I join for the random assortment of guests dining out together at The Green House. Most of us are post-peak but some are yet to climb. This manages to engender a little conversation but its hardly flowing like water. We have Czech, French, Italian, English, US, Japanese ("Yeah the earthquake place yeah!" he joked) and Medecine sans Frontieres workers amongst us. However they are communications and admin so I can't glean anything juicy out of them really. I brought a candle for ambience. It helps to fixate on something as the conversation dries up like a pond. So one mediocre curry and several fireworks down the valley late I'm in bed early with everyone else.
The next day I set out walking and come across a tiny Hindu temple. Their New Year's Day ceremony is in full swing. I am invited into proceedings and Bhindi'd and given the chance to take lots of photos. Then my paws are filled with temple sweet meats. The temple holy man busies himself with a whole lotta candles inside and at one point brings out a sacred flaming coconut for hands to be cleansed over. One man touches me like a lucky charm which is slightly embarassing as I am clearly mainly here to gawp not to convert. I leave feeling very lucky.
Later I run into a Czech couple who are waterfall hunting. I join them and he flags down a passing van to get a lift and we pile in with 12 Sri Lankans going on a picnic. We wind into the tea plantations for what seems like forever. And then, miles away, the waterfall! Leap out to look and then back in. "Fishing hut!" they are very excited as we follow the fish signs into the green wilderness. "Fishing hut!" Is it a joke? we have driven miles. Mr Czech shrugs dramatically "Sorry!" he apologises. "No problem", I offer. "I got in!" It seems we are off to the remotest location possible with a bunch of strangers. If we break down or roll the bus we won't be found for days.....The roads are narrow and ridiculous and hilarity ensues as one of the women thinks the Czech man's girlfriend is our daughter together. Oh god, how old do I look? She is clearly around 20. We get there and get out and the gate is locked. We spill out and they share their food with us on the road side. Straight away it rains and we try and cram back in, curry flies and umbrellas are everywhere. The old guy is offering me booze. Its chaos. We bundle back and the old guy breaks into song. They love a song and they love to chat, its a steady burble and clapping too. Then its the Czech Republic on the spot to sing. It's too sombre and they lose interest. Then England gets called in so I belt out an old folk song. Bizarrely they love it and whoop and clap and cheer raucously, rattling the van. Then we are at our junction and we spill out on the road again.....saying our goodbyes.....
The next day I set out walking and come across a tiny Hindu temple. Their New Year's Day ceremony is in full swing. I am invited into proceedings and Bhindi'd and given the chance to take lots of photos. Then my paws are filled with temple sweet meats. The temple holy man busies himself with a whole lotta candles inside and at one point brings out a sacred flaming coconut for hands to be cleansed over. One man touches me like a lucky charm which is slightly embarassing as I am clearly mainly here to gawp not to convert. I leave feeling very lucky.
Later I run into a Czech couple who are waterfall hunting. I join them and he flags down a passing van to get a lift and we pile in with 12 Sri Lankans going on a picnic. We wind into the tea plantations for what seems like forever. And then, miles away, the waterfall! Leap out to look and then back in. "Fishing hut!" they are very excited as we follow the fish signs into the green wilderness. "Fishing hut!" Is it a joke? we have driven miles. Mr Czech shrugs dramatically "Sorry!" he apologises. "No problem", I offer. "I got in!" It seems we are off to the remotest location possible with a bunch of strangers. If we break down or roll the bus we won't be found for days.....The roads are narrow and ridiculous and hilarity ensues as one of the women thinks the Czech man's girlfriend is our daughter together. Oh god, how old do I look? She is clearly around 20. We get there and get out and the gate is locked. We spill out and they share their food with us on the road side. Straight away it rains and we try and cram back in, curry flies and umbrellas are everywhere. The old guy is offering me booze. Its chaos. We bundle back and the old guy breaks into song. They love a song and they love to chat, its a steady burble and clapping too. Then its the Czech Republic on the spot to sing. It's too sombre and they lose interest. Then England gets called in so I belt out an old folk song. Bizarrely they love it and whoop and clap and cheer raucously, rattling the van. Then we are at our junction and we spill out on the road again.....saying our goodbyes.....
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