The long road north

Another day of wandering with occasional aims...Down to old manali, across an old metal bridge strewn with prayer flags streaming in the wind; looking north the forbidden roads...winter is two weeks late this year, much new snow. and do I walked, far enough to know I still carry the largest effects, but we'll enough to leave.
It's all going a bit hotel california really, don't even have to go up the hill, well not so far....
It's an easy place to lose yourself here, a place of routines and good coffee; but if you want channa puri then nope, pizza, yes and wonderful. And coffee in a place with great music above the river, relaxed...
And now sitting on the balcony, watching the blues darken above the faded white of the mountains, trees already become darkened shapes merging lower slopes and other valleys. Above, the first stars...later, if it remains clear, an unbelievable clarity of stars; the silver river running clearly across the darkness, familiar constellations adrift upon skies angled away from the familiar; an unexpected profusion after cities and the glare of Europe. Better sunsets and it could, almost, be hebridean....