Rewalsar - a brief stopover on our journey toward Manali turned into a week of bliss. A community of Tibetan refugees tucked amongst green hills - four monasteries surrounding a lake. We arrived with the intention to spend a day or two, but then the heavens opened and we felt that the weather compelled us to stick around.
It is auspicious to walk around the lake three times, three times per day, clockwise. The locals stroll and chatter, or count out Om Mani Padme Hums on their mala strings. We were staying in a monastery high up on a hill. This is the view from our terrace. Hours spent watching the clouds roll in and out, feeling the thunder shaking the hillside.
We also made some really great friends in Rewalsar. This is where my introduction to Buddhism (and my re-acquaintance with meditation) happened. Plus there were angry cows, puppies and other *ahem* local delicacies to keep us entertained.
Seriously, GO TO REWALSAR. It’s paradise. Only an hour and a half on the local bus from Mandi (don’t get on the one with the Britney Spears horn - he’s high as hell) and you will never want to leave.