Monday, May 11, 2009

Monday's Inspiration: Darjeeling Light







I miss India and am not sure why I haven't gone back for so long. Possibly because if I did, I'd want to just stay forever. I went once for a quick trip to Darjeeling and ended up staying for over two weeks, partly because it was a bit difficult to get way up there, to the top of India itself, mostly because I got to love the quiet hill-station towns of the Himalayas,with buildings clinging to the sides of hills, distant views of mountains, large landscapes of mossy green-ness, tropical and alpine at the same time, the rusty corrugated raj-era rooftops, low silvery clouds with a palpable dampness equaling more green, more rust. I loved the afternoon light, the afternoon tea; the seriousness of tea and the vastness of the golden light.

24 comments:

Butternut Squash said...

I came looking for your haiku and found your extraordinary writing! Stunning images. You have a beautiful blog.

erin said...

beautiful as ever.

cindy* said...

beautiful. sean and i are always planning hypothetical getaways...i will have to share this one with him.

Elizabeth said...

So we need to talk about India more - you have to see my photos
and I probably have to meet your mother at some point.
e-mail me
plus Buster wants to meet you
love

Tracy said...

Afternoon tea light...mmm...I, too, came here looking for haiku, but found this lovely post instead...thank you for sharing. Your blog has a beautiful vibe :o)

knack said...

I am really , really wanting to go to India...and you just fed that a little bit more! xo

david mcmahon said...

I went to school in Darjeeling - this brought back great memories.

In fact, the town gets a mention in my first novel.

hmstrjam said...

love that first photo! and that tea looks amazing- ! too bad the Darjeeling Limited was such a bad movie!

Unknown said...

Beautiful photos that so perfectly capture the light. I too miss India and it's been too long, I fell in love with dharmsala and it was so hard to leave...thanks for this post!

Mandarine D'Italie said...

Journeys.. I haven't been to India yet, but so many things are leading me there...today your post...LOVE IT!

Callie Grayson said...

amazing photos, and a fantastic post made me want to visit india!!!
hope you go back soon!!

georgia b. said...

i've never been, and i have never thought about going—until now, that is. what a beautiful set of photos. and your writing about it is just as attractive!

P. said...

I have to see this with my own two eyes - so magical.

onesilentwinter said...

so wonderful deb, if you go again can i come(mean it)!

Isabelle said...

We had a very good friend working for a tea plantation there so we visited him few years ago, I will never forget this side of the world ...

heidi said...

so so so so beautiful. Wish i could snap my fingers & be there for tea right now.
xoh

Cannelle Et Vanille said...

amazing! so colorful!

Unknown said...

I would love to visit India and this magical place that you are describing. I think it would be marvelous.

Alyssa said...

these are gorgeous shots. makes me want to go. now.

Bonbon Oiseau said...

yeah...it's official. we're all going to darjeeling. but why did anyone come her looking for a haiku? i can never remember the rules of haiku--5-7-5? 3-5-23?

Amy (the b-line) said...

Wow. I've never been to India but these photos take me there in a way. Or make me want to go. I certainly can understand your wanting to return. Gorgeous.

Danielle said...

You certainly know JUST how to inspire me! These pictures are exquisite!!

TheBeautyFile said...

Totally incredible...Jaw dropping pictures...I love the combination of hills & fog lifting (or settling)...

limonana said...

sigh...lovely to see this post. my heart is definitely left behind in India! I hope to make it to Darjeeling the next time as it has been on my list for too long...stunning photos!