Rishakesh

After going back and forth on it one hundred times we've decided to stay up north and explore further up into the foothills of the Himalaya. It took us a few days of decompression from Varanassi and the ride up here to have a look around and recognize how beautiful and otherwordly this area is- green peaks overhead, the Ganges flowing below us, and cool air and intriguing energy coming down the valley, drawing my mind futher north, where there is snow and storms.

Not far north of here in MacLeod Ganj- the home of the Dalai Llama and much of Tibet in exile and as close you can get to Tibet on a single entry Indian visa. So that's where we're headed, along with the Vermont girls who should be here any day. The Lonely Planet says there's lots of Tibetan culture there, as well as bars (will be a novelty after Varanassi and Rishakesh-dry holy cities), western movies (escape from Bollywood!) and a ROLLERSKATING RINK. In the HIMALAYAS. Best idea ever.

Anyway were just chilling here, doing yoga, petting cows, rethinking my irrational dislike of Israelis (happy passover!), and enjoying the benefits of the Nepalese influence on this area, like their ability to create an enjoyable facimile of a western breakfast.

North of here there is also trekking, rafting and even snowboarding.. so if we can make that work somehow with our "budget" (a theoretical proposition mainly), we might do some of that.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Springs and sippin' on the sizzurp.