Gangtok

I have gathered a few bits and pieces of statistics off my guidebooks (mostly 2005 figures) and by asking fellow-teachers.

The population of Sikkim is about 150,000, about a third of whom live in Gangtok. The average income in 2005 was only 24,000 rupees a year. No wonder a local teacher says that her rent - 5,000 rupees/month for a large 2-bed flat - is ruinous.
The tourist guide lists 160 hotels and guesthouses, not including mine, so it's clear how heavily the economy relies on tourists. I have seen perhaps a dozen Westerners, although not yet been able to stop and talk (either they or I were heading purposefully in some direction), but I think many of the hotels are full in this holiday season, so presumably most visitors are Indians.

I'm not due back at school until Monday 29th, so I plan to take a tour up to the high mountains of North Sikkim, which must be in the company of other foreigners (government regulations mandate a group of at least 4) - which should give me a chance to get to know a few. I'll probably be offline for a few days, expect photos when I return :-)

Gnagtok being so small makes it easy to get around on foot (although it's extremely hilly) and also means that almost everyone knows almost everyone, which, while not great for privacy (I'm already famous in the town for eating "hardly anything") gives me a wonderful feeling of security.

19 Oct 2007