Since this post isn’t a travel guide, above is a quick summary of some tips for Mussoorie! Let’s continue with a little story:
June 2019
Leaving Rishikesh on a bus to Dehradun, and then to Mussoorie!
Ooh Hello Mussoorie! You look a little like Darjeeling, but I guess all hill stations in India look alike!
Mussoorie is basically a popular hillstation and was also my final destination in India. I wasn’t expecting much, since I knew I wasn’t going to go to most of the touristy places – it was more of a place to relax and end off my Indian adventure.
I’ve mainly been eating my face off in Mussoorie. Here are some of the places I ate (and remembered to take photos):
Little Llama Cafe
I spent some time here just relaxing, writing my travel journal and reading a book. I was one of the only few customers there, and managed to snap the best table on the rooftop! Loved their smoothies; I also had their apple pie which was decent.
Uphar Restaurant
I try as much as possible to not eat at the same place since I like to try food from the different stalls – even though they mostly sell the same things. The magic about Indian food is that they can taste very different and each stall has their own distinct taste. Somehow, I broke my own rule here in Mussoorie. Uphar Restaurant stole my heart.
Their Mixed Uttapum is the BEST. I’ve had it twice!
And wash everything down with their signature soft serve.
And now the unexpected free meal.
Uphar Restaurant is almost always crowded (not surprised, since their food is really good). I was alone, so I asked the staff whether I could still dine there, considering it was super crowded. The staff told me to just grab a seat at their only empty table left – it was a table for four.
While waiting for my food, a couple (in their 40/50s) were searching for a seat and almost left as all the tables were occupied. Really? They were going to give my favourite restaurant a miss – because I was selfishly hogging the entire table. I told them they could join me, and so we all sat together. It was awkward at first, but I decided to break the silence and asked them if they were here for a holiday. They told me that they were from Delhi and here for vacation. They also have a son around my age, currently doing his internship in the US.
My food took longer to come, and they kept asking me to try their food while waiting. We chatted here and there, and I could see that they were very interested in me – maybe it’s because I’m kinda like their son: in a foreign country away from home and all alone.
They eventually finished first and before they left, they told me they PAID FOR MY MEAL and told me not to pay later. The fact that they were sharing a meal while I stuffed my face with a full plate of Uttapum says something. I know treating someone to a meal may not be a lot, but ask yourself if you’d really pay for a stranger’s meal – one you met just 15 minutes ago in a crowded restaurant. I was touched and beyond words. They wished me all the best with my travels and told me to stay safe.
I wish I had remembered to ask for their contact so I can show them around Singapore if they ever visit. I decided to walk around the main bazar area a little after dinner in hopes of catching them, but sadly, that was the last time I saw them.
India never fails to surprise me and I always walk away humbled. Thank you for the great hospitality! 🙂