Shimla is a happening city. Its beauty is marked by its freedom of choice. I have seen families with toddlers busy with bubbles and play sprays on The Ridge. A few other obese people keep bargaining for a horse ride, some were clicking selfies before the renowned church. The Ridge is rather a spectacle of human nature than being just a tourist spot. Within a few minutes, the woman sitting beside me, enjoying her time in sun had knit several inches of yarn. She was using three colours and a cable pattern. While all this happens I keep scruffing words on one of Thomas Hardy’s books. With a need for fresh air, I moved towards Lakkar Bazaar. It was very cold and deodar filtered breeze flew through my heart. As I looked beyond the valley, I could see snow capped hills, hiding behind their own mist.
Undecided, I stepped in to a souvenir shop, where they displayed some beautiful locks and keys. Upon enquiring the shopkeeper told me that the lock was made with three step unlocking technology used in Tibet for past 300 years. There were not one but so many tricky locks. As I looked further, I got a glimpse of uncategorised and unidentifiable beautiful objects. Some were incense stands, lamps, coffee mugs with lids, soup bowls, prayer bowls, bells, Thangka Art and much more. I moved out and started exploring Lakkar Bazaar further. On the other end there was a small juice shop which entertained me very well. On my return, I found a Cholla Bhatura shop, overcrowded with some modest tourists and some hungry human hounds. I couldn’t resist my curiosity and thus ended up ordering a very spicy snack. It was indeed worth drooling.
As the day was in its early hours, I decided to go uphill to Jakhu temple. On the way I had to do some trading with monkeys to get my cap back. You will know when you will be robbed for yourself. The temple had not much to offer. I payed my respects to our dear Monkey God Hanumanji and took a ride to Navbahar. Someone in the temple had told me that there is a monastery in Kusumpti. So I asked locals and caught bus to monastery. It was the time of lunch prayers. I also did a little meditation in the flow of Buddhism. I had to come back, so I got to main market at Kusumpti. Suddenly it started raining I had to take shelter in Indian Coffee House at Kusumpti. The food was wonderful and coffee added more spirit in my soul. Shower had also subsided by now.
My lonely wandering had now ended and I walked through Mall Road to rest on a bench near Clarke’s Hotel. I shopped a lot from shops on the mall. One was a Tibetan store where I found very good silver jewellery. After closing such a wonderful day with dinner at Golcha Dhaba, I was ready to strike Mashobra, Naldehra and Kufri next day.