to mention they are the ones with everyday supplies like food, mineral water, drinks, cigarettes and such.

The surroundings are splendid to say the least. At an altitude of about 3000m, it does get quite cold in the night, and a sweater becomes a must. (But for people who are more sensitive to the cold like me would need a sweater and a jacket.) Our trekking company provided us with a guide and two porters so we did not have to worry about food and supplies. everything was done for us. In the night the sky was clear enough to watch about a million stars, close planets and even moving satellites. The difficulty faced, if at all, is having access to water and a toilet. Water is usually filled from a spring about half n hour away. The spring water is clear, and there is just enough for cooking and drinking; almost none for washing, not even to wash yourself. For excretory purposes, you have to share the wide expanse with dogs, cows, goats and ponies. Behind a bush, tree or a rock, you use a place once and it is rendered unfit for use by the hoards of flies that feed on waste. So you can be in big trouble if you have to go more than once, or especially in the night. Post 7.30 in d evening, things begin to come down to a standstill. Once its dark, you're lost. Only a flashlight or candles to brighten u up.