3 months in Dharamsala

Jxlot · Nov 3rd, 2002, 19:47

Mike,
Great website you have here. I have been sort of freaking out looking for info I could use for my trip to India and now I see this is the place to find it. I am going to be volunteering in Dharamsala from mid January - mid April and was wondering what places you would suggest looking into for a long term stay?

Looking basically for a single room with an attached bathroom (still a spoiled Westerner for now) at a place with nice people and not too loud at night. The closer to the Reception Center for Refugees the better. Any sugestions would be appreciated.

While I was hoping that there wouldn't be a ton of people from the West in Dharamsala, I guess it wil be inevitable. I just hope the people are not snotty or stuck up like where I am from. Leaving here to get away from that and even with a great volunteer oportunity will be a lil freaked if too many U.S. people are scurrying around .

Just wondering, since you have been there before, are the people generally pleasant ? I know Feb/March is Lo-Sar and that it will be busy there, so I am just hoping to find a serence and down to earth place. DO you know of any guidebooks that specifically focus on Dharamsala and the area ? Sorry for all these questions - it's early, couldnt sleep, nervous energy and all that makes me ramble like a loon. Wierd feeling going to India for the first time, nervous and happy and scared and hopefull all at the same time. Guess all this energy is expected. Thanks for any information you can offer.

Cheers n beers,
Joshua

indiamike · Nov 3rd, 2002, 21:04

Hi Joshua,
Thanks for joining up.

It's okay to be nervous, most are on their first trip.

My knowledge on Reception Center for Refugees is actually pretty vague, since I really haven't participated in any of the work being done there or have been there, so anybody with first hand experience please feel free to chime in. Pretty sure though the official reception center is down the hill on Jogibara Road. It's a good hike from the main tourist area of Mcleod Ganj where most of the hotels are located. Too many whiskeys in Hotel Tibet and I lose my memory where things are located.

Four months isn't really considered that long of a stay as many people stay for years.

Probably for best comfort you could find a decent room in Mcleod Ganj with attached bathroom that has minimal comforts at a good price. Mcleod is a pretty busy place with tons of westerners. Most people are friendly. There is no shortage of budget hotels.

Two of the most common places are the
Yellow Guest House #21754
Green Hotel & Restaurant #21200
Both right next door to each other on Bhagsu Road and common places for volunteers.
About a two minute walk from the bus stand.
w/bath around 100-150 rupees.
Though both are right in the thick of things and not to serene.

Now you did say that you are volunteering from Mid January onwards. Keep in mind that around mid January it is winter in Mcleod Ganj. Hotels are not heated and can get downright freezing. Usually you can rent a heater for a few rupees a night and it will work okay if the power stays on. So be prepared and bring some thermals, because it will be snowing and cold.

At that time things are pretty slow since most people head off to Boghdaya and come back around Losar.

Here are a couple of websites to check out for info.

A guide to litte Lhasa

Contact Mag (dead url now.)

I will post more up as I think of it.

Cheers
Mike

IVAN · Nov 4th, 2002, 15:52

http://www.worldbridges.com/Tibet/Dharamsala/guide/

indiamike · Nov 4th, 2002, 17:05

Quote:

Originally posted by IVAN
http://www.worldbridges.com/Tibet/Dharamsala/guide/

I forgot that site, one of the best out there.

Mike

Jxlot · Feb 28th, 2003, 04:46

Just wondering, anyone in Dharamsala right now ? Very interesting....

Nov 3rd, 2002, 19:47	#1
Jxlot Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NY Posts: 42	3 months in Dharamsala Mike, Great website you have here. I have been sort of freaking out looking for info I could use for my trip to India and now I see this is the place to find it. I am going to be volunteering in Dharamsala from mid January - mid April and was wondering what places you would suggest looking into for a long term stay? Looking basically for a single room with an attached bathroom (still a spoiled Westerner for now) at a place with nice people and not too loud at night. The closer to the Reception Center for Refugees the better. Any sugestions would be appreciated. While I was hoping that there wouldn't be a ton of people from the West in Dharamsala, I guess it wil be inevitable. I just hope the people are not snotty or stuck up like where I am from. Leaving here to get away from that and even with a great volunteer oportunity will be a lil freaked if too many U.S. people are scurrying around . Just wondering, since you have been there before, are the people generally pleasant ? I know Feb/March is Lo-Sar and that it will be busy there, so I am just hoping to find a serence and down to earth place. DO you know of any guidebooks that specifically focus on Dharamsala and the area ? Sorry for all these questions - it's early, couldnt sleep, nervous energy and all that makes me ramble like a loon. Wierd feeling going to India for the first time, nervous and happy and scared and hopefull all at the same time. Guess all this energy is expected. Thanks for any information you can offer. Cheers n beers, Joshua __________________ "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one" - Albert Einstein

Nov 4th, 2002, 15:52	#3
IVAN status unknown Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Croatia Posts: 686	And also http://www.worldbridges.com/Tibet/Dharamsala/guide/ __________________ Humor is Freedom Check my Links -> http://www14.brinkster.com/jnana/links.htm cum grano salis

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Nov 3rd, 2002, 21:04	#2
indiamike Retired Admin Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: New Joisey for now Posts: 1,759	Hi Joshua, Thanks for joining up. It's okay to be nervous, most are on their first trip. My knowledge on Reception Center for Refugees is actually pretty vague, since I really haven't participated in any of the work being done there or have been there, so anybody with first hand experience please feel free to chime in. Pretty sure though the official reception center is down the hill on Jogibara Road. It's a good hike from the main tourist area of Mcleod Ganj where most of the hotels are located. Too many whiskeys in Hotel Tibet and I lose my memory where things are located. Four months isn't really considered that long of a stay as many people stay for years. Probably for best comfort you could find a decent room in Mcleod Ganj with attached bathroom that has minimal comforts at a good price. Mcleod is a pretty busy place with tons of westerners. Most people are friendly. There is no shortage of budget hotels. Two of the most common places are the Yellow Guest House #21754 Green Hotel & Restaurant #21200 Both right next door to each other on Bhagsu Road and common places for volunteers. About a two minute walk from the bus stand. w/bath around 100-150 rupees. Though both are right in the thick of things and not to serene. Now you did say that you are volunteering from Mid January onwards. Keep in mind that around mid January it is winter in Mcleod Ganj. Hotels are not heated and can get downright freezing. Usually you can rent a heater for a few rupees a night and it will work okay if the power stays on. So be prepared and bring some thermals, because it will be snowing and cold. At that time things are pretty slow since most people head off to Boghdaya and come back around Losar. Here are a couple of websites to check out for info. A guide to litte Lhasa Contact Mag (dead url now.) I will post more up as I think of it. Cheers Mike Last edited by indiamike : Sep 21st, 2003 at 23:00.

Feb 28th, 2003, 04:46	#5
Jxlot Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NY Posts: 42	Just wondering, anyone in Dharamsala right now ? Very interesting....

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