November 1st: Delhi to Bagdogra to Mirik

I arose early to get breakfast. There were many traveling from my hotel for the race. A big bus picked us up and took us to the airport. At 3:30 we were still traveling. We ended up getting to Mirik around 5pm.

I remmber the bus ride. We started at the base of this mountain and climbed to 8,000 feet. It was a long 2 hour bus ride to the top of the mountain. The roads look like one lane, but they aren't. All the cars and busses are more narrow, otherwise no one would be able to drive here. But with a big bus there were many near misses with other cars. Thank god that the road isn't traveled much by car. You could see some people walking though when you neared town.

Most of the locals can not afford to buy a car and walk everywhere. There are very few people who are fat here. Being a porter, I'm sure you can make a lot of money. Mirik is a less polluted area. I found that I could breath easier even though we were about 8,000 feet. The streets are clean.

What I did notice is that there weren't any speed limit signs and that the roads defied the 'running laws of nature'. When running, it is the faster person who has the right away. The slower person must move out of the way. When running down hill, they get the right away since the uphill runners are slower.

Here in the mountains, it is the bus who is climbing that gets the right away and the others must move out of the way for the bus. Even thought the roads are narrow and are 2 way. There aren't and markings on the road. Many fast moving vehicles will just beep you and pass you on the right. Yes, the drive on the opposite side of the road as well.