Saddle Sore!

Today was a "10" in all ways.

We woke to sunny and cool weather..perfect for our ride. We met Jugindra and his son at 8 am and he had the ponies ready for us. "Nilly" and "Gahza" were saddled with old wood and metal saddles complete with a thin piece of leather to cushion our tushies. Their halters were made of rope...and no bit. No bit?!! How were we supposed to steer these noble steeds? By porter of course...ah, right. I should have known. Despite the fact that Jugindra and his son walked their ponies from where they live one hour from our meeting point, they were not only on time, but walked the entire way while "Queen Me" and "Princess Lily" rode...or rather were led. I have to say..it was a bit awkward. I kept thinking of the antiquated saddles..and literally the wood was broken in places...and the switch they used to keep the poor things on track. I am too sensitive for these things anymore I guess...not to mention my seat was just a bit uncomfortable. Multiply that with rugged terrain and 3 hours in the saddle...well, the price you pay for horseback riding in the Himalayas. Thankfully the scenery was breathtaking and the trail quiet lest the prayer bells tied to Ghaza's neck. The thick forest smelled of pine and dirt...not like the Vermont forest smell..but almost more mineral smelling. We reached the Galu Temple and "took rest" where we managed to have a cold orange soda and sat and talked to some nice folks who were trekking through. People from Arizona, California, Israel and other parts of India. Everybody was friendly. The point is remote enough that no cars can pass through and all supplies are packed in on the backs of mules. I still can't believe this still goes on in the world! The views are difficult to absorb they are so BIG. Golden eagles were soaring below us...how can that get any better?

The ride back to the stable was all downhill and the pony I was riding, Nilly, tripped a few times and almost fell. I asked Jugindra if it was because I was too fat for this pony! He assured me it was not because I was fat..just that Nilly was not paying good enough attention and of course I spent the rest of the ride thinking about all of the rice and bread I have been eating..poor Nilly! The relief I felt when we dismounted and was able to give that pony a big fat "thank you for not tripping over the edge of the cliff and killing us both" hug.

Bhagsu was next on the list..Bhagsu is a town within walkable distance to McLeoud Gange and it took us about half and hour to get there. It is a very popular tourist town and being that it is Saturday here, the roads were maxed with people, cars and livestock. I learned upon entering Bhagsu that if you are a hippie, you will like this town very much. Why? you ask...well, the dreads, yoga classes, lack of deoderant, and I am highly confident there were copious amounts of drugs being done here. The path through town leads up a hill dotted with yoga studios and tea stalls, music ashrams and book shops. The road dwindles into a skinny, rock lined pathway and that is where the crowds decide to turn around, but not us...we headed on as the road less traveled took us back to McLeoud the long way. On our route we came upon a shack that was bursting with music..when we looked in, all we saw were about 20 young women learning how to belly dance...it took all my self control not to throw off my Tevas and get right in there! Next time. The long way was the peaceful way, through a valley where people planted their gardens right to the edge of the path. No space was wasted and it was pure bliss walking in the mountains.

Upon return to McLeoud, we shopped and shopped until we nearly dropped. There are so many things to buy here...but nothing I need. Jewelry, shawls, rugs, art. Fun to look and soak in all the goings on....the weird eyeball looking things being deep fried on the road, chopati and curries being stirred, momos..of course.., fruit stands,chai being served at every corner. We were hungry and tired, so we headed to Nick's Italian Kitchen. TGFI. Thank God for Italians! Homemade fettucine alfredo, spinach and cheese ravioli, hand cut french fries, cappucino, coke, bottled water and lemon cheescake...all for 480 rupees = $10.80 . Amazing. We rode home in the taxi watching the full moon catch our eye over and over again. What a moon!!! The pictures I took do not work. Mother Nature is reminding me to just enjoy this moon NOW and not worry about taking a picture of it...it will never be the same as looking at it in real life. So, I'm off to sit on the porch and enjoy the first full moon of summer. You should too when it comes around your way. We will send it with blessings. Thank you for the prayers and comments. Lil and I feel so loved. XO