The saga continues

Well, after 5 days without electricity but with intense cold in Darjeeling, Mom and I descended down the mountain to prepare for her departure. We stayed at a very interesting, very black-mold infested, hotel in Siliguri. But since there was 1) electricity, 2) warm weather, and 3) foam mattress beds...we were very happy.

I ended up flying out about 15 minutes before mom did. Our original plan was for me to drop her off, watch her fly away, then head over to the train station and take the overnight train down to Calcutta. However, three things happened. First, there was a major bombing of a train in Western India. Very far away, but I know my father and know that he would have flown all the way from the US just to kick my butt. Second, I had been given many lectures by my Indian friends about the dangers of train travel alone (although I kind of enjoy it). Third, the flight to Calcutta was so delayed at the airport that I would be leaving after mom anyway. Didn't totally work out like that, but at least it was close.

It was very hard to say good bye to mom. She has been an amazing travelling companion during these past four weeks. More amazing than all the OTHER travel buddies I've had. So ladies and gentlemen, if you ever need to go on a trip somewhere...take her! Although be prepared for her to ask you to tie her shoes once in a while as a sign of respect.

So I'm now down in Calcutta. Its warm--low 80's as compared to the 20's and 30's of Darjeeling--and I've been spending most of my time sleeping (had a fever the last two days) and working on a paper for my committee. I am heading to breakfast to meet a friend of a friend and then head to the West Bengal State Archives for a few hours. Then back to the hotel, nap and shower, then out to a movie with some other friends. Luckily, I love Bollywood films (ok, not all of them...but some are brilliant). We're going to see Guru tonight.

Don't have much else to report here. I'm heading back up to the Darjeeling area on Sunday. I have a few things to pick up before I go all the way up the mountain, but then I should be there for the next few months. I so prefer Darjeeling to anywhere else (it is home afterall!), and I don't really like to leave unless overwhelmingly compelled to do so.

That's it. I'm off to Park Street for breakfast. Stay well and keep the emails coming. I can often read them, but not respond!

Chelsea

SNOW!!!

Well, we woke up yesterday morning to three inches of snow! It is bloody awful cold, but it was beautiful. It snowed about 4 years ago so you can imagine the excitement. Well, the children were excited. Those of us who had laundry hanging out and woke up to find it frozen were not quite so happy about it. Luckily I have a gas heater and cranked that thing up. It was about 52 degrees in my room after a while, but we decided not to leave the house. Happy Valentine's Day to us!

Since the snow was so heavy, we didn't have electricity for over a day. I am working off a generator right now, so I'll make this message brief. Once it comes back on more regularly, I will post photos of the snow.

They also had some over in Kathmandu for the first time in 63 years: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070214/india_nm/india287711;_ylt=Apz_npIeVzySemg9gVri2V7MWM0F

Well, we are off. Its only about 34 degrees where I'm emailing and my fingers can't type any more. I'm taking mom down to the airport on Monday, and then I'll be down in Kolkata for a few days. My police approval finally came through, so I'm officially allowed to do research once I have the papers in hand! YAY!

Quick update

Well, I'm in the process of moving into my new flat. For the next few days, I'm staying in one room just next door because my landlord's son is visiting from Nepal. Until he leaves (around the 17th), I'll be in the one room. Once I do shift over and decorate, I'll be posting a few photos so you all can see where I live. In the meantime, these should do:

View south from my balcony

Me on the balcony to the north

View of mountains from Darjeeling

View from the street between my house and town