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Return to the Winterline

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We watched the sun set behind the winterline tonight -- the line of temperature inversion at around 6000 feet, where the dust and fog and smoke from ground level is trapped, forming a very distinct curtain behind which the sun's light completely disappears.
We are now at 7500 feet, at the Rokeby Guest House in Landour Cantonment, Mussoorie.
The guest house is a luxury renovation of Christopher's old school dormitory, so it is a special treat for us to stay a night here.
We are visiting Woodstock School for a nostalgic return to the mountains and the campus, and particularly so that Coleman can meet up with his classmates before they all graduate from high school -- he will not be able to attend their graduation here, as he will be preparing for his own graduation in Dhahran next June. Our Eid-al-Adha holiday week allows just a few days in the mountains, given the lengthy travel time and the fact that Air India preponed our return flight by a day.
It has been a marvelous nostalgic trip thus far, meeting with old friends, catching up on the gossip (both personal and school-related), and enjoying the smells and tastes and the very cool mountain air. We have of course walked more than we would ever have imagined, up and down hills, and along the single "Mall Road" that follows the hilltop for several miles. Along that road on Saturday we met literally dozens of friends and acquaintances out for a stroll or drive. Barb got a torn blouse repaired at our local tailor, and her bible re-bound at the bookbinder, all while we strolled into town for the day. And we are becoming inured to the very-close-shave driving practiced on the very narrow mountain roads.

India is vibrant as ever. Prices are noticeably higher now, particularly for gasoline. Some of the infrastructure is improved -- the Delhi airport and the Delhi metro are fantastic now, and some of the roads are newly-surfaced. But there is little change in Mussoorie, and at Woodstock, in the past 2 years. Woodstock is anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new principal in November.

Pictures?  Click on the picture below to see an album
2011India

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