I think I am addicted to Indian barber services

So I was walking through town today coming back from the store and I thought to myself, maybe I need a hair cut. I just got one 2 weeks ago, but for 30 rupees ($.75) why not stay trimmed up right? SoI went in to one of the many barber shops in town and my man went to work. 15 minutes later after a cut, stright razor trim around the edges and a head message I was done. But I needed to shave tonight so I thought what the heck, why not let a professional do it. So for 20 rupees more, I got the cleanest shave of my life. Including all of the menthol facial massage, aftershave and the works. I know what you might be thinking. Straight razor shave in India, doesn't seem to hygenic or safe. I assure you, they use a fresh blade everytime. So for $1.50 including tip I get a 40 minute mini man spa. What an escape!!! So I feel like this might have to be a every 2 or 3 week ritual. Anyway, I just wanted to confess my new found addiction. Here's a shot from my last cut.

Rockin' Rishekesh!! (subtitle: Rishekesh, The Realer India!)

Situated on the banks of the holy Ganga Ma (Ganges River) in the last foothills of the Himalaya lies Riskikesh, one of the holier cites in India. It is a picturesque city full of interesting and beautiful temples, saddhus, beggars, touts, and tourist traps a plenty. A nice weekend away from Woodstock for a few of us snowballed into a 24 person expedition. All in all it worked out pretty well considering the numbers. We arrived at our hotel about 10:30 pm to find they did not honor our reservation, no hotel rooms for us. Alex was able to workout a deal with a resort near there for 5 rooms at 500 rups/night ($12.50). Split 3 ways thats not too bad. You have to remember I get paid an Indian teachers salary (read not much), so I have to start learning to live on an Indian budget. So $12.50 is a decent amount of money. Anyway, once we got to the resort we ralized we got a pretty good deal. Manicured lawns, beautiful landscaping, and a pool. Yes, A POOL!!! A huge luxury in this part of the world, needless to say I couldn't resist. Here is our palace the evening we arrived.Walking through Rishikesh that first day opened my eyes to what India is like outside of out protected mountain town. Rishikesh seemed much more of an authentic Indian experience than Mussoorie. First, Riskikesh is a pretty touristy place. It is a very spiritual place, it is the gateway to this section of the Himalayas, well known for many yoga ashrams, and just a neat place to hangout. So my pale face stood out like a beacon of dollar signs to the touts, beggars and shopkeepers. It really isn't that bad once you get used to it, the worst is walking past a small child giving you the sad eyes of hunger. Which 99% of the time is a ploy to put money in his drunk, wife abusing fathers pockets. Here is a good shot of the upstream bridge across the Ganga. This get away was a well need break from work, Woodstock and Mussoorie. Don't get me wrong, I love it here but every once in a while you need a break. Not only that I am in India to see India, Rishikesh was a great start to those explorations. Many more to come.

Here is a cool shot of a snake charmer. I was really scared/impressed by the way he handled these extremely poisonous snakes. That is until he allowed my friend to wrap both of the snakes around her neck. So I figured the snakes were defanged and devenomized. This suspicion was never confirmed but they had to be, right?


The insturment he was playing was really cool. It sounded like a bagpipe to me.

Freedom in the hills!!!!

Today I borrowed a friends scooter and took off on a mini road trip. Despite cloudy, misty and foggy weather I braved the crazy mountain roads, Tata trucks, and the occasional cow and got out into the surrounding mountains. No spectacular pictures to speak of, that will have to wait until the clouds clear. But it was great to get out of the sometimes stifling hillside community that is Woodstock and see some of the Indian countryside. I cannot wait to get my own set of wheels so I can set off on a Friday afternoon with my camping gear and explore the amazing mountains and communities spread out in this region of India. The potential is limitless, the scale of the mountains and valleys here are spectacular. I was giddy with anticipation as I rounded each curve in the steep mountain road. I came across a group of guys fixing a landslide that took out part of the road, they were very excited to get their picture taken and rushed to the camera to see themselves once I took the shot. After that it was off to the chai shop for a spot of tea and aloo masala chapati (a scrumptious flat bread with potatoes and masala spices). Then back home in thick fog and rain. Sorry for the lack of pictures but I was just so excited to be out and about that I neglected to stop for many shots. Believe me when I get my own bike and monsoon ends you will be with me on all of my countryside adventures, of which there will be many.

Jaye He India!! 60 Years of Independance

On August 15th India celebrated 60 years of independence from British rule, and Woodstock School celebrated along with them. Wearing my fancy new tailor made Indian garb, Kurta pajamas and Nehru vest I gathered with the Woodstock staff and students to raise the flag and sing the Indian national anthem. Well OK try to sing the Indian national anthem, of course we sang it in Hindi, which I haven't quite mastered yet (OK well not even close). After the celebration we ajoured to the quad where numerous Indian culinary delights where being served by vendors from the local town. Such yummies as dosas, roti, and kebabs, and of course chai(tea). However this time it was served in handmade clay cup in traditional Indian style. You are supposed to toss the cups when you are done but I chose to keep mine as a souvenir. For the rest of the day I helped with the employee lunch. On Independence Day all of the employees (support staff-kitchen help, sweepers, peons(yes, this is their title), chukars, coolies, etc.). Basically the people who make this place run are given the day off to enjoy with their families. We (the rest of the staff) serve them and their families lunch, as much as they can eat. And man did they eat. It was a world wind event of over 400 people served in 3 settings. I felt good giving back to the people who truly make this place run as smoothly as it does.

Monsoon is still in full swing, however, we did get a wonderful respite today. Waking up to beautiful sunny shine and blue skies. On the walk to school I had to stop a few times to bask in the early morning rays. You never know, it could be a while before I see that beautiful, life giving orb of hydrogen again. Well everyone, take care. Keep the comments coming I love them.

Soggy, Monsoon Memories

Hello all, just checking in and posting a few more pictures. First week of school is successfully behind us. Not too much to report from this end, just slowly getting into the swing of things. Trying my best to embrace the bittersweet monsoon, but I will be ready for the end, in a little over a month. Here are a few more random pictures to keep you interested. One is of me at flag hill, a candid shot. The other is of my fellow staff members. Stay tuned.

Porch Vista

So another glimpse of the startling beauty that surrounds us was agian offered yesterday afternoon. The clouds cleared during the afternoon to offer views that are out of this world. Both of these pictures are taken from my porch at Suncliff (name of my house). Underneath the clouds in the distance is the Doon Valley, about 15 km as the crow flies, and about 4000' lower in elevation.

The landscape of this area is amazing. Many more pictures to come.

Dentistry, Indian Style

So yesterday, I got my first real taste of Indian medical care. I went to the dentist to have a wisdom tooth removed. I have been having a problem with said tooth for a month or so, but I figured to would just wait till I got to India to take care of it. I heard about the very adequate dental care available in India so I thought I would give it a try. That and I maxed out my dental from my last job. All in all it was as good of an experience as one could expect from getting a wisdom tooth yanked. The dentists office is an interesting sight, modern enough yet weird in a small and slightly outdated way. Clean though, and that is what is most important. Half hour later I was walking out with a prescription and orders to not open my mouth thus removing pressure from the gauze wad jammed in the socket for an hour. A day later I feel almost as good as new. Thanks Dr. Thakral. Two thumbs up!!

Himalayan Sky of Fire

Remember those amazing views that sometimes occur during monsoon. When the clouds offer us a small glimpse of our beautiful surroundings. Well it happened again tonight. A few friends and I where walking back from a little staff BBQ to witness this amazing sunset towards Mussoorie. Check it out...

What else can I say?

I Made It!!! What a long strange trip...

I arrived in Delhi on July 21st at 2:30am, 4 hours later than our scheduled arrival. This delayed arrival time can be attributed to 2 different 2 hour delays while sitting on the runway in NYC and London. Making an already long 16 hour flight even longer. Never the less we arrived in the crazy Delhi airport to find that one of my bags never made it (it finally came yesterday, 1.5 weeks later). Finally made it to the hotel at 4:00ish to find out that jetlag is a bitch. Please don't think I am complaining, lets just say I am venting a bit. Spent a day in Delhi, crazy traffic, tons of people, and HUMID. Not to bad for a Tennessean, but I felt for my new Canadian co-workers and friends. A day later we hopped an Indian train for Dehra Dun, the largest metropolitan area to my new home of Mussoorie. After that is was a crazy hour drive 30km and 4400' up into the mountains to Mussoorie. By crazy I mean a narrow road built into the side of the Himalayan mountains, with more switchbacks than you can count, random cows, and EVERYONE trying to beat their neighbor up or down the mountain. You gotta see it to believe it. Upon arrival in Mussoorie the monsoon was in full swing, amazing mountains vistas obscured by thick, billowing clouds. Once in a while the clouds break to offer those limited yet still amazing mountain vistas I was referring to. While these views are a fraction of what we will be seeing once the monsoon subsides, they are still inspiring and a wonderful reminder of the natural beauty that abounds in this part of the world. Stay tuned...