My Pancha Karma finale treatment was extra special and very erotic! My oh my……………therapy is wonderful! It was called Navarakizhi.
NAVARAKIZHI
Navarakizhi is a special massage, which rejuvenates the body. A highly effective rejuvenation technique using a special type of rice that is cooked tied into boluses and dipped into an herbal decoction and warm milk. Medicated oil is first applied liberally over the patient's body. Then the body is massaged with small linen bags filled with cooked Navara rice. The rice is cooked by boiling it in cow's milk along with suitable herbs. The linen bags filled with rice are dipped in the same mixture kept boiling and applied by massage therapist at a comfortable temperature over the whole body. Body perspires & releases toxins through this treatment.
This treatment improves complexion of the skin and restores vigor. This therapy endows several benefits to a healthy individual as well as to the person suffering from musculoskeletal disorders, degenerative conditions and neurological problems etc. The boluses made up of Rice, herbal powder and herbal leaves used in the treatment are called Njavarakizhi, Choorna Kizhi and elakizhi respectively.
I had 4-lady therapist working on me at once. Yes that is 16-hnads! You will never see this in the USA because of labor costs. It is hard to describe the sensations, but here goes. You are naked, except a little diaper g-string and spread eagle on a droni, a wooden Ayurveda massage table.
They used several gallons of hot cow’s milk mixed with herbs and mushy cooked rice. So it felt like a hot mud concoction. They are also using bolstices, linen bags filled with the rice mixture to massage and exfoliate you. This must have lasted for good 45-minutes. I would consider this my favorite Ayurveda treatment I have ever received. If it were in a luxury spa environment it would be an off the chart experience!
Today I traveled by private car to Mussorie, a big tourist spot the British set-up as a summer retreat. It was a mild case of culture shock after being in a quiet and protected compound for 5-weeks. I stopped in a large capital city of this state called Dehradun to get my hair done. I was shocked. I was the most expensive hair cut and treatment I have ever received at a $150 USD!!!!! I was shocked. India can be very expensive if you do not live like the locals. It was obvious to be an owner operator salon. He was the only stylist but probably had 15-people working for him. All he did was cut hair. My cut lasted about 2-minutes. My hair was washed, colored, and I was attended to by several others. There was even a worker to dust off the hair around your neck and one to hold the bowl with color in it. Only in India! I then had lunch at a nice place. It was the first time I have had the opportunity to have meat in 6-weeks. I ordered Chicken Tikka which is similar to Chicken tandori; only chicken breast chunks are used. I couldn’t eat it! I had to send it back first because it wasn’t done. Then I just couldn’t eat it the second time. Maybe I will become a vegetarian after all.
I am going to tour around for a couple of weeks, including meeting a friend at a wildlife refuge. I’ll tell you more about this soon. I am so excited, especially about my new friend. During part of my Joyful Living Program the teacher opened my heart chakra, so now I feel more open to giving and receiving love. I need love in my life and maybe this why I have experienced so much pain. I have also missed having my hands on bodies. It was my way of giving love.
I am at beautiful retreat that is like being in an English cottage. I’ll do some exploring in the morning. I am locaed at about 6800 feet and it is chilly tonight. It feels like teh foothills of Denver. I haven't been this chilled since early March in Antigua Guatemala. I went for a walk this evening and the monkeys scared me away. There were about a dozen or so of them on each side of the road and in the middle of the road. When there are mothers with babies I get intimidated, so I didn’t walk far. This is the first time in 5-weeks I have not done yoga or stretching in the evening. I am enjoying vodka tonic before dinner………..also first drink I have had in 5-weeks!!!!!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Life at the ashram and beyond
I have now been In India for 6-weeks. And it has been a life changing visit thus far! I have been rather cooped up (for over a month) and am ready to do some touring of the northern regions of the country. I’ve got to get my hair colored and there is only one town nearby to do so, Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand.
My stay in Rishikesh was for 10-days at a really nice hotel close to the tourist sights and the Ganges River. I received daily spa treatments and the staff treated me like a queen. Rishikesh is known as the yoga capital of the world.
After the spa hotel, I checked into Swami Rama’s Ashram for a 21-day Science of Joyful Living Program. It was very basic living. I had my own room, but shared a bath. We hate in a dining hall and had to be silent at meal time, and then wash our own dishes. There were lots of bugs and critters around. I got trapped in my room for 2-hours because there were 20-monkeys outside my door, and many were mothers with their babies. They demolished a fruit tree and tumbled over the garbage. There was a cobra spotted in the cupboards of the area we washed our dishes. Thank gawd I didn’t see it! And I was rather intimidated by a spider that was the size of a coffee cup saucer who camped out in my bathroom. Kind of scary sitting on the toilet while looking over your shoulder at the spider. It was part of our program, over coming your FEARS. (False expectations appearing real). Otherwise I would have had him removed! Thank goodness the spider didn’t appear until my 3-days at the ashram. One day I saw the security guard with a stick, and I immediately thought the stick was to kill off all the cobras. But then, I saw him use the stick to get fruit off the trees!
Swami Rama was a famous Himalayan yogi who bridged the East and the West and introduced yoga to America. He was tested in Oklahoma in 1970 for being able to control his autonomic nervous system. He made one side of his body 11-degrees higher in temperature than the other. He made his heart stop beating and could control his heart rate. Swami made knitting needles move from across the room. He was recorded as being asleep, yet new everything going on in the room. There is still a huge campus in Honesdale, PA, promoting yoga, meditation and spirituality. On a sad noe, if you Google Swami Rama you'll find lots of info on the good things he did for humanity, but you will also find some not so ood newsd. He was charged with sexual misconduct even though he vowed for celibacy. It was more than just one incident. It sounds like a big over up with his faculty. I am a firm believer that no one can live sanely and be celebate. Enough said.
I felt like I was at a boot camp for joyful living. We were getting up at 3:30 am and our teacher kept us busy until after 9 pm every night. We learned about the body and the mind and how your emotions can cause illness and disease in the body. I experienced some unusual things that people who practice yoga and meditation for many years have never been able to experience. During one of my episodes, my classmates thought I was dead. I was so relaxed! My body didn’t move, and appeared to be dead or asleep, yet I was conscious and aware of everything going on in the room. (like Swami Rama did above) For 3-day afterwards I felt like a newborn baby. I had the total conscious awareness going and had reached a state of “Samadhi”, or enlightenment. Nothing in my body hurt, (very rare for me to not experience pain somewhere in my body) I felt like I was walking on air. Everything seemed new. Washing dishes and brushing my teeth seemed new and such a joy. Eating………….even the ashram food was such a pleasure.
On the other hand, toward the end of the program, m my sympathetic nervous system was out of whack. It was too high and put me in a fight or flight zone. My heart was racing, erratic and skipping beats, my breathing wasn’t right. And I was hot and sweaty all the time and felt agitated and anxious. I think I was too aware of my breathing, or my thyroid got out of whack. Our teacher was always watching us and would say, Your CHEST BREATHING. We’re suppose to breath through our diaphragm. I still don’t know what happened to me, but I liked the stages of Samadhi much better. I have since had a few other odd, but good things happen to me. I hate to put things in writing because I’m afraid it won’t happen again!
My classmates were fun and it was a multinational group. A mathematician from Russia, and Osteopath from Germany, an American who has lived in India for 40-years, an India couple from Mumbai. She was an educated nuclear scientist, who never worked, and he owns a huge worldwide manufacturing company………. and then there was me! The teacher only takes a maximum of 7-students at a time.
I had planned to take a 10-day break then return for another 21-days course. The teacher said it was too intense to do back-to-back programs and suggested I wait for 6-months to do another one. He is a doctor from Malaysia and was personally trained by Swami Ram for many years before he left his body in 1996. He is also on the board of directors for their hospital campus, affiliated with the ashram. So having no other plans, I am now going through Pancha Karma (cleansing and seasonal detox) at the Ayurveda Center. Who in their right mind pays to get four enemas? Your suppose to feel great afterwards. I received Pancha Karma in 2007 in Kerala, Southern India. Afterwards I craved sweets and was cold all the time. Usually I love spicy food and am hot blooded. I met an interesting sophisticated, sexy Indian gentleman here for Pancha Karma who comes here twice a year. He says because he loves his wine, alcohol and rich food that he is able to eat this way even though he is a diabetic.
The campus I am staying in is a massive 100-acre complex with a medical and nursing college, hospital and lodging for students and the 1500 doctors and their families. It is all funded by the Swami Rama Trust. I’m sure with all the medical testing the US did on him that they must have or are still contributing to the trust. I’m impressed, in the hospital there is the Ayurveda, osteopathy, homeopathy, mind and body medicine as well as all allopathic medical needs. I never want to go the doctor again in the USA. I saw a neurologist for my numbness in my little finger that has been acute for over 2-years and got an x-ray of my upper spine. I had a full blood panel done for cholesterol, triglycerides, and thyroid. And I saw a doctor of General Medicine, and received medications for my thyroid and vitamins for nerves. All of this for $32!
There are beautiful gardens here and lovely places to walk. I’ll be out in the real, hustle and bustle of India soon. Yikes, about 100-yards from where I am staying they found an 11-foot King Cobra snake. Now I really watch each step when I am walking!
I have a couple of days left for Pancha Karma then I am not certain what is next. I am trying to live in the NOW! Once again, more of my training. We were taught to live in the NOW, not the past or the future. The doctor wanted me to help set-up a massage center for the overworked doctors, but I don’t see it running up to my standards and getting the cooperation I would need from the local staff. I am however; want to do some volunteer wok for the campus. They have another area up in the mountains which might suit me better. I may stop in there on my way back from touring the area.
On my “to see”: list is Dharmsala where the Dali Lama lives in exile, Amritsar the home to the Sikhs, a religious population. Unlike the Hindu, the Sikhs believe in only one god. I also want to sleep in a luxury tent near the Himalayas, stay in a palace, river raft the Ganges, take a luxury train for at least one night, and see a wildlife park.
I still haven’t had an epiphany! All of my life I have struggled with do I want to be a servant to mankind or live in the lap of luxury. I may see a therapist for a Past Life Regression Session. I understand this can help a person with many things. Sometimes our past lives can create barriers for our current life. Anyway, it is something I may consider as I feel a bit stuck on where I want my life to go. Maybe I should just keep practicing living in the NOW and not worry!
My stay in Rishikesh was for 10-days at a really nice hotel close to the tourist sights and the Ganges River. I received daily spa treatments and the staff treated me like a queen. Rishikesh is known as the yoga capital of the world.
After the spa hotel, I checked into Swami Rama’s Ashram for a 21-day Science of Joyful Living Program. It was very basic living. I had my own room, but shared a bath. We hate in a dining hall and had to be silent at meal time, and then wash our own dishes. There were lots of bugs and critters around. I got trapped in my room for 2-hours because there were 20-monkeys outside my door, and many were mothers with their babies. They demolished a fruit tree and tumbled over the garbage. There was a cobra spotted in the cupboards of the area we washed our dishes. Thank gawd I didn’t see it! And I was rather intimidated by a spider that was the size of a coffee cup saucer who camped out in my bathroom. Kind of scary sitting on the toilet while looking over your shoulder at the spider. It was part of our program, over coming your FEARS. (False expectations appearing real). Otherwise I would have had him removed! Thank goodness the spider didn’t appear until my 3-days at the ashram. One day I saw the security guard with a stick, and I immediately thought the stick was to kill off all the cobras. But then, I saw him use the stick to get fruit off the trees!
Swami Rama was a famous Himalayan yogi who bridged the East and the West and introduced yoga to America. He was tested in Oklahoma in 1970 for being able to control his autonomic nervous system. He made one side of his body 11-degrees higher in temperature than the other. He made his heart stop beating and could control his heart rate. Swami made knitting needles move from across the room. He was recorded as being asleep, yet new everything going on in the room. There is still a huge campus in Honesdale, PA, promoting yoga, meditation and spirituality. On a sad noe, if you Google Swami Rama you'll find lots of info on the good things he did for humanity, but you will also find some not so ood newsd. He was charged with sexual misconduct even though he vowed for celibacy. It was more than just one incident. It sounds like a big over up with his faculty. I am a firm believer that no one can live sanely and be celebate. Enough said.
I felt like I was at a boot camp for joyful living. We were getting up at 3:30 am and our teacher kept us busy until after 9 pm every night. We learned about the body and the mind and how your emotions can cause illness and disease in the body. I experienced some unusual things that people who practice yoga and meditation for many years have never been able to experience. During one of my episodes, my classmates thought I was dead. I was so relaxed! My body didn’t move, and appeared to be dead or asleep, yet I was conscious and aware of everything going on in the room. (like Swami Rama did above) For 3-day afterwards I felt like a newborn baby. I had the total conscious awareness going and had reached a state of “Samadhi”, or enlightenment. Nothing in my body hurt, (very rare for me to not experience pain somewhere in my body) I felt like I was walking on air. Everything seemed new. Washing dishes and brushing my teeth seemed new and such a joy. Eating………….even the ashram food was such a pleasure.
On the other hand, toward the end of the program, m my sympathetic nervous system was out of whack. It was too high and put me in a fight or flight zone. My heart was racing, erratic and skipping beats, my breathing wasn’t right. And I was hot and sweaty all the time and felt agitated and anxious. I think I was too aware of my breathing, or my thyroid got out of whack. Our teacher was always watching us and would say, Your CHEST BREATHING. We’re suppose to breath through our diaphragm. I still don’t know what happened to me, but I liked the stages of Samadhi much better. I have since had a few other odd, but good things happen to me. I hate to put things in writing because I’m afraid it won’t happen again!
My classmates were fun and it was a multinational group. A mathematician from Russia, and Osteopath from Germany, an American who has lived in India for 40-years, an India couple from Mumbai. She was an educated nuclear scientist, who never worked, and he owns a huge worldwide manufacturing company………. and then there was me! The teacher only takes a maximum of 7-students at a time.
I had planned to take a 10-day break then return for another 21-days course. The teacher said it was too intense to do back-to-back programs and suggested I wait for 6-months to do another one. He is a doctor from Malaysia and was personally trained by Swami Ram for many years before he left his body in 1996. He is also on the board of directors for their hospital campus, affiliated with the ashram. So having no other plans, I am now going through Pancha Karma (cleansing and seasonal detox) at the Ayurveda Center. Who in their right mind pays to get four enemas? Your suppose to feel great afterwards. I received Pancha Karma in 2007 in Kerala, Southern India. Afterwards I craved sweets and was cold all the time. Usually I love spicy food and am hot blooded. I met an interesting sophisticated, sexy Indian gentleman here for Pancha Karma who comes here twice a year. He says because he loves his wine, alcohol and rich food that he is able to eat this way even though he is a diabetic.
The campus I am staying in is a massive 100-acre complex with a medical and nursing college, hospital and lodging for students and the 1500 doctors and their families. It is all funded by the Swami Rama Trust. I’m sure with all the medical testing the US did on him that they must have or are still contributing to the trust. I’m impressed, in the hospital there is the Ayurveda, osteopathy, homeopathy, mind and body medicine as well as all allopathic medical needs. I never want to go the doctor again in the USA. I saw a neurologist for my numbness in my little finger that has been acute for over 2-years and got an x-ray of my upper spine. I had a full blood panel done for cholesterol, triglycerides, and thyroid. And I saw a doctor of General Medicine, and received medications for my thyroid and vitamins for nerves. All of this for $32!
There are beautiful gardens here and lovely places to walk. I’ll be out in the real, hustle and bustle of India soon. Yikes, about 100-yards from where I am staying they found an 11-foot King Cobra snake. Now I really watch each step when I am walking!
I have a couple of days left for Pancha Karma then I am not certain what is next. I am trying to live in the NOW! Once again, more of my training. We were taught to live in the NOW, not the past or the future. The doctor wanted me to help set-up a massage center for the overworked doctors, but I don’t see it running up to my standards and getting the cooperation I would need from the local staff. I am however; want to do some volunteer wok for the campus. They have another area up in the mountains which might suit me better. I may stop in there on my way back from touring the area.
On my “to see”: list is Dharmsala where the Dali Lama lives in exile, Amritsar the home to the Sikhs, a religious population. Unlike the Hindu, the Sikhs believe in only one god. I also want to sleep in a luxury tent near the Himalayas, stay in a palace, river raft the Ganges, take a luxury train for at least one night, and see a wildlife park.
I still haven’t had an epiphany! All of my life I have struggled with do I want to be a servant to mankind or live in the lap of luxury. I may see a therapist for a Past Life Regression Session. I understand this can help a person with many things. Sometimes our past lives can create barriers for our current life. Anyway, it is something I may consider as I feel a bit stuck on where I want my life to go. Maybe I should just keep practicing living in the NOW and not worry!
Monday, August 29, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, August 19, 2011
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!
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!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Welcome home to Texas
I'm spending a few weeks in Texas with my mom and other family members before I take off to India. We went to East Texas for the weekend, my sister is coming to Houston today. I'm getting all the comfort food I could ever watn. Yummy!!!!!
I'm staying busy getting my visa to India. It was a pain in the butt to get it and I was denied the first request because of proof of residency issues. I'll be leaving for N India in August.
Had dinner at Houston's Restaurant, an old stomping ground over 20- years ago. Flirted a bit with a couple of older Texas gentlemen who bought me two tasty and expensive margaritas. I had forgotten how much friendlier people are in Texas. I could actaully see myself living here again. For years I have said I will never move back.
Signed up at 24-hour Fitness for a trail membership. Attended Zumba dance classes with mom yesterday. Whew...........that was fun and a great sweaty workout.
Off to the gym!
I'm staying busy getting my visa to India. It was a pain in the butt to get it and I was denied the first request because of proof of residency issues. I'll be leaving for N India in August.
Had dinner at Houston's Restaurant, an old stomping ground over 20- years ago. Flirted a bit with a couple of older Texas gentlemen who bought me two tasty and expensive margaritas. I had forgotten how much friendlier people are in Texas. I could actaully see myself living here again. For years I have said I will never move back.
Signed up at 24-hour Fitness for a trail membership. Attended Zumba dance classes with mom yesterday. Whew...........that was fun and a great sweaty workout.
Off to the gym!
Final Guatemala Blog Entry
A lot has happened in the last month. I had 10 exciting days in San Marcos Laguna, around lake Atitlan Guatemala. The trip by shuttle van was spectacular, probably one of the most awe inspiring views I have ever seen looking down at the lake. A beautiful area, tropical without the heat. It rained everyday, torrential!
I was robbed again. I woke at 5:30 am to two men in my room. Luckily I scared them away by screaming and they were only able to take some earrings. They came through an open window. It took me a couple of days to recover and I changed hotels immediately. It took a lot of guts to stay there; I was tempted to just leave the country that day. I feel like I have a couple of guardian angels on my shoulders and it's not time for me to depart this earth just yet.
I met some interesting people and took some Reiki Classes as part of my continuing quest to learn more about massage, spirituality and energy work. After the classes I felt lighter and energetic, more aware and colors were brighter.
I returned to Antigua for a few days before leaving back to the USA. Celebrated my 53birthday with friends at Occelot, a dive bar! I lost my cute little roof top terrace apartment and stayed at a gorgeous guest house instead. We had to speak Spanish at the dinner table. Urgghhhhhhhhh.
My neighbor Tom took me to Welton for my last night in town. Volcano Fuego erupted with its greatest fury in almost five months. Just for me!
Bye Antigua, I will miss you! Hello India..........
I was robbed again. I woke at 5:30 am to two men in my room. Luckily I scared them away by screaming and they were only able to take some earrings. They came through an open window. It took me a couple of days to recover and I changed hotels immediately. It took a lot of guts to stay there; I was tempted to just leave the country that day. I feel like I have a couple of guardian angels on my shoulders and it's not time for me to depart this earth just yet.
I met some interesting people and took some Reiki Classes as part of my continuing quest to learn more about massage, spirituality and energy work. After the classes I felt lighter and energetic, more aware and colors were brighter.
I returned to Antigua for a few days before leaving back to the USA. Celebrated my 53birthday with friends at Occelot, a dive bar! I lost my cute little roof top terrace apartment and stayed at a gorgeous guest house instead. We had to speak Spanish at the dinner table. Urgghhhhhhhhh.
My neighbor Tom took me to Welton for my last night in town. Volcano Fuego erupted with its greatest fury in almost five months. Just for me!
Bye Antigua, I will miss you! Hello India..........
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