Back from Trekkin, Hello Darjeeling!

Finally back in the city after a long week of trekking in the Himalayas (specifically on Kachanjunga, located in East Sikkim). This morning we said goodbye to Arthur, our contact in Sikkim who has been absolutely wonderful. He will be missed as we continue our journey.

It's great to be back in the city, taking bucket baths and sleeping in a real bed. ...Someone is doing our laundry as we speak! I think everyone is pretty excited to get some clean clothes on. We just arrived about an hour ago to our hostel, located just down the street. I noticed they had an amazing book selection from other travelers and I'm eager to check out the selection! other group members have been rummaging through local bookshops and finding some great reads as well. There are many westerners in Darjeeling (at least on this street). Darjeeling is much like Bangtok; steep roads packed with buildings, dogs running around on the streets, although it consists of a different, unique charm that we all have taken a liking to. We're close to Nepal and so many of the people are Asian in origin. many woman rep traditional Indian wear, whereas many of the men look more western in style. In Bangtok we went to a small place called Live and loud and listened to a cover band. We didn't stay long... We're half way around the world; who wants to hear the rock music we grew up on? Our drivers tend to play mostly western music from the early 2000's. It's weird to hear music from middle school when we're flying through Darjeeling back country.

So, a little review on our trek... The first day we walked 7 hours up steep terrain. We were exhausted by the time we got to camp, arriving just after the sun set. The second day was better, walking about 4 hours that day. There were many waterfalls and great views of the mountains around us, although they were difficult to see most of the time as it was pretty cloudy. A majority of the group came down with a cold, so on top of freezing nights, most of us could barely breathe and spent a good amount of time with tissue in hand. My fleece liner actually kept me pretty warm at night, but I heard from a few others that the sleeping bags could barely cut it. We're all finally recovering from out colds (discluding Amanda and Jeff, who just so happened to walk out healthy as ever.) Besides the sickness, being on the trek was awesome. The trails were mostly rocky and sometimes wood was laid out to keep us above mud. Our trip guides led pack animals up that carried most of the gear consisting of ponies and yaks. It was fun dodging animal poo all along the trail ;) For each meal, 3 meals a day with snacks, we had a cooking crew that whipped up some really delicious food. Typically we would be served our large meal and then a hot pot of milk tea (when we got sick they actually made us ginger tea).

Here in Darjeeling many of us went to the zoo/museum on mountain climbing, while others spent time taking in the charms of Darjeeling, sipping tea and taking in its many delights. Some of our group members also visited a local monastery.

We will be here for a few days and then head on to Calcutta (Kolkata). Hope everyone is well at home! I know a good majority of the group is starting to feel a little homesick, so know you are missed!

Much love!

-The group

Goodbye Gangtok

Hello Carpe Diem parents and friends,

Tomorrow the India group begins their six-day trek through the Himalayas. We are sad to be leaving Sikkim so soon but excited for the trip ahead.

Amanda Carnahan, one of the group members, is keeping here own blog on the trip. You can find her blogs at //thirdeyeactivist.blogspot.com/

Mama India

After a thirteen hour plane ride to Hong Kong, a six hour layover, and a four hour flight through Thailand, we arrived safely in Delhi. We spent two days jumping around the bustling city via cab and rickshaw, using the opportunity to buy Indian clothing and musical instruments as well as taking time for a peaceful respite in a local ashram. Delhi offered a wild and unreserved introduction to the many faces of Indian life, from the delicious food and chaotic marketplaces to the naked presence of homelessness and poverty. Our hotel in the Tibetan district provided a space for group orientation while we acquainted ourselves with the country and our fellow group members (including Tiana, who arrived on the last day).

While Jeff stayed in Delhi to search for Dylan’s bag, the rest of the group began a long trek towards Gangtok, Sikkim. A scenic drive through the mountainous northern region brought us to this large Himalayan town, where we met the host of our group home-stay, Arthur. Gangtok, which tumbles beautifully off its steep mountain face, seems rural and calm compared to Delhi. We learned about the history of the Sikkim region, attended a talk on the future of nearby Nepal, and met the owner of a local rug company that we will be working with for the next week. We are currently learning how to operate a loom, dye yarn, and perform the various other tasks involved in rug making.

In several days we will begin our three-day trek through the mountains. We give you our best wishes until the next entry, and hope you wish us a fulfilling and leech-free experience!

...And They're Off to Mama India!

With the exception of poor Dylan's bags being left behind in NYC by his domestic airline, and Tiana needing to meet up with the group in a couple of days due to a visa mishap, the India group is intact and ready to fly westward to the most amazing adventure any of them have yet had.

Look for more from the group members themselves in a couple of days!

p.s. FedEx will be delivering Dylan's bag to his doorstop in Delhi, no worries!

Countdown...

The countdown to takeoff for the Motherland of India is down to the fingers, and with that mounts starry-eyed excitement, flurries of butterflies, curiosities, concerns, etc. Even though we (your leaders Jeff & Amanda) have set out multiple times on these quests, we still feel the spectrum of these emotions in the lead-up to flying away from 'home'... we think of it as the billowing clouds around the rocket before launching into space.
We hope that this blog can serve as a bridge between our Carpe Diem group and you, all our friends and family, who have supported us along the way to make it to this juncture of 'leaping' into uncharted territories. Please stop by the blogsite often, and if all goes as planned, we'll have a weekly update on our adventures for you to travel along with us vicariously.
Thank you, and tune in again soon!

NAMASTE

To all those friends and family who have been following our blog we thank you for all your support and good wishes over the last 3 months. We have successfully wrapped up a full semester in India finishing off our "free" travel through the fresh air and beautiful trees of the lake district of Nainital to end up with an extended exploration of New Delhi. In New Delhi we stayed in a wonderful, calm, Tibetan community called Majnu Ka Tilla. From our little pocket in the north of Delhi we were able to properly see the historical sights the city has to offer. We showed off our skills at bartering transportation, in the markets and spent much of our time soaking in the culture of India and Tibet. Some continued to volunteer with Mother Teresa and the many children India has who need help. Some decided to volunteer with the local animal shelter and gained much perspective on the lives of lost animals in India. Some decided to educate themselves by diving into the World Heritage and Gandhi sites. We ate momo's and curry and prepared for our journey home. Each one of us has learned scores about the world, eachother and ourselves. Mother India has not only welcomed us into her arms but held us firm together as we tumbled across her land and then she sent us home with safety, protection and a few worldly lessons learned as we ended our journey peacefully.

Once again... Our love and appreciation to all of you who supported each of us during the last three months. This journey would not have been possible without you.
PEACE and NAMASTE.

Mcleod Ganj

"Where we love is home,
Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts."
Oliver Wendell Holmes

Nothing helps sooth the heart like some quality family time. After almost 2 and half months of traveling with no place to call our own, we found ourselves a home. For 8 days McLeod Ganj served us up a steaming plate of family lovin', which is exactly what we all needed. Our homestay began in the afternoon after the long journey from Amritsar. We had only a few moments to say goodbye to group members before we were rushed off by parents or elder siblings to our week long homestay. Tibetan families welcomed us with open arms into their homes of all shapes and sizes.
The week literally vanished before our eyes as each day was spent getting to know eachother better and accomplishing our various internships. Kathryn, Rozzi and I enrolled ourselves in yoga classes which provided a healthy and relaxing start to our mornings. We felt like yogi masters having already accomplished a prior week of yoga study at the ashram. Alex, who missed the Hindi classes due to tummy aches, decided to brush up on his Hindi and took classes each afternoon. Saorise independently branched out and did environmental volunteering, where she spent a day beautifying a local water fall by picking up trash. Bobby, Elaynna, Sarah and Laura took a several different massage courses. The girls satisfied their curiosity and interests through a 2 day program while Bobby took a 6 day course getting certified in Tibetan massage. Needless to say our internships were successful.
Outside of our classes there was still an abundance to learn. McLeod Ganj is known for being a home to Tibetan refugees. I spent three incredible afternoons at the Tibetan Hope Center involved in English classes. Classes such as these are amazingly beneficial to the community by improving local Tibetans English and furthering their connection with travelers. For an hour-and-a-half, myself and two Tibetans would talk about simply everything and anything. I heard long, emotional accounts of heart breaking choices to flee Tibet and the struggle to cross into India on foot. On lighter notes I discovered how many Tibetans had never tried Pizza and that most of their favorite foods consist of Momo's.
But we all know,
Mo momo's mo problems.

This past week was a perfect way to soak up the last bits of North Indian culture before beginning our free travel. McLeod Ganj provided many beautiful experiences for our group. Our enthusiasm for our homestays only increased as the days went by. Family relationships grew stronger as each of us started to truly feel at home in this small Indian/Tibetan town. Oliver Holmes was right, even though we are no longer physically in McLeod Ganj a piece of Carpe Diem's heart still beats there.

paz & amor
dev