By Sarah Gittleman
I first came to McLeodganj in 2013 after graduating from college. The plan was to stay for about five or six weeks, but by week two, I knew I couldn’t leave so soon. Some people joked that the town is “sticky” – once you visit, you’ll never want to leave. Many who thought they were merely passing through have become long-term residents, I was told. I don’t doubt a word of it since I canceled my flight and extended my initial visit, and was planning my return trip before I had even arrived home.

A few months later, I was back in Mcleodganj. It was on this second trip that I started working with Lha Charitable Trust, as well as a few other local NGOs.With a background in political science, I found myself most interested in writing for Lha’s Contact Magazine, since the role encourages a deep understanding of the Tibetan situation and the challenges that the refugee community faces here and abroad. During this second visit, I wrote articles on a variety of subjects and learned a tremendous amount about everything from geopolitics and international law to the particulars of Tibetan Buddhism.
Unfortunately, the time came for me to depart again, but I didn’t feel any the more ready to say goodbye than I had during my second week here when deciding to extend my trip the year prior. I felt immensely connected to the work I was doing, and to the town itself. Sadly, there was just no way of staying. Nonetheless, I promised myself that I would someday return.
A few months later, I was back. I had really fallen for this “sticky” town, and couldn’t stay away for long –I missed the beauty of the town and the people within it. Upon my return, I continued contributing articles and even got involved in new ways.
When I left McLeodganj for the third time, I thought it would be decades before I would be able to return. I enrolled in graduate school and started on a new path, but I never stopped missing this little town in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Maybe I’m getting a bit too predictable, but I did eventually find my way back! Again, I have become involved with Lha, and I am thrilled that I have been welcomed back as a writer for the next few months until I must leave again.