Darjeeling in the monsoon
Describe Darjeeling in the monsoon in three words! It is rain, rain and rain!!! Yet the thick fog that limits your visibility to just several meters, allows you to explore the lands rich variety of flora. I cannot say I am a master of plants but certain plant species evoke strong memories and associations. Like "sisnu" the nettle plan with which I got my first real beating! Incredibly this same nettle plant can be made into a broth-like delicious local dish. Then there is "iskus" or squash of which the tuberous root, the spiky fruit as well as the tender tendrils are eaten as vegetables. The "baas" or the bamboo, is the most versatile of the lot; not only are the tender bamboo shoots a delicacy of their own but also the bamboo cane is used to make every conceivable furniture, utility item and even houses and animal shelters. Finally there is the "dhupi" of the birch. which enhances the skyline with its lovely triangular shape, and the thick br...