Kempty Falls Adventure

Phil did not tell the story of the Kempty Falls adventure. We had ended up walking all the way down to the far end of the Mussourie market and were trying to decide whether to head home or do something else when Phil suggested going to Kempty Falls. He thought it was only an hour walk from where we were - more walking was not something I was interested in with the heat. A quick conversation with a vendor revealed a taxi was a better option - he said it was a 3 hour walk! One way! We eventually found a taxi willing to do the trip and headed off. It was a long drive! Way around the back of the mountain and down, down down. No way this would be a 3 hour walk! We finally reached the destination which was a jam of parked vehicles taking up half the road, and madness on the other half as uphill traffic tried to take turns with downhill traffic using the single remaining lane. It is very interesting seeing a bus trying to back up along this sliver of road while people are walking all around it in all directions. The Falls were less than impressive, probably because it is the end of the dry season so the water is at its lowest. James described it as a good view of all the garbage - there was garbage strewn all over the hillside that the 'tourists' simple throw. About 15 minutes and we were ready for the return journey. This is when the flat tire occurred. Our taxi had 2 spares - unfortunately they were also both flat. A few vehicles stopped to see what was happening and one was a taxi just like ours. He volunteered his spare for us to use - I don't know if I have ever seen a tire with less tread than that one. As shown in the pictures, Merv assisted, and before long we were on our way again. It wasn't long until we heard this rubbing sound coming from the 'new' tire. After sticking his head out the window a few times while he drove, the driver declared it fine. I think the tire may have been separating or had a big bulge that was rubbing. In any case we continue driving along this winding MOUNTAIN road just waiting for something to go wrong. At least we were mostly going uphill where there is more control than driving downhill braking (That is another quirk they have - drivers shut off the motor to conserve gas and just ride the brakes going downhill. Their brakes have to be cooked!) It didn't help our state of mind that the road barricades along the side the road (separating us from the cliffs!) all looked like coffins. We finally made it to the top of the mountain where we were staying - one ride I was VERY glad to have over.

This picture actually looks way better than the tire did!

A Mountain School in Dhanolti

In the village of Dhanolti, we were walking around, trying to pick a chai shop for breakfast, when I herd some kids voices from up the hill a bit. I went climbing and found this 3 room school. Of course my appearance interrupted their classes but I was greeted with welcome smiles. I asked the teachers if I could take pictures and got some really cute kids. (Now of course, if this was in the US, I would have to get parental release from all these kids to take their pictures. Why do we make life so complicated?) As I'm taking these pictures, I'm always wondering what these kids are going to grow up to be? Our kids here in the west have sooo many more advantages and opportunities that we seem to take for granted. We have many blessings to be thankful for, like being born on the right continent!

These kids were in the middle grades.

This class was the older grades.

These kids were in the youngest grades.

Is she cute or what?!!!

What a smile! Love it.

These two are wondering what the heck I am doing.

Mussoorie & Surrounding Area

We spent 3 nights in Mussoorie, the only place on our itinerary where we didn't actually have a plan to do anything specific. No monuments or temples to see, just a chill out time before our final 48 hr marathon before heading home. These 3 days were good for our bodies as we had had several long days and short nights and needed some rest. Randy and I were both fighting a bit of a cold, James and Merv's stomachs were not 100%. Over the 3 days, we wandered down to the bazar a couple times, took a taxi to Kempty Falls one afternoon (as described by Randy above), took a tour of Woodstock School another morning. The only early morning we planned was a drive out to Dhanolti, a small village approx 25 km out in the mountains. The hope was for great views of the mountains but again, just like in Kathmandu, it was too hazy and smokey. There were several small forest fires in the area mucking up the air. Nevertheless, it was a great drive with some great scenery. By day 3, I must admit I was getting itchy feet, I was ready to get going. Or tour so far had been BANG - BANG - BANG and this aimless time was getting old.

The town of Mussoorie stretches out across the ridges of these mountains, approx. 6,500 feet above sea level.

The population of about 20,000 grows to around 100,000 during the summer months as people vacation here to escape the heat of the plains.

The Clock Tower, one of the landmarks in Mussoorie.

Merv, schocked to discover that it was actually here in India, not in the Southern USA as he had grown up believing! Go figure!!!

Love some of the signs. We weren't always quick enough with the camera to catch them all.

Jimmy, our vegetarian, attempts to sneak away with this cow.

Even the poorest of folks were always ready with a smile.

Fresh roasted corn-on-a-cob. Smelled great!

I am sooooo tired. I just want to go home!!!!

This is at Kempty Falls, another landmark around Mussoorie. The nice green manicured lawn to the right is actually scummy green water!

The view from the Falls.

Looking at Kempty Falls from across the valley.

Some one lost their lunch!!!!!!

Our taxi got a flat on the way back from Kempty Falls. Better on the way up then on the way down!

Merv helped change the tire and discovered the lug nuts were not as tight as he would have liked. He made sure the new ones were!!

Randy, hot and tired! It was only 34 C (94 F) instead of 43 C (115 F).

The daily collecting of water by the lady of the house. Never take your water tap for granted!

Drove out to Dhanolti, a small village about 25 km out into the mountains outside Mussoorie.

Some folks drive, others ride.

A lot of monkeys in this area. A lot of "dumpster diving"

This was actually a "Hotel". You could book one of the stripped tents as your room.The bigger green building was a restaurant.

A construction worker.

Randy got his sandals fixed here. They took out his old insoles and glued in new leather ones for $4 USD.

This little man was carrying a big load up a steep hill.

A very cool looking tree. Would have made some good climbing a few years ago!

Some more cute kids.

Another heavy load, using his head to bear the weight.

Woodstock School plus Our Accomodations

Ahhh, the memories this place brings back. I have heard lots of folks having nothing nice to say about their high school years. I, on the other hand, spent two and a half years here, from half of grade 10 in 1979 to graduation in June of 1982, and those are some of the best memories of my childhood. I had a blast in boarding school! I made a lot of lifelong friends who I consider family. Woodstock is an American based International Boarding School for boys and girls from K - 12 and is one of the best schools in India. About 95% of graduates go on to college or universities somewhere in the world. When I attended, about 2/3 of the students were from Europe and North America with 1/3 from India and Asia. These days, the mix seems to be about 1/4 from Europe and North America with 3/4 from India and Asia. It was and still is a fantastic place to attend school, mixing all different cultures and races and religions. If anyone wants to read more about it, here is the website. They do have a program called SAGE where students from USA go to Woodstock for either 1 semester or a full year. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to expand their kids views of the world and receive an excellent education at the same time. www.woodstock.ac.in/index.htm

The place we were staying is located at the very top of the mountain, approx 1,000 vertical feet up from these dorms. Needless to say, exercise is not an option, and there were very few "large" kids at school.

View of the dorms. Highschool girls on the far right, middle school girls in the round building, middle school boys just to the left of the round building, and high school boys at the very front of this picture. The actual school buildings are about 500 vertical feet up to the left of this picture.

The high school boys dorm, empty right now for renovations.

The blonde in the middle is Judy Crider, my dorm mom from 1980 - 82. Monica to the left, works in the school office.

Dana and Judy Crider, no longer dorm parents, We had an excellent visit. They were my "parents" at school for 2 and a half years. It was great to see them again.

The Crider's view from their front door.

Little Oscar, belonged to the family we stayed with. He was 4 months old.

Very cute and soft.

Bed time.

The house we stayed at. Our guest quarters were upstairs on the right.

Looking down at the yard.

The patio at the bottom of the stairs. Very quiet and peaceful with a great view.

Inside our place.

Just chillin'.

James and my beds.

James was very cold one evening. Turns out he had a mild fever! He was fine a few hours later.