The Bengal province of India is a swirl of muscatel flavours, street dog gangs, sharp sickles, DIY movers, tea bushes, 5 rupee chai tea stalls, prayer flag symphonies, colonial steam train remnants, vegetarian validations, snow-capped slopes, delicate tea cups, tin roofs and tree temples, organic estates. I had the pleasure of meeting the 'Rajah of Darjeeling' (in the white apron), a pioneering spirit who heralded the first certified organic tea farm in India, Makaibari Estate. Lady tea pickers (their hands are gentler on the tea bushes) can collect enough shoots in a day to produce 1800 cups of tea. Mmmmmm. Some of the world's first energy bars were a concoction of mixed tea leaves, salt, garlic and dried fish. Not so mmmmm. There I also had the honour of experiencing a home-stay with one of the families at the estate. Lessons in serene simple living, cross-cultural inquisitivness, momo cooking classes, rooster alarm clocks, handmade tea packaging, a volunteering haven, endless reasons to stay.
"Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music-the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself."
— Henry Miller
"Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music-the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself."
— Henry Miller
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