News from the Tibetian border

Our avid reporter , Esmarelda, strikes again:

"we spent a night in Mandi, a small town in a valley (and therefore once again boiling hot.) We stayed in an old palace, which was beautiful, but very run down. We spent the afternoon walking around the town, and stopping in at various hindu temples along the Beas river. That night we stumbled along a magic show - apparently the best magician in India - Samrat Shankar - and God, was it hilarious. We were the only tourists, so naturally were incoroporated into the act. I had to hold a key for some handcuffs, and then had to go on stage and unlock him - We then had to pose for photos with the magician for his marketing - not my best moment ( as i am a real traveller, with no make up etc). It was a really hilarious show though - felt like we were stuck in a time warp..."

Brilliant. And this photo is the real Samrat Shankar, I cannot believe I found a photo of this guy