Eccentrics

Every town has their fair share of eccentrics, but of course they are far more visible in small places. McLeod Ganj has several “interesting” characters.

Outside the central chorten on Jogiwara Road is a metal box measuring about 1.5 x 0.8 x 1m. It is inhabited inside by a 50ish year old bearded Indian guy and about 20 assorted plastic bags. Although he often looks out of it, so far I have only seen him outside of it once about 20 metres from his box. I presume he has to go and use the public toilet on Temple Road, but presumptions can be very dangerous.

Another Indian can regularly hangs out next to the bus station. He is in his late 30s, about 1.80 metres tall and often wears a poncho. I first met him on the Bhagsu Road. He asked if he could look at my camera. I obliged and he started wondering off with it. I had to wrestle it off him causing somewhat of a commotion on the street. He often approaches tourists trying to sell them “lottery tickets”.

In his 50s is a balding Tibetan gentleman always wearing a fawn anorak, who can often be spotted along Temple Road. He possibly suffers from Aspergers disorder and is often seen shouting out to himself and others in both Tibetan and English waving his arms around wildly.

Unfortunately, we haven´t seen the ageing and grey pony-tailed Dutch cross-dresser who has a passion for orange and fake breasts.