India Day 15: "Domestic Traveling"

India Day 15: "Domestic Traveling"

Today we are bound for India. We got to the airport early and were astounded by what we saw. Goats, cows, chickens, all prodding around a half build building. After a quick security massage we're in. There were no electronic billboards and most of the announcements were in Nepalese. We manage obtain our boarding tickets which are little slips with advertisements on them. We pick our own seats when we board, apparently. Security to the gate consisted of a nod from a very bored looking uniformed person. They DID have Wifi routers but no internet connected to them. We the filed on to old busses to be ferried out to our aircraft. No safety coddling here, I almost ran into the stationary prop after ducking under the wing. Yikes. Ben and I scurried because we wanted seats on the left side of the plane to catch a glimpse of Mt. Everest. We were all settled into our small flyin mobile and we started to taxi to the runway when we noticed that we were turning around. "Ladies and gentlemen" chimed a barely distinguishable voice over the intercom, "we have just learned that our destination airport is still closed. Please exit the plane for 10 minutes before we resume takeoff."  The incredulous look on Bens face made the whole ordeal worth it. We all exited the plane and walked back to the bus, but before the last person climbed in they called us back to the plane. I guess someone called and reminded our airport that their 1 of 2 daily flights would be landing as scheduled, daily... Sadly the small Nalepese airlines was more customer friendly than most US airlines. While we flew we saw it!! Everest! A

mazingly, poking up from the clouds and level with our plane.

 After landing we bused to the border and were the only ones to walk across the mile long bridge, separating both countries. It was a fun experience and we felt like backpackers crossing a remote mountainous border. 

Our drive up to Dargiling is one of the most beautiful trips I've ever taken. Pictures don't do it justice. 

We start going through a huge mountain pass though we don't go through it we start ascending the mountains. Up and up, three hours in fact, all up hill. We are going OVER the mountains only they don't end. Several false peaks, roads along ridges, and entire towns built on the steep slopes. We are again awestruck. It is cool and green up here and as we continue to climb we are above the rain storm that had been following us. Mountain faces appear and disappear amongst the floating heavens.

The moist air begins to thin noticeably up here at 7,500ft. Up and up we go, our jaws open the whole way. In the history of me, I've never seen a place so beautiful. Breathtaking, absolutely breathtaking. We arrive at our destination late, it's an Indian resort town with steep and narrow streets. The town is situated on a ridge that drops off precipitously on both side. If one miss stepped, they could literally fall for an eternity. It's raining and foggy, no, we're in the clouds, a welcomed change from the stifling heat. We are able to find a nice hotel and pray for clear weather tomorrow to see the sights.   I wish everyone could experience this place.