Rhododendrons here

The tree rhododendrons -- yes, they grow into trees, up to 20 meters high -- have gorgeous flowers that don't last long. The monkeys find them delicious, and monkeys are voracious foragers.
We humans forage -- sometimes voraciously -- for certain familiar foods that we may not find in the mountains. The mountain retail shops, that is. We are advising some new people preparing for the long trip from the U.S. to Woodstock. Following is a list of my responses, that will give you a flavor of life here.

Food items: some basic cheeses are available here in Mussoorie -- some processed cheese and cheese slices, some package mozzarella! and one local grocer actually occasionally makes some Gouda-like and cheddar-like cheeses that are fine (he also makes fresh peanut butter and jams). But special cheeses (blue, ricotta, etc.) and meats (sausages, pepperoni) you will purchase in Delhi, though refrigeration is tough.
When we arrived last year, we did have a chance for a quick shopping trip in Delhi, but it is so bloody hot now, you would have trouble keeping food from "perishing".

Dried basil? yes, it's available in some shops. And occasionally some fresh basil arrives at the market.
Most dried spices can be gotten here, or in DehraDun.
Meat: because of uncertain hygiene in the local market, we now buy only frozen packaged meats -- chicken and bacon is almost always available; often lamb and shrimp and fish are also.
Pasta: dried packaged pasta, both Indian and Italian, basically available here.
Yeast? don't know.
Chocolate: some available, baking chocolate occasionally available.
Olive oil: Italian or Spanish, available but expensive.
Coffee grinder? sure you can get one in DehraDun.

Packages from the U.S.? I've never been charged duty, never heard of anyone being charged duty on mailed packages. Big issue seems to be "unaccompanied freight", that gets charged or threatened with duty.

Check out www.ebay.co.in for possible purchases.

There's a new hair salon in town this year, that seems quite popular and nicer than others.
Cooking utensils -- the ovens are small.

Wine? pretty slim pickings, and very expensive. One local grocer has some French table wine, expensive and evidently only quasi-legal (no tax stamp evident). The local "English Wine Shops" don't actually sell wine, just some beer and lots of gin and vodka and rum, some whiskey; almost all locally produced, of fair quality. DehraDun shops have some basic wines, but again at triple the price in the U.S. My recommendation: buy your 2-bottle limit at the duty-free shop in Delhi airport (yes, you can buy it in Delhi just before you pick up your luggage, no need to carry it on the plane!).

Hiking to Benog Tibba

We hiked to Benog Tibba, pictured here, on the west end of Mussoorie. A nice warm day, and a long hike.




A small mandir -- Hindu temple -- at the top means that the trail is well maintained. But no other people were at the top when we got there.

There was also a small shrine in a little cave near the top:




The whole group gathered for photos, and a sack-lunch, and enjoyed the views from the top.

Photos showing New Delhi

New Delhi this year boasts a very modern subway system, the Delhi Metro.
Pedicabs, known in Delhi as "rickshaws", wait for customers outside the Metro station.



Recycling is very thorough.
Renewable-energy forms of transportation are used as well --
in this case, ox-carts.








Barbers set up shop on sidewalks.
Shave-and-a-haircut really does cost "two bits,"


As does a glass of fresh-squeezed fruit juice.







Walking to our Hotel Ajanta, near the New Delhi train station, is a muddy crowded task, with a cacophony of horns, motors, and street vendors.



Across from our hotel room we saw a rooftop Hindu shrine, carefully tended at sunup and sundown by a few occupants of that building.


And then on the train back north, we met up with friends Scott and Melanie Smith!

Airplanes and Elephants

An unusual site in New Delhi nowadays is an elephant on the street! We came upon this one just outside of the Aero Club of India
(another unusual site: private planes). Though the Club was closed for Good Friday, I got a photo of the centerpiece airplane -- can anyone identify that plane?