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Fighting my demons.

 



I have been fighting my demons in Kalimpong .Elgin Silver Oaks was originally built by a famous British Jute Magnate in the year 1930’s and was later sold to Freiderich Deshraj who is said to have built the Teesta bridge.Freidreich Deshraj later sold it to Diamond Oberio. who added an extra floor and converted it to a boutique hotel.The traffic jam to Kalimpong  was back breaking and having reached the hotel a wee earlier than the check in time we found the housekeeping in a state of panic.While we waited for the rooms to be ready an old soul lead us to the flamboyant lounge,gave us the traditional scarves and a glass of juice.



Another fifteen minutes and the room was partially ready so we parked our stuff and decided to saunter to the market.Kalimpong seems to be in a state of disarray.Tight fit town looked like the Gangtok of the eighties.People also seemed to be stuck somewhere in the time zone.Went looking for food in town and predictably ended up in Gompus.The place seemed starved for space but the food was predictably good..

It was heartening to see some old boys catching up for lunch and trying to grab the bill.They were casually catching up whiile they carried their shopping bags.Post lunch we went looking for some food items which the siblings had asked for .We found a dear lady selling knicks and knacks so we picked up some lollpops and noodles.

Another distinct thing we discovered about the place was the statue of two nepali poets right in the middle of the market one,Agam Singh Giri and the other Bhanu bhakta.

We had a short nap and as the evening came we went around the hotel looking  at the grounds and taking note of the tiny details.



It is a beautiful hotel with a grand  ambience to match the home country of the builder but it is in the tiny details of housekeeping,punctuality,attention to details which the newer staffs have a lot to catch up on.

In the evening we  ended the day with fish and chips and a heart full of gratitude to the Lord.I feel a lot better already.

The morrow sees us in Darjeeling A fleeting but a much awaited visit.I was last there when I was six years old.



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