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Special Lassi
A Backbreaking Misadventure in the Himalayas.
A psychedelic odyssey like no other, spanning the exotic foothills of the eastern Himalayas.
In the summer of 2011, two bleary-eyed kids, teetering on the cusp of adulthood, decide to drop out of the daily grind and just travel. But once they hit the road, their plans go out the window. Soon, they are barreling over potholes the size of lunar craters in Nepal, bungee jumping in Rishikesh, waking up to Buddhist chants in Sikkim and cycling down the world's highest motorable pass in Ladakh. On the way is a constant stream of oddballs, like the five-second-tea lady, the flute-playing hotel manager, flying Sonam, reggae junkies and many more this journey is all about rolling with the punches.
Special Lassi is one part funny, two parts crazy and a whisper of wistful-for the best things are ephemeral and a lust for life is a dangerous thing.
A psychedelic odyssey like no other, spanning the exotic foothills of the eastern Himalayas.
In the summer of 2011, two bleary-eyed kids, teetering on the cusp of adulthood, decide to drop out of the daily grind and just travel. But once they hit the road, their plans go out the window. Soon, they are barreling over potholes the size of lunar craters in Nepal, bungee jumping in Rishikesh, waking up to Buddhist chants in Sikkim and cycling down the world's highest motorable pass in Ladakh. On the way is a constant stream of oddballs, like the five-second-tea lady, the flute-playing hotel manager, flying Sonam, reggae junkies and many more this journey is all about rolling with the punches.
Special Lassi is one part funny, two parts crazy and a whisper of wistful-for the best things are ephemeral and a lust for life is a dangerous thing.
260 pages, Paperback
First published January 31, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 30, 2017
come to the edge
we can't
we're afraid
come to the edge
we can't
we will fall!
come to the edge.
And they came.
And he pushed them .
And they flew.
I believe you need to love Stories to fully appreciate life of a traveler , a Normand at heart.For travelling is like chasing stories which are not confined in the pages of a book.You have to be there as they unfolds in a distant land , out there in the open.
In the summer of 2011,the author and her friend 'River' , decide to drop out of the daily grind and just travel. But once they hit the road, their plans go out the window. Soon, they are barreling over potholes the size of lunar craters in Nepal, bungee jumping in Rishikesh, waking up to Buddhist chants in Sikkim and cycling down the world's highest motorable pass in Ladakh.
On the way is a constant stream of oddballs, like the five-second-tea lady, the flute-playing hotel manager, flying Sonam, reggae junkies and many more .
This is their story .
The story they chased.
A psychedelic odyssey like no other, spanning the exotic foothills of the eastern Himalayas.
The Road map
A very promising opening chapter .
Darjeeling
Some passable chapters about tea gardens of Darjeeling, and the whimsical writing (only in this part), almost convinced me to DNF the book . What kept me going was the story about the five -second-tea lady :)
Sikkim -beginning of pure magic
The beautiful writing of Amrita Chatterjee did total justice to capture what it means to travel in that state.
Here she talked about Rumtek monastery, which is considered the most famous and the most spectacular gompa in the whole of Sikkim. It is also the main seat of the Karmapa in exile, who is the head of the Black Hat sect (Karma Kagyu lineage) of Tibetan Buddhism, just like the Dalai Lama is the head of the Yellow Hat sect (Gelug).
And If you could find a lodge during one such travel, which has a window that open straight into the heart of the mountain.Siting near that window , staring out into the vast unknown , there is little more you could ask from life in exchange .
She did find one,right bellow the monastery .
she wrote about it.
And I wished I was there .
With a box of books and few cups of coffee .
Or....... one late afternoon , if you could just walk the road that wound up the the hill , and leveled out at the top , where it becomes a ribbon of moonlight entwined between tall Deodhars , Find yourself a quite corner and be lost in a book.
And when the lazy afternoon gives in to the autumnal evening and you could read no further in the falling darkness , look up from the pages of that book to appreciate how the night falls on top of the earth in that small hill top town.
you are no longer reading a STORY.
you are in one just happening .
The author witnessed many such evenings, nights in Gangtok/Sikkim . No books with her though .But few joints of marijuana/hashish (?):P
I prefer books as my source of intoxication instead :)
In the last leg of Sikkim , an eventful trekking to khecheoplri lake and finding the Indian cousin of Gholum there .
Talk about chasing stories ...my Precious :)
Nepal
beautiful stories .
This is the part where I laughed the most , heartlessly at times to some miseries of the author....
But the part I most enjoyed was the one in Fewa, pokhra. Which involves the author , her travel companion 'River'and a dog in an eventful boat ride in the famed lake .
Lumbini Village - Birthplace of Lord Budha .surreal :)
Haridwar
The essence of an evening in Haridwar captured to it's full glory .To more spiritual but less religious person like me this part was a high buffet treat .
To drive home my point ,Sample this...
Ganges was gradually flooded with hundreds of candles like lava gushing out of stark black crevices. Mirrors inside the temple glittered like jewels and reflected the flickering lights onto the entire ghat. There was such a big difference between the Haridwar of the day – the jarring, smelly, repulsive entity – and the Haridwar of the evening – this dreamy, fluid, almost song like city. Lights twinkled everywhere, the smoothest glowing shade of buttery yellow one can imagine, and the energy of the people gathered here was truly infectious
Rishikesh -Leh
'Julley'Ladakh
The magic of storytelling not diminished a shade even .
The high point was the author's travel to 'Pangong',which is one of the biggest saltwater lakes in South East Asia.
But.........
In the end , though this book turned out to be one of my most satisfying read in recent times, I wish there were less chapters about the author getting stoned on Hashish , drunk or high on magic mushrooms and more about the local history or observations on local life and philosophy:P
Such observations ,this book has in plenty and I have enjoyed them immensely .
still my heart yearned for more .
As far as requirement for intoxication goes...
once you pack your bags and hit the road,
once you embrace the happiness of not knowing what lies ahead,
once you breath the mountain air ........you are in little need for any other form of intoxication
But then this would not have been exactly called a misadventure in Himalayas, if the author had avoided getting stoned every now and then :P
And probably I would have given this book a miss then.
A well deserving 4.16793675 stars :)
we can't
we're afraid
come to the edge
we can't
we will fall!
come to the edge.
And they came.
And he pushed them .
And they flew.
I believe you need to love Stories to fully appreciate life of a traveler , a Normand at heart.For travelling is like chasing stories which are not confined in the pages of a book.You have to be there as they unfolds in a distant land , out there in the open.
In the summer of 2011,the author and her friend 'River' , decide to drop out of the daily grind and just travel. But once they hit the road, their plans go out the window. Soon, they are barreling over potholes the size of lunar craters in Nepal, bungee jumping in Rishikesh, waking up to Buddhist chants in Sikkim and cycling down the world's highest motorable pass in Ladakh.
On the way is a constant stream of oddballs, like the five-second-tea lady, the flute-playing hotel manager, flying Sonam, reggae junkies and many more .
This is their story .
The story they chased.
A psychedelic odyssey like no other, spanning the exotic foothills of the eastern Himalayas.
The Road map
A very promising opening chapter .
Darjeeling
Some passable chapters about tea gardens of Darjeeling, and the whimsical writing (only in this part), almost convinced me to DNF the book . What kept me going was the story about the five -second-tea lady :)
Sikkim -beginning of pure magic
The beautiful writing of Amrita Chatterjee did total justice to capture what it means to travel in that state.
Here she talked about Rumtek monastery, which is considered the most famous and the most spectacular gompa in the whole of Sikkim. It is also the main seat of the Karmapa in exile, who is the head of the Black Hat sect (Karma Kagyu lineage) of Tibetan Buddhism, just like the Dalai Lama is the head of the Yellow Hat sect (Gelug).
And If you could find a lodge during one such travel, which has a window that open straight into the heart of the mountain.Siting near that window , staring out into the vast unknown , there is little more you could ask from life in exchange .
She did find one,right bellow the monastery .
she wrote about it.
And I wished I was there .
With a box of books and few cups of coffee .
Or....... one late afternoon , if you could just walk the road that wound up the the hill , and leveled out at the top , where it becomes a ribbon of moonlight entwined between tall Deodhars , Find yourself a quite corner and be lost in a book.
And when the lazy afternoon gives in to the autumnal evening and you could read no further in the falling darkness , look up from the pages of that book to appreciate how the night falls on top of the earth in that small hill top town.
you are no longer reading a STORY.
you are in one just happening .
The author witnessed many such evenings, nights in Gangtok/Sikkim . No books with her though .But few joints of marijuana/hashish (?):P
I prefer books as my source of intoxication instead :)
In the last leg of Sikkim , an eventful trekking to khecheoplri lake and finding the Indian cousin of Gholum there .
Talk about chasing stories ...my Precious :)
Nepal
beautiful stories .
This is the part where I laughed the most , heartlessly at times to some miseries of the author....
But the part I most enjoyed was the one in Fewa, pokhra. Which involves the author , her travel companion 'River'and a dog in an eventful boat ride in the famed lake .
Lumbini Village - Birthplace of Lord Budha .surreal :)
Haridwar
The essence of an evening in Haridwar captured to it's full glory .To more spiritual but less religious person like me this part was a high buffet treat .
To drive home my point ,Sample this...
Ganges was gradually flooded with hundreds of candles like lava gushing out of stark black crevices. Mirrors inside the temple glittered like jewels and reflected the flickering lights onto the entire ghat. There was such a big difference between the Haridwar of the day – the jarring, smelly, repulsive entity – and the Haridwar of the evening – this dreamy, fluid, almost song like city. Lights twinkled everywhere, the smoothest glowing shade of buttery yellow one can imagine, and the energy of the people gathered here was truly infectious
Rishikesh -Leh
'Julley'Ladakh
The magic of storytelling not diminished a shade even .
The high point was the author's travel to 'Pangong',which is one of the biggest saltwater lakes in South East Asia.
But.........
In the end , though this book turned out to be one of my most satisfying read in recent times, I wish there were less chapters about the author getting stoned on Hashish , drunk or high on magic mushrooms and more about the local history or observations on local life and philosophy:P
Such observations ,this book has in plenty and I have enjoyed them immensely .
still my heart yearned for more .
As far as requirement for intoxication goes...
once you pack your bags and hit the road,
once you embrace the happiness of not knowing what lies ahead,
once you breath the mountain air ........you are in little need for any other form of intoxication
But then this would not have been exactly called a misadventure in Himalayas, if the author had avoided getting stoned every now and then :P
And probably I would have given this book a miss then.
A well deserving 4.16793675 stars :)
April 23, 2015
A must read for anybody who is interested in traveling to new places, meeting new people and experiencing new things in life.
Complete detailed review published at https://mahabore.wordpress.com/2015/0...
Complete detailed review published at https://mahabore.wordpress.com/2015/0...
May 25, 2015
I have read only 1 book before which described a journey or a travel of few people as fiction element. I picked this book after a notification of GoodReads.
I was intrigued as it mentioned a journey through Himalayas which has been my dream. I have traveled a lot on Himalayas but as we say "HIMALAYAS KEEP CALLING YOU BACK"
The Book starts with Amrita And her friend going on a month long backpacking trip along Himalayas. the trip takes you from Darjeeling, Rumtek, Yuksom, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, Leh and Ladakh. The nature of the places described are beautiful. I loved the satire about people just wanting to click pics without understanding the nature of the place.
The Buddhist monasteries and trance of the Buddhist prayers is something which I really need to experience and I am already planning a trip. (Someday you will read my travel book too :))
The Overall writing is neat and simple (could use little refining). The mood of the book is hopeful, cheerful and philosophical in parts. I specially liked the part when two of them just lie down and look at the sky and stars.
Its a kind of book someone would should pick up, if they are confused about taking a break and enjoying the nature.
I have always been little upset with people who just want to go outside India for their vacations and just make fun when you mention Why not INDIA. This books shows that INDIA is a heaven if you real want to have peace and visit places.
Overall a good and inspiring book
4/5 from me.
DeVil D
I was intrigued as it mentioned a journey through Himalayas which has been my dream. I have traveled a lot on Himalayas but as we say "HIMALAYAS KEEP CALLING YOU BACK"
The Book starts with Amrita And her friend going on a month long backpacking trip along Himalayas. the trip takes you from Darjeeling, Rumtek, Yuksom, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, Leh and Ladakh. The nature of the places described are beautiful. I loved the satire about people just wanting to click pics without understanding the nature of the place.
The Buddhist monasteries and trance of the Buddhist prayers is something which I really need to experience and I am already planning a trip. (Someday you will read my travel book too :))
The Overall writing is neat and simple (could use little refining). The mood of the book is hopeful, cheerful and philosophical in parts. I specially liked the part when two of them just lie down and look at the sky and stars.
Its a kind of book someone would should pick up, if they are confused about taking a break and enjoying the nature.
I have always been little upset with people who just want to go outside India for their vacations and just make fun when you mention Why not INDIA. This books shows that INDIA is a heaven if you real want to have peace and visit places.
Overall a good and inspiring book
4/5 from me.
DeVil D
May 17, 2015
‘Special Lassi’ is a magical journey through some of the most beautiful locations on the foothills of Himalayas. The narrative is easy to read like a gripping novel and gives the reader access not only to the rich views of the journey but also to the feelings of the author and the people around her. The overall mood of the book is bright and joyful and the author has a great sense of humor, which makes the narrative highly enjoyable.
In this very enjoyable travel narrative Amrita Chatterjee takes her readers to some of the most exotic places in the eastern Himalayas like Darjeeling, Rumtek, Yuksom, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, Leh and Ladakh. The clarity with which the author describes her experiences during the journey, the richness of the locations she visit and the people with which she interacts is quite amazing.
As the book’s blurb claims, this is definitely the narrative of a psychedelic odyssey!
In this very enjoyable travel narrative Amrita Chatterjee takes her readers to some of the most exotic places in the eastern Himalayas like Darjeeling, Rumtek, Yuksom, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, Leh and Ladakh. The clarity with which the author describes her experiences during the journey, the richness of the locations she visit and the people with which she interacts is quite amazing.
As the book’s blurb claims, this is definitely the narrative of a psychedelic odyssey!
June 16, 2015
Lassi is a traditional yogurt-based drink that is extremely popular in Indian Subcontinent especially in the time of unpleasant weather of summer. It comes in variety, sweet, with fruits, spices. Although the traditional Lassi is the salted one. However, Amrita Chatterjee's Special Lassi is not all about this traditional drink. It's more of an escapade in Himalayas with a psychedelic touch.
The journey is fulfilled by two friends, the narrator and her friend named River, while travelling across beautiful and engrossing places like Darjeeling, Yuksom, Kathmandu, Lumbini, Leh, Ladakh and a few more. The essence of these places are described by the author in a beautiful and honest manner. After reading about these mesmerizing sites, one would fancy to visit themselves.
The clarity of the writing is good, interest arousing style and with the segments of humour. Soon both the characters are barreling over potholes the size of lunar craters in Nepal, bungee jumping in Rishikesh, waking up to Buddhist chants in Sikkim and cycling down the world's highest motorable pass in Ladakh.
The book lacks excitement in between and becomes monotonous but even through that phase the adventure will never be the piece of boredom to a reader. It's a good book to pick if you need some break from the day to day animated existence and want to escape some place that you have never been before and if you want to read something in a day.
3/5
The journey is fulfilled by two friends, the narrator and her friend named River, while travelling across beautiful and engrossing places like Darjeeling, Yuksom, Kathmandu, Lumbini, Leh, Ladakh and a few more. The essence of these places are described by the author in a beautiful and honest manner. After reading about these mesmerizing sites, one would fancy to visit themselves.
The clarity of the writing is good, interest arousing style and with the segments of humour. Soon both the characters are barreling over potholes the size of lunar craters in Nepal, bungee jumping in Rishikesh, waking up to Buddhist chants in Sikkim and cycling down the world's highest motorable pass in Ladakh.
The book lacks excitement in between and becomes monotonous but even through that phase the adventure will never be the piece of boredom to a reader. It's a good book to pick if you need some break from the day to day animated existence and want to escape some place that you have never been before and if you want to read something in a day.
3/5
March 14, 2015
An amazing debut! Felt like I was in a thrilling roller coaster ride....! Please keep writing such books to inspire people to just let go and enjoy life to the fullest! A must read for people who love to travel!
March 4, 2017
I do not normally read travelogues… As a result this book sat on my shelves for a long time before I gave into my love for Himalayas and picked it up.
The author, Amrita, bored of the routine life sets off on a backpacking trip with her friend Rivers with only one plan in mind – to see as much of the foothills of Himalaya as possible. With no itinerary to follow, the two friends traipse from Kolkata to Darjeeling and Sikkim to Kathmandu and Lumbini to Haridwar and Leh. On their way they not only take in the beauty of the places but also encounter a multitude of different people who add to this story.
The beauty of this book lies in not only the way author has captured the different essence of all the places but also her own euphoria at experiencing something new and something different at every turn. I have spent about a decade in Darjeeling, pursuing my education, and it was such a beautiful experience to see the Darjeeling I know through her eyes. I have also been to Sikkim and Haridwar and I know that she hasn’t exaggerated any aspect about these locations. All the same it was fun to experience old and new places through her beautiful and engaging narratives. And it certainly helps that she had an entertaining companion in Rivers.
This is an interesting book to read – a travelogue that almost feels like fiction yet the reality of it all is so obvious. Kudos to the author on various levels – to take off for the trip and then to present it for everyone else to read – neither were easy but a job well done.
The author, Amrita, bored of the routine life sets off on a backpacking trip with her friend Rivers with only one plan in mind – to see as much of the foothills of Himalaya as possible. With no itinerary to follow, the two friends traipse from Kolkata to Darjeeling and Sikkim to Kathmandu and Lumbini to Haridwar and Leh. On their way they not only take in the beauty of the places but also encounter a multitude of different people who add to this story.
The beauty of this book lies in not only the way author has captured the different essence of all the places but also her own euphoria at experiencing something new and something different at every turn. I have spent about a decade in Darjeeling, pursuing my education, and it was such a beautiful experience to see the Darjeeling I know through her eyes. I have also been to Sikkim and Haridwar and I know that she hasn’t exaggerated any aspect about these locations. All the same it was fun to experience old and new places through her beautiful and engaging narratives. And it certainly helps that she had an entertaining companion in Rivers.
This is an interesting book to read – a travelogue that almost feels like fiction yet the reality of it all is so obvious. Kudos to the author on various levels – to take off for the trip and then to present it for everyone else to read – neither were easy but a job well done.
August 3, 2015
I got this book from the publisher and I wasn't too keen to read it at first. The synopsis didn't seem interesting either so the book was just lying on my desk for a long time. Till I picked it up one day looking for something to distract my mind. I finished it in 2 days. The pace is speedy, though sometimes it becomes monotonous, it's a travelogue after all. The author's witty sense of humour and writing style make it worth the read. And the four stars are for that.
The author and her travel companion and shown to be either boozing or rolling a joint after every few hours... that was overdone.
But otherwise a good novel by a debutant.
The author and her travel companion and shown to be either boozing or rolling a joint after every few hours... that was overdone.
But otherwise a good novel by a debutant.
August 8, 2015
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
Its a plain and simple travel memoir. Fresh writing and will fascinate those who haven't travelled in India so much.
Would I recommend it?
For those who enjoy reading travel mrmoirs... You may give it a pass.
Its a plain and simple travel memoir. Fresh writing and will fascinate those who haven't travelled in India so much.
Would I recommend it?
For those who enjoy reading travel mrmoirs... You may give it a pass.
July 3, 2022
Lassi is a traditional yogurt-based drink that is extremely popular in Indian Subcontinent especially in the time of unpleasant weather of summer. It comes in variety, sweet, with fruits, spices. Although the traditional Lassi is the salted one. However, Amrita Chatterjee's Special Lassi is not all about this traditional drink. It's more of an escapade in Himalayas with a psychedelic touch.
The journey is fulfilled by two friends, the narrator and her friend named River, while travelling across beautiful and engrossing places like Darjeeling, Yuksom, Kathmandu, Lumbini, Leh, Ladakh and a few more. The essence of these places are described by the author in a beautiful and honest manner. After reading about these mesmerizing sites, one would fancy to visit themselves.
The clarity of the writing is good, interest arousing style and with the segments of humour. Soon both the characters are barreling over potholes the size of lunar craters in Nepal, bungee jumping in Rishikesh, waking up to Buddhist chants in Sikkim and cycling down the world's highest motorable pass in Ladakh.
The book lacks excitement in between and becomes monotonous but even through that phase the adventure will never be the piece of boredom to a reader. It's a good book to pick if you need some break from the day to day animated existence and want to escape some place that you have never been before and if you want to read something in a day.
3/5
The journey is fulfilled by two friends, the narrator and her friend named River, while travelling across beautiful and engrossing places like Darjeeling, Yuksom, Kathmandu, Lumbini, Leh, Ladakh and a few more. The essence of these places are described by the author in a beautiful and honest manner. After reading about these mesmerizing sites, one would fancy to visit themselves.
The clarity of the writing is good, interest arousing style and with the segments of humour. Soon both the characters are barreling over potholes the size of lunar craters in Nepal, bungee jumping in Rishikesh, waking up to Buddhist chants in Sikkim and cycling down the world's highest motorable pass in Ladakh.
The book lacks excitement in between and becomes monotonous but even through that phase the adventure will never be the piece of boredom to a reader. It's a good book to pick if you need some break from the day to day animated existence and want to escape some place that you have never been before and if you want to read something in a day.
3/5
April 14, 2020
Show me a better Indian travelogue than this and I'll show you a white crow. Sparkling debut by Amrita Chatterjee. A book that I've gifted everyone I love and each one has appreciated it. It's a pity that the author is far too lazy to come up with anything new. This book deserves to be read far more than the kind which are mass-marketed by the top 4 publishing houses in India.
June 15, 2020
The author is so hilarious that I can't stop laughing.
Shelved as 'books-i-have'
July 2, 2016A Backbreaking Misadventure in the Himalayas
A psychedelic odyssey like no other, spanning the exotic foothills of the eastern Himalayas.In the summer of 2011, two bleary-eyed kids, teetering on the cusp of adulthood, decide to drop out of the daily grind and just travel. But once they hit the road, their plans go out the window. Soon, they are barreling over potholes the size of lunar craters in Nepal, bungee jumping in Rishikesh, waking up to Buddhist chants in Sikkim and cycling down the world's highest motorable pass in Ladakh. On the way is a constant stream of oddballs, like the five-second-tea lady, the flute-playing hotel manager, flying Sonam, reggae junkies and many more – this journey is all about rolling with the punches.Special Lassi is one part funny, two parts crazy and a whisper of wistful – for the best things are ephemeral and a lust for life is a dangerous thing.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews