After spending the night at the airport hotel, we made our way back to the domestic checkin and boarded our final flight. This one was a breeze and we quickly made it to Bagdogra. From there, we loaded up an old hippie bus, putting our suitcases on top. The bus ride that ensued was the most harrowing experience of my life. To the previous BRI interns who know how Indian bus rides go, I have so much more respect and empathy for you now! It was terrifying, not just from the fast driving, near collisions, and straight down views, but from the malfunctions in the engine and billowing smoke as the lower gears were pushed harder and harder in an effort to make it up the mountains. White knuckled and slightly whiplashed, I was finally able to exit the vehicle in the middle of Kalimpong after 5 hours of mechanical bull like jostling.
Four taxis picked up our cohort and proceeded to find Rajiv's house. (This was quite the expedition, as the roads were cut into the hillside, rocky and slanted. We also got lost. A few times.)
When we finally made it to Rajiv's house, we were beckoned down a walkway where a few people had lit incense. They put tikka on our foreheads, flowers in our hair, and scarves around our necks as part of a ceremony. We were then shown to our rooms, and, after arrangements were settled, we went back up to have tea, soup, dinner, and dessert. While the food was amazing, we were all exhausted from traveling for 3 days, and we headed to bed as soon as we could.
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