I've been in a town called Pushkar for the last week and a half. This town is in the Northwest desert region of India; the state is called Rajasthan. I have been hanging with three awesome friends during my time here (Natahna and Danny from Prince George, and my friend Aruna from Switzerland).
Pushkar has been a completely different experience for me than any other so far. Many of the foreigners seem to come here for business and leisure (mad shopping). The locals seem to be taking advantage of the foreigners, and the foreigners are either fighting the locals to stop heckling them or trying to get a sweet deal on an item of clothing, etc. And meanwhile no one is really communicating all that well due to language/cultural barriers.
As for me when I got here I found myself spinning around in shopping land trying to see what I can buy and eat. In the midst of it all I was dealing with a lot of guilt and worry about being a consumer. And I've never really been one to want to sit around too much and just consume. This is quite the contrast to the previous 3 months I spent practicing and studying yoga up north. That lifestyle seemed to help me to feel more balanced all round.
And on top of everything this is supposed to be a 'holy town'. Yet I have not had any experience of holiness thus far. The first day we got here Natahna and I were forced to take a 'holy' flower for the 'holy' lake. When we got there the men were shouting at us to throw the flower in the lake and give them money for blessing us. Needless to say our experience here got off to a rather unpleasant start.
This is quite a shock to me as it is the first experience I have had in India (minus the madness of Delhi) that seems to be poverished on a spiritual level due to a fixation on money. I just don't like to be a part of the whole thing which is why I am feeling a bit of guilt. With all this it isn't surprising to me that one of those nicely dressed women who stand on the corner and beg found her way into my purse when I was passing by and stole my cell phone. Theft is something I haven't come any where near to in this country until I got here.
I am really glad to have had this experience though. I have learned so much about myself and have experienced many new insights about what I want to do and how I want to live when I return home. I leave for Rishikesh again on Sunday where I will continue my yoga studies for 3 and a half weeks. After that I will do a 10 day silent Vipassana meditation retreat. Then I will just have a week before I head on home!!
In a few hours I will be going on an overnight camel safari!!!!! These camels are huge! I'm so excited. So I best be off to prepare for that adventure. I will add some pictures another time.
Lots of love to all
:D
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Beautiful Gauchar
This was a tree outside the temple. It looks like a woman.
This boy sang us hindi music while the other girls cooked us the most delicious food.
Anand's sister and mother.
We went to a temple one evening.
On the rooftop where I was staying.
Shopping with Anand and his mother at the local market. The tree in the background is considered holy in this country.
Friday, February 13, 2009
A small mountain village named Gauchar and a few funny stories
I just returned from an amazing trip.
I took a bus with my Indian friend Anand to a very small mountain town about 6 hours east of Rishikesh called Gauchar. The bus ride was a little scary as it swirved in and around the cliffsides along the Ganga river. It was great travelling with a local who took care of all the business matters though. I did not see a single foreigner over the entire trip. So although this trip was amazing, it wasn't without it's elements of discomfort.
We went to this town because Anand's mother and sister live their as his sister is an english teacher and has been posted to that location. Upon our arrival Anand asked me to touch his mothers' foot with my right hand as a sign that I acknowledge that she is my teacher and will be teaching me over my stay. My hope was that she would teach me how to cook Indian food because I love it so much and I want to make it in Canada!
I don't know where to start in describing the impact this woman had on me. I can truly say that my life will forever be changed. Any choice of words to describe this woman and our encounters together would just be limiting.
I was so happy to have an opportunity to have an inside view of the Indian culture. Aside from the fact that I stuck out like a very sore thumb anywhere I went, I had a glimpse of what it would be like to live there and be an Indian. I spent 3 days cooking, relaxing and adventuring around before it was time to leave. The place that I was staying was just beautiful. It was surrounded by mountains on every side and had a rooftop patio where I could just hang out and spend time meditating, doing yoga, reading, and observing all the life around. I could see everything that was going on in the town below: children playing, mothers' cleaning or doing laundry or just relaxing, animals milling about, men playing card games, etc. And on the side of the mainstreet I could see the hustle and bustle of the marketplace. Up high no one noticed me and I could just blend in to the surroundings and enjoy the mountain setting.
After a few days I was ready to make my way back to Rishikesh although I had to travel alone this time. Traveling alone as a foreign woman in this country can be quite annoying. At one stop I went out to go to find a bathroom. The 'bathroom' was situated directly outside the door of the bus. It was a cement wall about 4 feet high for me to squat behind while everyone on the bus watches me from the neck up. And just when you think it couldn't get worse some random guy came in and tried to pee with me. I was so discusted and immediately ran out of there. Sometimes the men in this country can really get the better of me.
When I arrived in Rishikesh I found myself in the beginning stages of a two day intense thunderstorm. It was awesome! My roommate Natahna and I just spent the day relaxing and enjoying the rain. And after the showers the sun came out in the most magical way. Since then we have been on top of the world enjoying what this town has to offer before we go on our way to the desert next week.
A quick story about what happened to me the other day: I was chilling on a patio enjoying the Ganga and the sun. I set down my sunglasses beside me. Suddenly a monkey approached. I ignored him and he may not have appreciated this because immediately he ran over snatched my favorite sunglasses and ran away. And those were my favorite sunglasses so I went after the monkey slowly, asking if he could maybe give them back. He began threatening me by bending the sides of the glasses and attempting to break them. I was like "no monkey, please don't...I love those glasses". Then he began trying to put them on his face which I had to admit was hilarious. Finally he decided they weren't worth his time so he chucked them on the ground. Natahna said I should try and scare the monkey off at this point so I went for it. I began shouting at the monkey and immediately he began charging at me trying to attack me with the most evil eyes and frightening teeth. I was so freaked out! But then he stopped, slowly walked off, and I got my glasses back. From now on I think I will take it a little easier around the monkey's.
Right after that incident Natahna and I went to the yummiest and most beautiful cafe. When we walked in the door she told the cashier her name and the guy beside her said "wow, that's my daughter's name too and I have never met another with the same". Natahna agreed to that in amazement and asked what the girl's birthday was. She told the man that her birthday was July 27th. The guy was shocked and said "no way, that's my birthday too". And in the distance the man sitting at a table by the window said "who's July 27th, that's my birthday too". All four of us were laughing our faces off. We found ourselves in a room with 5 people and 3 with the same birthday. Anyways, I just added that little story to let all know that things are getting funny and sychronistic around here. I think it's a good time to head to the desert; which I'm planning to do on Tuesday with Natahna. We are off to Rajasthan (for some camel rides and such) and from there will make our way east to Varanasi. From there I have plans to head up north to the beautiful Dharmsala (home of the Dalai Lama). Then I am planning to make my way back this way for some more yoga training with my teacher.
So that's the scoop on me for now. I am sending lots of love and wishing everyone well.
I took a bus with my Indian friend Anand to a very small mountain town about 6 hours east of Rishikesh called Gauchar. The bus ride was a little scary as it swirved in and around the cliffsides along the Ganga river. It was great travelling with a local who took care of all the business matters though. I did not see a single foreigner over the entire trip. So although this trip was amazing, it wasn't without it's elements of discomfort.
We went to this town because Anand's mother and sister live their as his sister is an english teacher and has been posted to that location. Upon our arrival Anand asked me to touch his mothers' foot with my right hand as a sign that I acknowledge that she is my teacher and will be teaching me over my stay. My hope was that she would teach me how to cook Indian food because I love it so much and I want to make it in Canada!
I don't know where to start in describing the impact this woman had on me. I can truly say that my life will forever be changed. Any choice of words to describe this woman and our encounters together would just be limiting.
I was so happy to have an opportunity to have an inside view of the Indian culture. Aside from the fact that I stuck out like a very sore thumb anywhere I went, I had a glimpse of what it would be like to live there and be an Indian. I spent 3 days cooking, relaxing and adventuring around before it was time to leave. The place that I was staying was just beautiful. It was surrounded by mountains on every side and had a rooftop patio where I could just hang out and spend time meditating, doing yoga, reading, and observing all the life around. I could see everything that was going on in the town below: children playing, mothers' cleaning or doing laundry or just relaxing, animals milling about, men playing card games, etc. And on the side of the mainstreet I could see the hustle and bustle of the marketplace. Up high no one noticed me and I could just blend in to the surroundings and enjoy the mountain setting.
After a few days I was ready to make my way back to Rishikesh although I had to travel alone this time. Traveling alone as a foreign woman in this country can be quite annoying. At one stop I went out to go to find a bathroom. The 'bathroom' was situated directly outside the door of the bus. It was a cement wall about 4 feet high for me to squat behind while everyone on the bus watches me from the neck up. And just when you think it couldn't get worse some random guy came in and tried to pee with me. I was so discusted and immediately ran out of there. Sometimes the men in this country can really get the better of me.
When I arrived in Rishikesh I found myself in the beginning stages of a two day intense thunderstorm. It was awesome! My roommate Natahna and I just spent the day relaxing and enjoying the rain. And after the showers the sun came out in the most magical way. Since then we have been on top of the world enjoying what this town has to offer before we go on our way to the desert next week.
A quick story about what happened to me the other day: I was chilling on a patio enjoying the Ganga and the sun. I set down my sunglasses beside me. Suddenly a monkey approached. I ignored him and he may not have appreciated this because immediately he ran over snatched my favorite sunglasses and ran away. And those were my favorite sunglasses so I went after the monkey slowly, asking if he could maybe give them back. He began threatening me by bending the sides of the glasses and attempting to break them. I was like "no monkey, please don't...I love those glasses". Then he began trying to put them on his face which I had to admit was hilarious. Finally he decided they weren't worth his time so he chucked them on the ground. Natahna said I should try and scare the monkey off at this point so I went for it. I began shouting at the monkey and immediately he began charging at me trying to attack me with the most evil eyes and frightening teeth. I was so freaked out! But then he stopped, slowly walked off, and I got my glasses back. From now on I think I will take it a little easier around the monkey's.
Right after that incident Natahna and I went to the yummiest and most beautiful cafe. When we walked in the door she told the cashier her name and the guy beside her said "wow, that's my daughter's name too and I have never met another with the same". Natahna agreed to that in amazement and asked what the girl's birthday was. She told the man that her birthday was July 27th. The guy was shocked and said "no way, that's my birthday too". And in the distance the man sitting at a table by the window said "who's July 27th, that's my birthday too". All four of us were laughing our faces off. We found ourselves in a room with 5 people and 3 with the same birthday. Anyways, I just added that little story to let all know that things are getting funny and sychronistic around here. I think it's a good time to head to the desert; which I'm planning to do on Tuesday with Natahna. We are off to Rajasthan (for some camel rides and such) and from there will make our way east to Varanasi. From there I have plans to head up north to the beautiful Dharmsala (home of the Dalai Lama). Then I am planning to make my way back this way for some more yoga training with my teacher.
So that's the scoop on me for now. I am sending lots of love and wishing everyone well.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Adventures, monkey's and nummy bites
This was a poster taped to a local hospital. I thought it was great.
I spent a day riding a motorbike along the Ganga with my friend Anand. It was really beautiful as you could imagine. We stopped just up from here, got some chai's and spent hours hanging out on the Ganga in the sun. It was one of my favourite days so far.
I like to keep Mr. Monkey on guard while I'm gone to keep the monkeys under control. It's funny to see the monkey's reactions when they jump up to my window and see my monkey inside.
Monkeys come to my window every day looking for scraps; or just to see what's going on. I usually pass them a bite of something. But sometimes I flash a mirror in their face for a good laugh. These monkeys are so animated.
Give it up for the Himilayan Health Pancake!!! What a marvelously delicious treat!!!
Monday, January 19, 2009
A journey through small mountain settlements
Hello all,
Before too much time elapses I want to share a little about the epic journey I went on.
So, early around 4 am on the 2nd of January I rolled out of bed and got set for the journey into the Himilayas. A yogi student came to pick me and another foreigner up closer to my home. He suggested we both squeeze on the back and hold our bags on our laps. I got on, my friend and I looked at each other and the two inches left of space on the bike for him to squeeze into and thought 'maybe you could make two trips?'. And so the journey began.
There were about 50 yoga students in total plus the Guru and a few teachers. Then there was myself and the other foreigner from Finland (Veli) on for the ride. The Guru ordered us a special car with two fun characters. I may have enjoyed this fact if I was not permitted to see outside the front window of the vehicle. However, within the first minute of the drive I found myself gripping on for dear life. Not only was our driver a mad man who needed desperately to be the king of the road, the fog was so thick you couldn't see 20 feet ahead. And you can bet we spent 3/4 of the drive on the wrong side of the road passing anyone and everyone. So I just had to condition myself to look away out the side window whenever my head naturally drifted forward (kind of like what I do when I am watching a horror or violent movie).
It was about a 14 hour drive to get to our destination. The last 5 were spent swirving back and forth, back and forth as we cruised up the mountain (my mind still wondering why our driver had to burn like a maniac around every corner). But, on the lighter note, we had some seriously fun bollywood music to keep us rolling in style. It's like music you'd hear in old classic films, just with Hindi lyrics and a much different style of singing (which I quite enjoy).
Our destination for the first day was a popular Indian honeymoon location called Nainital. When we arrived that evening I was ready to flop down and read a book in my own space. But I soon realized that that's not how the Indian people roll and not how my trip was going to unfold. Right away the students got busy playing games, music, singing, shopping and drinking chai. No one spoke much english, everyone on the streets glued their eyes on me, the weather was cold, my room was dark and there was no hot water in the hotel. I felt cold, hungry and isolated. And finally I knew what my foreign friends (as well as the international kids I used to work with at the camps) may have felt like when they couldn't communicate in their own language. It's not too often you have to feel that way when you speak english in this world.
I'm a strong girl though and these challenging aspects of the trip didn't get to me too much. I felt blessed to have been taken on this journey and to get a real glimpse and feel for the Indian way of life; both through my eyes as we travelled through various small villages, as well as through sharing the daily activities with the students. Together we travelled to different ancient holy temples and ashrams, rang bells and recieved blessings, made and ate yummy foods, sang songs, played music and adventured around different parts of this north east section of India (Uttranchal).
One thing about these people is that they LOVE to be together. It doesn't matter what activity they are doing as long as they are in the company of others. When we arrived at the second hotel the Guru sent me to a room and had five of us girls share a bed. A very large bed mind you, but it sure made the girls happy to know they would be sharing it with a pile of friends. Again, no one spoke english so I resorted to smiling, using my hands and attempting to learn some Hindi.
Overall the journey left my heart deeply impressed by the simplicity of the Indian way; particularily in the settlers of the various small mountain villages we passed through. In the early morning I would see lone men and women walking around the twisty roads miles away from any visible community carrying water, shrubs and random objects on their heads peacefully making their way to some unknown destination (that or just sitting on the side of the road). I would find myself wondering what this person was doing in what appeared to be the middle of no where and what their typical day would be filled with (also what their concept of time was like; moving at such a slow pace). One thing goes without saying, it's definitely different from mine.
So I am thankful for this eye opening awe inspiring journey. It left me feeling thankful for many things, including hot water and food that is not fried. But mostly it left me inspired to find new, harmonious and simple ways of approaching life.
:D
Before too much time elapses I want to share a little about the epic journey I went on.
So, early around 4 am on the 2nd of January I rolled out of bed and got set for the journey into the Himilayas. A yogi student came to pick me and another foreigner up closer to my home. He suggested we both squeeze on the back and hold our bags on our laps. I got on, my friend and I looked at each other and the two inches left of space on the bike for him to squeeze into and thought 'maybe you could make two trips?'. And so the journey began.
There were about 50 yoga students in total plus the Guru and a few teachers. Then there was myself and the other foreigner from Finland (Veli) on for the ride. The Guru ordered us a special car with two fun characters. I may have enjoyed this fact if I was not permitted to see outside the front window of the vehicle. However, within the first minute of the drive I found myself gripping on for dear life. Not only was our driver a mad man who needed desperately to be the king of the road, the fog was so thick you couldn't see 20 feet ahead. And you can bet we spent 3/4 of the drive on the wrong side of the road passing anyone and everyone. So I just had to condition myself to look away out the side window whenever my head naturally drifted forward (kind of like what I do when I am watching a horror or violent movie).
It was about a 14 hour drive to get to our destination. The last 5 were spent swirving back and forth, back and forth as we cruised up the mountain (my mind still wondering why our driver had to burn like a maniac around every corner). But, on the lighter note, we had some seriously fun bollywood music to keep us rolling in style. It's like music you'd hear in old classic films, just with Hindi lyrics and a much different style of singing (which I quite enjoy).
Our destination for the first day was a popular Indian honeymoon location called Nainital. When we arrived that evening I was ready to flop down and read a book in my own space. But I soon realized that that's not how the Indian people roll and not how my trip was going to unfold. Right away the students got busy playing games, music, singing, shopping and drinking chai. No one spoke much english, everyone on the streets glued their eyes on me, the weather was cold, my room was dark and there was no hot water in the hotel. I felt cold, hungry and isolated. And finally I knew what my foreign friends (as well as the international kids I used to work with at the camps) may have felt like when they couldn't communicate in their own language. It's not too often you have to feel that way when you speak english in this world.
I'm a strong girl though and these challenging aspects of the trip didn't get to me too much. I felt blessed to have been taken on this journey and to get a real glimpse and feel for the Indian way of life; both through my eyes as we travelled through various small villages, as well as through sharing the daily activities with the students. Together we travelled to different ancient holy temples and ashrams, rang bells and recieved blessings, made and ate yummy foods, sang songs, played music and adventured around different parts of this north east section of India (Uttranchal).
One thing about these people is that they LOVE to be together. It doesn't matter what activity they are doing as long as they are in the company of others. When we arrived at the second hotel the Guru sent me to a room and had five of us girls share a bed. A very large bed mind you, but it sure made the girls happy to know they would be sharing it with a pile of friends. Again, no one spoke english so I resorted to smiling, using my hands and attempting to learn some Hindi.
Overall the journey left my heart deeply impressed by the simplicity of the Indian way; particularily in the settlers of the various small mountain villages we passed through. In the early morning I would see lone men and women walking around the twisty roads miles away from any visible community carrying water, shrubs and random objects on their heads peacefully making their way to some unknown destination (that or just sitting on the side of the road). I would find myself wondering what this person was doing in what appeared to be the middle of no where and what their typical day would be filled with (also what their concept of time was like; moving at such a slow pace). One thing goes without saying, it's definitely different from mine.
So I am thankful for this eye opening awe inspiring journey. It left me feeling thankful for many things, including hot water and food that is not fried. But mostly it left me inspired to find new, harmonious and simple ways of approaching life.
:D
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Nainital, Kausani and Almora with a bunch of Yogis
On the way home we had another flat so the boys got busy and made a crappy fire on the side of the road.
This is Surya Prakash (sunlight) and Nitesh. They were the two students the Guru sent with me for the drive. We had our own personal vehicle. It's too bad the driver had to be a mad man.
The students got busy dancing and singing for hours and hours on the last night. And just when I thought it might be over the guy playing guitar decided to sing a song for everyone (about 50people) in the room. The song he chose for me was 'you look wonderful tonight' by Eric Clapton.
We were waiting for dinner so the students had another jam session.
This is one of the girls I shared a room with.
Here's a photo from behind the Temple around Almora.
This is me and my beautiful Yoga instructor Arpita.
Here's a photo with me and the whole group outside a holy ashram. I can't remember the name of the Yogi who settled here while he was alive but it was a special place and the students put on a ceremony of chanting, singing and performing advanced asanas during our visit.
Big Hanuman! For those of you who are unaware, Hanuman is the monkey god of the Hindu faith. He's all over the place around here. He is the great devotional figure and is very strong.
This big board of Jesus with Hindi print was on the side of the road in Nainital. I love how Indians seems happy to embrace different religions. Here it seems as though devotion is what's important.
Here is a photo of me chilling on the side of the road in Nainital.
Outside our hotel in Nainital.
My Yoga teacher and the Guru. Hindu's have Guru's to help people on their spiritual path. This one reminds me a bit of Little Richard.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Yoga training and Himalayan Cave journey's
Hi friends,
I have had the good fortune of being led to an ashram in Rishikesh market area. I was interviewed by the guru and given the opportunity to have an intensive training with an Indian woman named Arpita. This woman will work with me one on one 6 days a week for two months. She's super skilled and pushes me pretty hard which is good for me; no day dreaming in these sessions. The yoga school is actually a college for Indian people. Once in a while they will take in the odd foreigner if they feel he/she is devoted and sincere and right for the training. And it looks like I'm that odd one! The ashram is a short distance away so I have to make my way on the rickshaws through the bustling city everyday to get to my destination. But there's something to be said about making an effort to get to your destination.
And.............the guru invited me on a journey into the Himilayas to visit caves and ashrams with the students of the school. I will be going on Friday for a 5 day journey. The place is situated on the edge of Nepal about 14 hours north west from here. I will let you know more about the exact name/location of the place when I get back. And I will add some nice photos hopefully.
So that's the scoop for me now. I am very happy about this new opportunity.
I want to wish everyone a happy new year celebration. I have plans to go to an Indian dinner the guru invited me to tonight and then I will make my way to the Little Buddha Cafe and enjoy a Hello to the Queen; it's a big bowl of cookies, bananas, chocolate and ice cream with coconut, pomogranate and chocolate sprinkled all over. I will try to eat a whole one to myself.
:D
I have had the good fortune of being led to an ashram in Rishikesh market area. I was interviewed by the guru and given the opportunity to have an intensive training with an Indian woman named Arpita. This woman will work with me one on one 6 days a week for two months. She's super skilled and pushes me pretty hard which is good for me; no day dreaming in these sessions. The yoga school is actually a college for Indian people. Once in a while they will take in the odd foreigner if they feel he/she is devoted and sincere and right for the training. And it looks like I'm that odd one! The ashram is a short distance away so I have to make my way on the rickshaws through the bustling city everyday to get to my destination. But there's something to be said about making an effort to get to your destination.
And.............the guru invited me on a journey into the Himilayas to visit caves and ashrams with the students of the school. I will be going on Friday for a 5 day journey. The place is situated on the edge of Nepal about 14 hours north west from here. I will let you know more about the exact name/location of the place when I get back. And I will add some nice photos hopefully.
So that's the scoop for me now. I am very happy about this new opportunity.
I want to wish everyone a happy new year celebration. I have plans to go to an Indian dinner the guru invited me to tonight and then I will make my way to the Little Buddha Cafe and enjoy a Hello to the Queen; it's a big bowl of cookies, bananas, chocolate and ice cream with coconut, pomogranate and chocolate sprinkled all over. I will try to eat a whole one to myself.
:D
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