Chonor House

The bus to Mcleod Ganj left promptly at 6:30PM last night. Oh yes, this is what they mean by the term "smelly Delhi". Traffic and smell increase tenfold during rush hour. We spent at least 4 of the 12.5 hour bus ride in Delhi. At around 10:30 PM, we stopped for dinner at a roadside cafe conveniently situated next to a "gift" shop. The shop contained an odd assortment of items including giant vases filled with fake liquid and flowers, 3-D paintings (which reminded me of Phoebe's 3-D painting of Gladdis from Friends), and a plastic baby doll standing next to a giant, golden happy Buddha. Oh, and toss in a popcorn popper and a display of used sandals. It was worth the stop even though I didn't eat anything.
Once entered the countryside, the ride got really bumpy and...swervy, for lack of a better term. Imagine the bus from the Harry Potter books...the one that picks Harry up when he gets in a bind? Yes, this bus clanked and lurched and swerved to miss potholes, dogs, cars, people, cows, etc.
But we made it here and I am checked into a beautiful hotel called the Chonor House. It's part of the Norbulingka Institute and the proceeds go toward the preservation of Tibetan culture. Cool. Okay, I'm off to nap and then wander the town. Tomorrow I'm going to see the residence of the Dalai Lama : ) : ) Can't wait!