That twinkle on the hill: Chapter 2/2 - Gwaldam
Chapter II - Gwaldam Every night, when unsettled, I have gazed up on a starless sky, To see upon that emptiness, A twinkle, that would make me sigh… ‘If you really want to lose yourself in these pine-scented hills, head to the temple atop the hill next to the Tibetan monastery. And if you want to tread on a larger pilgrimage, head to the Badhan Garhi temple, croyez moi - believe me, the views will absolve you of all your mortal sins.’ I listened earnestly, trying hard not to let my jaws drop in surprise. For the tips were way beyond my Outlook Traveller guide book. And the tips were not coming from a local guide - it came from a Monsieur Vincent - an eighty year old Frenchman I happened to chance upon a hill, on an early morning in Gwaldam. ‘How long have you been here?’ I couldn’t help asking. ‘Not long, I came last week, but yes, this is my eighteenth year straight that I am coming to the Himalaya, and the fourteenth in Gwaldam.’ I was flabbergasted. ‘You have been coming here ...