Below are my favorite photos from my time in and around Dharamsala.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidN4mvBzdpYX-xy29xHuxaphzeGR6x2Pne85xr8V56VlFurTPgeVw_PjdeSpuJRq-KUCXwEZzMGV762sZREERMelpQ1kdPjiLnxfuMILRu_J1u5S_t1cwqfal67lIqmNSzTAi3pLDeFoI/s400/DSC05303.JPG) |
McLeod Ganj, a suburb of Dharamsala, is in the Himachal Pradesh state of India.
At 6800 ft, the hill city is surrounded by a dense coniferous forest of Deodar cedars. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUT5kgABo5WoFl5VFA8thoDffYCOJ2-pDH7KEnu7_rKcNM-snFcpkeG8ywdbpmPX4IbJ7t34KF5DlyfUJAAB6bvmDhWvK6ohMSYz97JoNh8qANxgymEwjrwa-xHwzDnyGTSA5wTW0NOtc/s400/DSC05202.JPG) |
The colorful buildings are stacked one on top of the other.
Navigating the steep terrain requires a good set of lungs. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeITyg5kw555WfPrlj1qQaL5A9j6iHsBC49D4S1GDBkd_B7MhU_Z0-Ltc9ItXHmRGjm_vJYZzBrdzpqgGyW1IRvdxSA85fkJPmGrJoxS6BRYohCCyeSLrhSQ8_1BB-lfOrUEtwM3t54Cw/s400/DSC05311.JPG) |
An up-close view; it's all in the details. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghgvEb7hSB54msF5a5xb6i5n-vw3HDK7AXqhHS5i7uZ78fClzdV0GiSI3D5Wu-b9WUbfsT2YoYmsqCKi9UgVYAuxLfeUQJ9rSkLKFeqeNd946iHKu0a-ZelZs4KkBYy7cFN6vFFmPSDs/s400/DSC05323.JPG) |
I was fascinated by the entryways, many which are inscribed
with the occupant's name, house number, and case number. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCnoJQ0iXLxyaPCvZ6Gk5s58Jl8t7v6aXv5dtfMPfxc5uPxhVi83JaD6TaRrKd7cUhbCRsKTNwCFD3lhyphenhyphenS749jXsRv1FYDtwf8yFH4ak-1jypOUWMYbj0GghycOA4IVvgoBdT755IYgA/s400/DSC05208.JPG) |
This building was being constructed next door to the building where I rented a room.
It was fascinating to watch the construction;
it made me wonder how the buildings would fare in an earthquake. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscXWI3qQjuMyWvHdm8ka9ID-gMAoIfrFb0yofequkCy7lAQMbas02_s-wysl7E2oNdXVcl4af0DMGtuMt2omJ3e542f2MQ7PXSt1BdfJN3b649cbsoAYAIIbbIvHVGs150lENPhNJLJ0/s400/DSC05297.JPG) |
The Main Square is alive with constant hustle & bustle.
If you stopped and watched for awhile, you noticed a rhythm to the chaos.
Crossing the street was like momentarily walking
through a massive group dancing The Macarena. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6obBMMK1HFr31xggm9O30GSg_wKLg7P7tdnD0fFwP3sWTeQkfwgnKbLwzXWxaGF0CkOU4-1DVOBXiYETtZIQGwVKS5Cz6eJ228agYSpOtaAbRF-DYVlxNH6BuKRr0ZgcXGQIS9Wp5Qw/s400/DSC05199.JPG) |
The streets are narrow, which makes traffic an exercise in exactitude.
The drivers are incessantly polite honkers.
and well-skilled in navigating the svelte streets;
the automobiles show few scars from passing battle wounds. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TRyQ7F-gpgmRAWm8fCzwZQgODqoKcrFBCwzfUcPTliNXvy7jYcq9cMACwBzK7nYWQ2hLk2v75CACQAGCXAXBYVBeTZhKk35HtRYW0YhSv7zc85Wx34cA8oCRGBS2MSjXklekoxGQdRc/s400/DSC05182.JPG) |
I am glad I did not bring my bicycle on this trip to India.
It was complicated enough navigating
amongst the wheeled and foot traffic on my own two feet.
I did take to a lot of the two-wheeled motorized vehicles, though.
The Royal Enfields, of which there were many, are gorgeous. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkhjuTpgWt0W7o_6QSO17uPj0-zazrtCgPy2ViGn4uRdG7F9VQ-E5tNY_VVT5rQKS82IusCyDMmstGuIKdglI8hRpvgvFna-xpUUbtJ92ZwHb9I300l7rz2mpLq8BPh-qnuVvZsT64aA/s400/DSC05126.JPG) |
This image of a tuk-tuk next to the Shiva billboard is classic. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NfpRvnF96_eHBNsYNHp4tL6SiMon6DtfhtTQyHCn9JsRS93iOKvEHOO-A7Bykc5eU6ylTpNcx70b129vL25k7Z1FYxZqzmuJhHVI0_iUbhJXzujMYz2eVAxqIx2bzjeM7ajS_p0KM2k/s400/DSC05275.JPG) |
Food trucks are popular in the Pacific Northwest, where I live.
So I chuckled when I saw this food truck. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5E8kYkDRQcgCEIvaruoGO_KJeeH2fv1cW7Fttll_oJS4Aq6x7BLyWGtu_W89G2n-LxoCiWy3I_7oKLo7Ub_YWhwiPHYu2KTPPlFheTa0bF4FE5duiqhJrUwjDbivJc3nDgIEhW10_AQ/s400/DSC04583.JPG) |
Not all street food was as appealing.
This man was trying to keep his momos from getting soggy. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0yx5eFLN_49vz2Md8i9RhIcvg4CQpfl8K8bcqOebHFR5s4f223PVuldI9Rncr6hh1x3j1pWiPqrFEhyphenhyphenD4Xctv-T9-S8Fk22yIxsbDqORmRjzCFxR3lsCPMarKumdCY-oKaKssfEIDhpk/s400/DSC05356.JPG) |
I loved the name of this road-side cafe.
I asked the proprietor why he chose to name his shop "Cafe by Mistake."
In his broken English, he replied that he liked the sound of it. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XC8MMDzAshw2h4CdGwMZP6rFOhj3S8TfVASLc4lcIANW-mgVvkN18LKkms0NcBcS7jEa0L74mTVv-fvjSprBO43SWqrCRD64b3ByEcvNX6TLRs_QUqNCJKZFiZghavwq3gDW3SbeWig/s400/DSC05198.JPG) |
Of all the possible franchises,
I was surprised to see a Pizza Hut in McLeod Ganj.
These men sure were enjoying themselves outside the pizza joint... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxifc-X_sZVQhSpDbhBGPIK2t22q6SEOziQWy_QgZ0wq03S3ZlGvjr16NoWTJX1WNVU-oSdTCHTesDCXqqe8kEMv4v-X8Tmt8agaPI8R3792ltVgvnTQzwfQkukjjpwCnC1eCTRGdp3OM/s400/DSC05344.JPG) |
...while around the corner, this Tibetan woman rested
on the step of another establishment. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMC6o3SC7jI4PvVwZqtD3VS41xQmXuVuCTZpdafmGN5AIX4ColnwNjdknTo9Bcs12T6inb546XLJU-ITPOFQ4ioIatomijuhyphenhyphenzWqjOoi-rMa7wNZ_tQ3rqPFbvw4kOlN1Yf_hpi9h4otk/s400/DSC04604.JPG) |
I loved seeing the Tibetans and Indians
co-existing together in harmony. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliIPg9jyyEIbmB4RrztuCOQSYoyhYFuG9QeZUUSIMS6yOQOpkTe9FmG5U6DVAlJEpVOhAuGIrrMzLufKnKgFJRWiilZLEbWTIn7l99rnJxxBJnUuhJSDjdB603yrvi77yv_1OqZX6I98/s400/DSC05230.JPG) |
Those requesting alms were congregated outside
the Dalai Lama's temple. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobq0rTYBhPUD15jlsH7EWTO8aMMGc7U3QshU_sWUR43OzFVEmIhs6GXUupVN64V-8kE4MyQ2koY5_ItwvcWdhjpx-wQCXjnpGfgeXCYYpq6Uz6504waZLHh4fbjefehkGOu18k-IiLpg/s400/DSC05246.JPG) |
The people-watching was fantastic.
Oh, the hair! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfGBcsHQQ7n9nSj4yuhQbp_bIXevulKF5ibiqzqYdXFR-h4XnYqkHZqpmvFCD3-RUtWw4US4MxY7VN7LQhdr3NO3PGXvssqH8Aww3ZHk26LxjBzcd8AwwjkHhWbrIV-Vxs8RBJXa4r94/s400/DSC05000.JPG) |
My friend, Ron, (of Baja, road trip, and Warm Shower fame)
and I had a few days of overlap together in Dharamsala,
as Ron traveled to India to take the yoga course after mine.
It was fun to hang out with a familiar face.
Here Ron does his best to dress like a local. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9YRxUoqhAQd2cDll0YQnAdP6G94pV5wujLrWSRi9P7lciX0XgyDJK8WxOhLXWzkBrdEe-CMY1Z6RIRVhVyvfWzwN07J9B-aVh7i7XZgjgYdCS5BziiHb8Nn0Sjy6v0d5zA2-gj_9yGk/s400/IMG_20180420_194135422.jpg) |
On occasion, I donned the local headwear as well. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUITyhZ2XOhRpcI4DY9YHM_nfDwdMAx21mKgajVn2p2iDPZbUSld05QqqAm24OXLJK8MS21VkGeuWpn_gtRn8EmXDD2cuTUdBnWpsKfYRpiuXeq8zOyZ7VFPhSpJb-zNDEHfTQy7r_e4/s400/IMG_20180423_070658302.jpg) |
Traveling has a wonderful way of providing for lifelong friendships.
This is me and Lisa.
Though our paths crossed for only a few days, we were besties for all those days. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnjC6cqXbZXmW8fljDDdDpt4aIPa-CG-P53mtKA3RzYdmeJd80UXjsiA8Cqk9JH2rp3DaoY8Q73OzZFPl5Rw57873g-pgih1vZlkF0823mrjWbtO_hSIEnH4yvvkV6AspKnA-VX-EOnw/s400/DSC05032.JPG) |
This map shows all the best hikes and treks in the nearby mountains. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippJjmAKi52YCmYwmLNKN9qRWMODIJVFMetxQNaoODviT-uHSCWrE8ExUQFDAczZroaq3dE38ImMY4dwbigoi09KvhFZ9pskOR1W8H-KoPBdnZxsmK_opLO-uRMTqoNwAOpmFJMZgN8Jc/s400/DSC04585.JPG) |
I loved the way this doggie looked at me.
It was hard to tell if his head was cocked,
or whether the dog's head was straight and the sidewalk was cocked. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaauhymTLt48n9ctul19_RBBAoXCnwKZopC6jcHkeINT-4Ekf8ULzRUE479LEwkCu46OcUsDi8IMxadUgEWvvxthQyBtHAVOmKDQJQP_HQmgUsU8nEqMdcEggb_PW9iqpBFVzrJJxMdb0/s400/DSC05086.JPG) |
These street dogs have definitely found their space --
on a comfy pile of roadside sand. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpTvo4-56QLKvD0XMqk3b7SDUGPdH9H0OEvC0b8PQMqusKXYz0eLm4iVfDNnEJxjfdP6m8t-eyAp2AfQ8rws9NkfOHI6wuBmZMWVm0wgVC2THtp3H1VZPi-75YWUfovj9chN8U7uH3LI/s400/DSC05193.JPG) |
This structure shares little resemblance to the Hard Rock Cafes back home. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eJbCOStpTURS8Rj-pByLGslyDeh1YqTQEXCpuWYPxztOUDYEuoXvS-jqBYEdAkA6P8tMFX4MZdZb9Rq8czUHVmDFn9WtSEm2auiqJSuR-xtudgtQclFt-1ONfnPndCxrleQEdD-EL0k/s400/DSC05269.JPG) |
I love this wine shop,
whose inventory consisted of beverages... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3ZyrRfZymncE3xZPXJ_a7AeUpcJjwVM65uTZszaP5Wl_WB-mesbLjcy4sGDvboFTjfHBBzSSJB9nQRCL0LyrJ21j3bmjJi0oH-gJuqnP0hpCKTgacHR2Dcl2igNFYU-oq6-KWM2Dr9Q/s400/DSC05270.JPG) |
...and toilet paper.
There's no better combo than wine'n'TP. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEike1zvTYe2k_rYqlx-4sKe-BtCxYSgK9MNy3R8wK1ifbV59nyfe9y7Ltt_gS1wS61_kNG78DbZAO6lrbWmr3BNlqiUny7c8mj7nuYMDObEZmPWrWkbQX7NAIFNXbNvJvIg4MQhj1a4jlc/s400/DSC05117.JPG) |
Golly gee wilikers, is that a Little Free Library?
Be still my beating heart, why yes it is! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-6SWTzosXyGvwdUPKSrVXzs4Aosi8wbA7eeVw6zeeuS7WOedlylG7qPD9AdRAtHpGA7KZ3c1ZDl9rM7PRwuaWAyTXsrIQyrLO9hEo5P0U-aRF7pl2eznOalqDQqN5osEQcBBddrjVcI/s400/IMG_20180408_180439281.jpg) |
Look at all the treatments -- specific and non-specific alike!
I'll take a #5 and a #9, please. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhKfHY5GfCRrzib9KYBWAbZUVVOPBwPMSM-WQdBM1tXZfgtrWdi8qhMmxrUmd76ufujzV1lgfSbd8RRflKHDe0lqqEOZT0S7RN4T65n24pY0cTDoQ6_yjzjn1HhEL61WpZ4R7g7En78o/s400/DSC05207.JPG) |
Rows'n'rows of roadside-can't-live-without trinkets were available for purchase. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGp9aMwwMiy_KMpdZw-TB3vPq8w2CH1KZuaObuhsBFOj5Pq8vlwx_3cx80FrqUumQwc2iuGHUPPQChosHt6Y-X9PBGceVP74d-Zf5_EfSO87eihG6_ypSDyGqYmZ8wPVr3Fcdhfed7l8/s400/DSC05250.jpg) |
I passed this lovely family dozens of times.
That sat on the side of the road, day-in and day-out, earning their pay.
Dad played the music, mom sang, and the children beamed their ear-to-ear grins. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGeXwRiLMFXI7-7JYZoIdyxo_ivzozpNiEvT1Wr-DshUxE5PVFrHQOU2rULh5FN9V0jxkfynEOycypMScGTAUOjfgFcv1YKxMOoJQGUut6McYlu7kMOXSWv37j7bmx9TpcefUYXVfi3o/s400/DSC05181.JPG) |
The playgrounds weren't the most appetizing... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe98WyDaJCa5kfzufa2r4BNhkMrDY3CyBlvGPdhTz40bcdQPk1JGNk3xq9NvXBppRtnFN3RMb9nxOxzw_DEF1wvhfEok1dcy0wZ9ckG8CAyQN6gwCzoWjrF1eK14NmsSkJRPoWWw2W7Lg/s400/DSC04582.JPG) |
...nor were the dumpsters. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMZUqh5zclJeK08OX7C6gRdOsetNvB6XG52isRJCdLs6ithJjFjdtNrQPU5MW-ikxRXDsoaX6ayIJnboWU209M8PjaRbvrQX9kh49jnlaISTO7ZeAn5R0qdY8wXC_LZWJBxvRJ4oN6tY/s400/DSC05088.JPG) |
This dumpster, up the road from the Common Ground Cafe,
provided a dependable source of entertainment;
there was always a troop of monkeys picking through the smokey rubble. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_4MF9jfNSlOuQuDyREblF8cMzp0EHMjtmkaZGvpATjmLbEQDI8wO1sQN6FXBG0fJOAyuM1MGRXwLdxKqeDRVg60eyn7aY3yppZfPRD0SpHo7wFcjzB1MutPwDTnEvWqZtrXRBYV9plY/s400/DSC05104.JPG) |
I loved this mural... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4P8xCENgjKPMfWubcUX1-Pzugvc1EWaHRzQM6tBQ_LOBJmlRzI52uGuz9p8WFfWmWzDWxWMGoh8PLFssqBfW6CyJgFNyMfL-JxCtOf1aB6GZDdidV0u3IOqT6NWDiLte_qgQ1QvmK5k/s400/DSC05247.JPG) |
...as well as this wall, where no bills had been stuck. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22mcaQ7ix9ni3JAvJmT_vAVkzNkx3G3A_H2jJrzvd0vGsbehUhRD22chyphenhypheni0Ocn_kquqGme1FZE-VKvuFwrwhUUHGl1XZSP1D-g6NVKdZNVxsrZ-91hioHaDOVEBW-lr2jQL1oyPD8dVw/s400/DSC05353.JPG) |
Not all painted messages were observed... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJ00qEk9VoE78x9hVLOVHyzC6TCQyYsJhbjqaJqQIx16g-izszEVBtrSBU_S0qAicEzKc-geTfpxMyoGkjzPN6eGIb9AO3WLut0YFD6FIakn2-BFTWtECV-wUjyEG7vnMYDbLZ7lZHLU/s400/DSC05354.JPG) |
...but that doesn't mean all hope has been lost. |
Here are two other photo journals from my trip to India:
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