The Cliff

Living and working up here in Sidhpur is different from being in the middle of a big city. We are right near the Norbulingka Buddhist Institute, so it is usually pretty calm. The air feels a bit thinner and cooler, especially when the clouds roll in over the mountains. We spend a lot of time just keeping the place tidy. There is always some dust or a bit of mud from the trails that needs cleaning up. People stop by after visiting the institute or when they are just out for a walk in Dharamshala. We don't have a big team, just a few of us who handle everything from the front desk to the kitchen. Sometimes the electricity goes out when the weather gets bad, but we just light some candles and wait for it to come back on. It is a slow pace of life. We watch the seasons change from the windows. The winters are cold, and we have to make sure there are enough blankets for everyone. It is not a place for someone in a hurry. We just provide a spot to sit for a while. The walls have a few marks on them and the furniture is simple, but it fits the vibe of the hills. We are just here, tucked away on the side of the road, doing our best to keep things going for whoever wanders in. It is a quiet life, mostly. We just keep the water boiling for tea.