Planning A Party In Salli

The season had already begun and we were planning to have a big party in Salli to attract more travellers. Madhu and Noa had something interesting in their mind. I had just reached Salli on one Thursday night when the plan was cooking. There were few heavy bags of groceries that I had carried on my way. The Zen would be parked 200 meters down from our house. I would put a cover on the car before starting my uphill short trek. The local kids were quite mischievous and we were afraid that they would put some scratch on the car. One time we had parked the car in the village at some locals house and after few days we were shocked to find the seats torn apart by the mouse. So we were very careful about maintaining the car. My inertia was such that Madhu had to remind me to wash the car after few weeks.

There was a group of 10 Israeli backpackers in Salli at that time. All young boys and girls in their 20s, full of energy and life. They soon became part of the party plan. We had designed our living room in such a way that everyone would sit on the ground in a circle and there would be space in the centre to keep food. Then we all would eat together like a big family. That group had brought some amazing energy with them. Avior was one young boy among them who had taken initiative to plan the party on a grand scale. He was a creative gentleman and always smiling with great energy. His painting skills were just fantastic. In fact, everyone in that group was having different kinds of artistic talents. Sometimes I would sit looking at them with amazement that how can people be so creative and full of life.

Avior had planned to rent two big speakers, a battery and a Dj mixer. There was Israeli independence day in few days and he was planning to celebrate that in Salli by inviting all the Israelis present in Dharamkot. That was the best way to market our place to potential backpackers. Madhu, Noa and Avior would get engrossed in planning for the party. Our main concern was how to handle the police as the party was going to continue for 24 hours. Also, we were expecting some shocking reaction from the villagers. Our evenings would be spent mostly in the beautifully designed living room chit chatting, rolling and passing the joints, laughing endlessly for no reason, sharing stories, listening to Hebrew songs and cherishing the blessed time. Evenings in Salli were the most beautiful and memorable moments of my life.

Something Big Was About To Happen In Salli.