McLeod Ganj memoir - Day 5

It's the check-out day from this pretty, pretty haven. The Sun is in its full glory, adding to the temptation of staying back for just one more day...Ah, if only!

Before getting into the taxi and climbing down to Dharamshala, we walked to our favourite little café that has become our regular coffee place over this last week. Our new friend, the big black grumpy dog belonging to our host, decides to follow us for a bit. The café is closed today for some reason. But our regular seat is still intact, right on the trail to the waterfalls, carefully shaded in a canopy. As always, it's getting visited by hundreds of birds. We sit there, looking out into the valley for a while and then walk back with heavy feet and a heavier heart.

Just a little bit longer...

The rest of the day turns out to witness a whirlwind of activities - climbing the busy slope in the BhagsuNag waterfalls, strolling in the quiet cemetery and St. John's Church in the wilderness, driving up to the Naddi view point, only to discover there isn't much view to behold (thanks to the playful cloud which decides to shut the curtain on the peaks just at that moment) and relishing the yummy roadside apple pie.

Cousin being silly at St.John's Church

Once in Dharamshala, we try to get a bit clever with a pot of green mango mint tea in the tea garden but we have made peace with the fact that we aren't always so clever after all! Our last stop of the day - Dharamshala cricket stadium, however makes it the perfect end to a perfect trip. The stadium is so pretty with the colourful seats and the stands and the big towering mountain range at the backdrop (which decides to appear from behind the cloud in full pride this time!) that I have discovered this urge of watching a cricket match there right at the foot of the mighty Dhauladhaar! My cousin is giddy with excitement; it's apparently his dream come true! Needless to say, I have been getting a good lecture on the cracks in a pitch, the fast outfield, the bowling techniques, etc. etc.

Dharamshala Stadium

The day ends with us boarding the overnight bus back to Delhi.

P.S. As I board my flight, I feel blessed. In the fight between have's and have-not's, I feel humbled. There's so much in going away and there's so much in coming back too. Enchante, lovely mountains! Hope to see you again, soon!

To another sunset...