Manali to Kasol & Mateura villages - Parvati Valley

 It's now been just over one month since we have been in India. One month since I have drank alcohol and one month since I have eaten any meat (including fish) and I don't miss it one bit. It's also been a month of no work. I have never been off work or school this long in ten years. It feels strange, like a guilty feeling to still be on vacation although sometimes travelling like this can be considered hard work.

Bus ride

Only four of us left Manali and took a 5 hour bus to Kasol, a village in Parvati Valley. During this bus ride I realised how wildly marijuana grew everywhere on the sides of roads. I also had a lady sleep on me in the bus. I've noticed in India, there isn't really regard to personal space. One bus ride, a man came and sat next to me and took the headphones out of my ears to listen to the music I was playing. In any other country, this would be considered rude but for some reason you let it slide here. The bus ride to Kasol was quite scary, you are very high up in the mountain on this bus driving on a very narrow road where any sharp turn can send the bus flying off the mountain cliffs. I try not think about these things but sometimes you just can't help it. (I know my mother is having a heart attack reading this part). Don't worry mummy I'm okay ;)

Kasol village

Peaceful guest house in Kasol

Natural hot springs in jacuzzi for

In Kasol, we met up with Ben's friends from Israel. We found a guest house away from the village up this very steep stone hill - Karen and I called it the never ending hill and we always felt like grannies walking up and complaining. I loved waking up on mornings here as my room had its own private balcony overlooking the pine trees and snow capped mountains. The place was even more peaceful than Manali. Kasol was filled with Israelis and hippees who all have dredlocks, baggy clothes, and think they are very very cool. Didn't quite like the vibes of the people in this town - you can tell the majority of people who come to Kasol were just there for the drugs and raves which isn't my thing. Nevermind, the village was still nice. In Kasol, we went to hot springs that was like a jacuuzi but had the natural hot water. The guest house charged to use it by time. While walking by the few shops in the village I heard a reggae song I had never heard before drawing my attention. I ended up sitting with the shop owner for an hour having chai and chatting about music. I also made sure to get the name of that very mellow reggae song which was made in India by an indian british man (Apache Indian - Om Numah Shivaya).

Fire in Kasol heading towards guest house

Evergreen cafe view - Kasol

In Kasol, we spent lots of time at Evergreen Cafe, which had mattresses on the ground to sit and amazing food. While walking across the bridge after breakfast one morning, we saw a large pool of dark red blood in the river stream. When we looked harder to see what it was, we saw a tent on the riverbank with a sheep that was just slaughtered and was being cut up (even with its fur still on). It was very heart breaking to see and at that point I felt like such a hyprocrite for being disturbed when I myself eat meat. I felt good that I had not eaten meat in a month but wondered if it is something I could give up for good and become a vegetarian. The biggest action that happened in Kasol would probably be the bush fire up in the mountain that evening, which started off controlled and then got out of control. It started to spread very quickly and was heading towards our guest house, so we were in a bit of a panick as to whether to move our bags to another guest house. Second time in a row we have encountered fire issues by the way. We kept monitoring the fire and asked some locals who advised us that once the fire came down the mountain then the they could then out it. In the end, that's what happened so we were lucky.

Mateura village view

Walking up the mountain to Mateura

Beautiful children of Mateura village

Teaching the kids hop scotch

We heard about a very tiny village called Mateura which was half hour away from Kasol. We took a bus there and walked up the mountain to find this place. The walk through the villages was really nice and I knew we were going to like it here. When we found the guest house - it was everything we were looking for. Away from people, nice clean guest house with a view of the surrounding himalayas mountains, quiet and a place where you could completely relax. My room wreaks of marijuana from all the plants growing outside my window but I love the smell so it doesn't bother me at all!

My first day here I went down to Jari town to look for an ATM, on my way back I came across some children who couldnt stop giggling. I ended up taking photos with them and before you knew it, three hours had gone by and I found myself still in their company playing games. It started off with four kids and more and more heard the excitement going on and came to join. There were about 10-15 kids between the ages of 2 and 10, none who spoke english but somehow I managed to teach them games like running relay, hop scotch, catch monster, duck goose - all games from my childhood. Other adults from the village came to watch all the action. The kids showed me some of their games as well.

Playing with children

The next day I was reading in the guest house when I heard the children shouting my name 'Melanie!' over and over. As I walked out, they all ran towards me and jumped up and down eager to play games again. I decided to go down to the shops and buy a ball. Instead I ended up getting a cricket set and a rope. I wish I had video taped their faces when they saw me walking up the hill with it. After an hour or so of games, this woman appeared with a whip and started whipping a few of the kids away back into their homes. I was left standing there alone quite disappointed and wondered why she had done that. Maybe dinner time, or chores? Not quite sure but I never went back in fear I was encouraging something I shouldnt be. Despite this woman ruining the fun, I think the time I spent with these children has been the highlight of my trip so far. There is something about being in the company of children that bring a deep sense of joy to my heart and is beyond description.

Friendly people in village

Walk through villages

In Mateura there isnt much to do so most of my days here were spent just relaxing, reading, playing cards, listening to music, going for walks and washing our own clothes in the standpipes. There is something very womanly and natural about washing clothes without a machine for a change.  

Karen & Ben at our picnic spot

Marijuana plants everywhere!

We went for a trek a few hours through villages up to this beautiful temple on top this mountain.

Temple at mountain

There was a nice grass area so we had a little picnic and sat staring out at the amazing view of the valley and trees and mountains. Probably one of the best spots we have been in India. It just doesnt feel like you are in India here, that's what is nice about it. The villages are very picturesque with the wooden houses, flower gardens, cows, hay and beutiful friendly people. You realise through these walks how simple life can really be. I really liked the vibes here and will probably stay here the longest. On our way back we came across some large marijuana plants, the biggest we have seen so far so we stopped for a little photo shoot :)

Spider in shower!

Karen washing clothes at standpipe

Playing with baby at guesthouse

The large family that run the guest house have a little 1 year old daughter who is adorable, she doesn't go to strangers so it took me a few days to warm to her and finally hold and play with her. The one scary thing about our guest house is the spider infestation! Not just your regular itsy bitsy spider. Talking about massive ones that crawl with their big eight legs! A few people find them in their rooms at night so you can imagine every night we scan the bedroom to make sure none are under the covers! I haven't come across one in my room yet (knock on wood) but did come across this one in the picture when I went to take a shower.

We are off to Malana and some other village tomorrow for a few nights but will leave our bags in a room here in Mateura for when we return to this paradise.  Only a week left in India so got to make the most of it.