away from home...

I've always considered myself lucky to belong to the hills. We are not arrogantly ambitious or immensely intelligent, but we are warm, friendly, and cheerful. I haven't spent a lot of years in Pedong, but I know I belong there. I hope one day I'd be able to watch the snow-capped mountains as I've my cup of tea.

Kalimpong is the nearest town from Pedong. There is no easy way of getting there. A plane journey will reach you to Bagdogra, from where you can either take a cab to Kalimpong, or go to Siliguri (in a cab), and then make use of the abundant shuttle services at your disposal.

Once you leave the crowded pockets of Siliguri and get onto the NH 31, you’ll find yourself surrounded by hills on one side and the river Teesta down below. People not familiar with the curves of the hills may find the journey too adventurous and some may even complain of motion sickness. But, if you love to travel, there’s no doubt you’ll enjoy it through the dizziness of your head.

Kalimpong used to be famous for schools, Tibetan cuisine, cheese, flowers, and sunrise. A few years ago, Ms. Desai decided to rewrite the course of Kalimpong’s history through fiction. Natives did not like it, the panel loved it.

Momos, thukpas, and sya-phaleys are popular food items—my personal favorites are pork momos. Chang is a popular drink that people enjoy but parents try to keep their children away from.

People make their living through varied trades. Some are employed with the government, while some are their own bosses. Though most people are simple and fun loving, they are easy to incite and minor brawls are almost commonplace. The younger generation is highly fashionable similar to their neighbors in Darjeeling and Sikkim. Music and sports is a culture in itself.

People do not usually agree on the best time to visit Kalimpong. Some prefer the chill, some the warmth, and a few other, the rains. I love April in most parts of the country.