Rishikesh, famous for the Beatles

I spent five exciting days in Delhi. Well on the most part it was exciting. I did take a few days to recover from the jetlag. My friend Mash, an Indian I have known since 2005 met me in Delhi. We had met each other in Nepal on my around the world trip. I saw him again in 2007 in Kerala and we have stayed in contact via Skype frequently. We had initially planned to take a train to Rishikesh, but took had his private car instead. It was a colorful 7-hours to get here. I was amazed with the number of high rise apartment buildings under construction outside of Delhi. I noticed hundreds of projects. It reminded me of Dubai back in 2008.

Rishikesh is considered the Gateway to the Himalayas and the yoga capital of the world. You can’t even get an egg here. So gone are the days of bacon and eggs for breakfast. I am becoming a vegetarian quickly. I stayed at one hotel, which was not up to my standards. I could have lived with the room, but the Ayurveda Spa treatments were not good and in a clean enough environment for my tastes. So I moved to the lovely Great Ganga Hotel. It’s a moderate hotel, but the service and attitude of the guest is superb. I had arranged to get 7-days of spa treatments. Another last hoorah before I enter the ashram. I’ve been here and have gone through all the treatments. A combination of Ayurveda and Western spa stuff. On the most part, it was very nice and the price was extremely reasonable. She only burned me with hot oil twice! Hehe. I loved being pampered and feeling like a princess. The Turkish Hammam was great and just about every inch of me got cleaned, scrubbed and massaged. I’m treated like a VIP here. Not sure if it is because my friend Mash, who is in the travel biz, or because I am here so long and am getting so many spa treatments. The staff calls me the Spa Doctor!

The hotel asked if I could write them feedback on my treatments and experience. So….. in my anal ways I give them a full 5-page typed report. I would like to get in the International Spa Consulting business someday, so maybe this is a start for me. I think they are interested, but their budget is lacking at this time because of the world economy.

Even here at this moderate hotel, the electricity and cable goes out frequently. And we haven’t even had rain in a couple of days. When it does rain the thunder is deafening! It’s loud, scary and exciting!

Rishikesh is famous because the Beatles were here in the 60’s. I think their album White Lightening was inspired by their stay here. They also learned transcendental meditation, which I hope to learn. One of Mash’s clients, an American living in India for 9-years is part of this group who teaches this form of meditation. Google transcendental meditation and you’ll see a lot of info in it.

I have stayed in my room a lot because of the heat and humidity and some rain. Every time I go out I turn into a hot sweaty mess. I lived in the desert of Colorado and New Mexico for the last 25-years, so it will take me some time to adjust to the humidity.

I met a young professional girl from Vancouver of Vietnamese heritage. She has traveled for 3-weeks alone through India and was very lonely. We had breakfast, a yoga class and dinner together before she left town. We had the Nazi Yoga instructor from Japan who nearly knocked me off my feet by correcting ones of my poses.

Every time I take a walk I have to dodge all sorts of people, animals and vehicles. And have to remember to look the opposite way of how I know! Yes the British had a huge influence here. Everyone stares at me; I swear it is not my imagination. But it is in a friendly way if you smile back at them. The dogs seem happier here than in Guatemala. I am pleasantly surprised. There seems to be fewer beggars here than I remember from my past travels to India. People touch me just because I look different, I guess. Many say Namaste, hold their hands in prayer form and bow.

I love to walk along the Ganges River, they call it Ganga! I get dizzy watching the flow. It is dangerously swift. The religious pilgrimages’ here are fascinating. The music during prayer time is mesmerizing as I hear it echoing from across the river. The tide is unusually high today. Some of the steps leading down to the river are flooded. The water is extra muddy. I haven’t seen much rubbish or any dead bodies floating in the river, yet.

The monkeys have been aggressive. At first I was fascinated with them, but now I am a tad afraid. My spa attendant was attacked by two of them while leaving work and had to get 5-shots. A monkey jumped on the Vietnamese ladies back while we were putting on our shoes after yoga. She screamed, and the monkey jumped down and looked so surprised.

It’s my last night to be bad…………I smuggled a bottle of vodka here. It is forbidden to sell alcohol in Rishikesh. I’m having a couple of Vodka and tonics in my room! My friend Mash came to visit me. It’s a tradition for us. I brought a bottle of duty free Absolut Vodka in Nepal and we drank a few V&T’s in the room when we first met. He’s pretty healthy and only has vodka with me. I’ll worry about being healthy tomorrow when I am off to the ashram. I’ll have no internet or TV and will be living a simple and basic life. Gawd, I hope I have hot water and get a room to my self. I bought some of the traditional hippie clothing, so I should fit right in now. Maybe I won’t get so many stares. Nah, it’s the fair skin and blond hair.

Colorful and chaotic, Delhi, India

After 18-hours on Qatar Airlines, Houston to Doha, Qatar, a 3-hour layover, then another 3.5 hours to Delhi; I'm in India. The flight was surprisingly very nice. I prefer foreign airlines to American ones, as they don't pack you in. You have more space and they tend to offer better service. It took me a day or so to overcome the jet lag.

Delhi is hot and very humid...........but oh so vibrant and colorful. I get drenched rather quickly. I guess I can look at it as a cleansing. I've had an Ayurveda Massage and took 2-city tours with a private guide. I have learned to use the Delhi metro system and was the only female in a car of hundreds of men. About halfway during the ride, a gentleman told me the ladies car is always the first car on the train. Surprisingly, I wasn't that uncomfortable being the only lady aboard.

Old Delhi is a wonderfully chaotic mess. It is a feast for the senses and a lot to absorb. The real India I suppose! It's a huge confidence booster to be able to get around on my own. I had to be careful to not get run over by rick-shaws, tuk-tuks, motorcycles, or cars.

I tend to get frustrated with everyone trying to take advantage of me. I have a better handle on it this time though. The poverty does seem to have gotten better here. I was last in Delhi in either 2004 or 2005, but really did not have time to do any touring of the city. I can notice the new wealth. There has been protests called by "Anna". He was arrested temporarily and it has been making world headlines. I have not been personally effected by the protests. It's about anti-corruption laws, much needed in my limited experiences in India.

I was able to tour some fascinating Mogul ruins. They were impressive!!!! Qutub Minar, a towering minaret. Red Fort, a massive complex made of red sandstone. Humayun's Tomb, a mini Taj Mahal. I also enjoyed Swaminarayam Akshardham, a huge complex that was well done and sort of Disney"ish" with robotic figures and an IMAX film depicting a boy yogi's universal values for mankind. There was even an indoor boat ride through 10,000 years of Indian history and Vedic life. I had no idea ancient India's built rocket ships and airplanes!

I treated myself to a World Buffet at one of the cities top rated restaurants, the Metropolitan Hotel. My last hooray before I go totally vegetarian at the end of the month once I reach the ashram in Rishikesh. The hotel where I am staying is modest, but Delhi is an expensive city. I need a clean and bright room. My expenses will be more manageable once I reach the ashram starting September 1st. So in the meantime, I am splurging a bit.

Speaking of Rishikesh, my friend arrives later today and we are going by car their tomorrow. Another new experience for me!

Off to India soon

I've spent the last few weeks in Houston with my mom. Taking it easy, visiting her, going to Zumba Classes and watching way too much television. I'm ready for a change and the challenge of India. I leave for Delhi in a couple of days. I'll spend about
6-days there before I travel by train to Rishekish. I have 42-days planned in an ashram outside of town learning about yoga and meditation. I am taking a class on Joyful Living and Self Transformation. I am looking forward to everything but the long flight.