Five years ago was our first and last time here. This time we made our first pit stop at the very same place as when it was our first time here. The same date with five years on, the same coffee at the same coffee shop. There is something special about this place.
The coffee shop has the same tables, the same interior and the same menu. Above all the quality is still as good as before. However, business wise the price has doubled, there are less foreign tourists here, it has become noisier and dirtier all around. It feels the same on the inside but the surroundings and effects from the outside have definitely changed. Still one of our favourite locations here are cafe budan and the mount view to look at the scenery, it is breathtaking.
Initially the first time we came to Dharamshala was to get a feel of the Tibetan culture and politics. We had read so much on the Dalai Lama and wanted to get to know his people. Culturally we find Tibetans incredibly interesting, they appear to have such an alternative culture to any other. They dress nicely, listen to rock music, live their lives like any other, but even though they are in exile, they are very much aware of international issues. There still is a very conservative feel about the Tibetans within their circles and they have a tradition that they are passionate to uphold, but they are also very much open to the international world and their norms.
It is so refreshing to be here amongst the people who inhabit this area. It feels like we are all the same and equal to each other.
Daniel & Matt
Interview created by Kunsang Tenzin
Edited by Yasmine Tanwidjaja-Pajares
Photo taken by Kunsag Tenzin
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