I forgot how rich Tibetans are in India. while in Tibet you begin to think that almost all Tibetans have less than everyone else. In India, though, the tibetans are in the upper class with good buildings, good education and high paying jobs. I had my first real interview with Dominique who I was introduced to through my french canadian friend who is also staying at the guest huose and whom I met when I first arrived. I arrived in a tuk tuk yesterday morning, after travelling for 17hrs the previous day on the train. I went all the way to Shimla with my two British friends going to tour there for 3 days, and the indian guy who was a railway bigwig, telling us everything about the railway. It was a miracle my bag didn't fall out the door as it continually swung open. At Shimla I asked a guy how to get to Dolanji and he was like what? what is that? So I called Manu and he said 23km south of Solan. I was pissed that he and Pam had said nothing to me during my proposal when I said I was going to Shimla and from there Dolanji. So thank god there was 1 last train back, which I hopped aboard and sat for another 3 hrs, after the 14 already to get back to Solan. I collapsed at a guesthouse that night after calling mom and eating. I have allowed myself a day, next friday, to try and get my laptop again. Otherwise I fear the worst, that it may be lost forever. I got an e-mail from Breanna asking me what the hell is going on, along with the same from mom, though I called her this morning along with manu to let them know I'm ok and in Dolanji.

To India, I have this to say, Thank God for the British! Everything from rails, to english language. It's funny to read Sherlock Holmes because Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was writing at the peak of the British empire, when many British lived or had lived in India, and the stories reflect that - mentionings of Pondicherry, Calcutta, Snakes, Cheetahs and baboons from south India and ships that sailed there and retired army vets.

I can't express how happy I am at my own foresight to bring these books along. I also love the fact that each Holmes story is only about a half hour long. I'm also incredibly grateful Zach suggested and I brought a jar of peanut butter; it has kept me from malnourishment and the pangs of hunter I felt yesterday. I felt very heartened this evening when my french canadian friend said she originally thought I was British because I have no accent. I think Sherlock would very much have enjoyed the internet with all its data.