VIS Arrives In India!

We have finally arrived to Manali situated at 6,300 ft in the state of Himachal Pradesh. After a long 18 hour flight we spent the day exploring streets of Delhi and found ourselves in discussions about perspectives on povery and american stereotypes. The next day was followed by an overnight bus ride where we stopped throughout the night and the next morning at tea shops en route to Manali. The VISpas were awarded with the much cooler foothills of the breathtaking Himalayas where thick forests are filled with giant pinetrees dispersed among mango and pomegranite trees. Today, we ventured off in search of waterfalls and found a Hindu temple where we were all welcomed to enter and received painted red bindis on our foreheads as a blessing. We have spent two nights in a guesthouse perched upon a hill that overlooks lush apple orchards, fields of flowers and the town of Old Manali. The VISpas have been spending the afternoons getting to know the local people working here in Manali by playing drums with the Nepalis and shopping for last minute trekking things from the local shops. We are now all ready to begin the trek tomorrow from Darcha that will take 12-14 days and then spend a few days in homestays helping with the harvest. Namaste and Jullay from all of us!