Final post from home

Sunday evening, first down time since I've been back - time for the last blog of the year! And I've decided not to make it a long one after all. Well, I'll try. I've got 3 days and 12 pages of journal writing cover.

So I left off last Sunday night, when I was dropped off at the ashram after dinner with Swati, Amit and Arnav. After the good-byes, I headed up to my room for what I thought would be about an hour of packing to finalize everything and be all ready to go early the next morning. It was 9:30pm. Four hours later, I was done. Finally went to bed at 1:30, but the mosquitoes were out with a vengeance. They buzzed and bit all night, and when my alarm went off at 4:30am, it didn't wake me up - I hadn't yet slept. Up I got, gathered my meticulously packed luggage, and went downstairs in the dark to meet Amit, who was taking me across the RamJula bridge to the taxi he had booked for me to Haridwar, where I'd be catching my train to Delhi at 6:22. Actually, due to the quantity of luggage I had, he couldn't fit it and me on the motorbike, so he took the heavy suitcase and I walked across with the rest. Waited a few minutes for the cab, said good-bye to Amit, and drove out of Rishikesh. Very decent driver, calm and cautious, except for one heart-palpitating manoeuvre. Got to the train station with half an hour to spare, but train was half an hour late, so stood there for an hour with my 50+ kilos of luggage. When the train finally arrived, it appeared to be wanting to catch up on time, so it stopped only very briefly at the platform, starting to chug along the tracks again before everyone had the chance to get in. Including me. And then, like in the movies, I did it. I started running alongside the train, and with a little help - thank goodness, otherwise I wouldn't have made it on - I grabbed onto the outer poles of the entrance way, took a big step up, and held on for dear life as the train picked up speed. I remained there, with my heavy backpack and heels still protruding out of the entrance, for a few minutes, as people pushed and shoved their way to their seats, making room for me to actually plant my feet firmly on the floor and breathe. Due to seating confusion and having to do several trips taking one piece of luggage at a time through the narrow aisles from one train car to another, I wasn't seated with all my stuff until over an hour later. Then, it was 4 more hours to Delhi.

From the New Delhi train station, I walked 15 minutes to my now familiar RAK Hotel (more of a dingy guesthouse), and collapsed onto the bed with the fan on high when I got to my room. Two months of intensive yoga had pretty much taken care of my neck and shoulder problems, but 2 days of lugging around more than 50 kgs of luggage (including 36 new books) undid all that good work. Back to yoga tomorrow! After a quick room rest, went out for lunch and internet, then back to room for some TV and short nap. Some final shopping along Main Bazaar followed, then blog and dinner. Back for shower, final packing - somehow managing to fit my afternoon purchases into my already overloaded backpack and suitcase - and in bed by 11.

Up at 5am after a great, solid 6 hours of sleep, and had a fantastic taxi driver to the airport. I was concerned about the weight of my luggage for the plane, but got through check-in at no extra charge. Had some time to spare, but still ended up running to my gate after hearing the final boarding call while I was distracted with, yes, more shopping. Pretty perfect 4 hour flight to Doha, aside from the very large man in the seat beside me, whose right shoulder and arm took up at least a quarter of my seat, and who chewed his food in a very cow/camel-like manner, sound effects and all, after which he burped shamelessly and repeatedly, every time forcing me to hold my breath. Smoothest landing I've ever experienced in Doha, city of sand. Qatar is a desert country. It also has the fastest growing economy in the world and highest per capita income. Yes, I read the on-flight magazine.

Inside Doha airport by 11am, and my next flight to Montreal wasn't until 8 the next morning. Sure, I had some options, and had hesitated quite a bit over how to spend that time, but after the last few hectic days in Rishikesh and Delhi, I actually found the idea of sitting in an airport for 21 hours, with nothing to do and nowhere to go quite appealing. So I stopped thinking about how to get a one-day transit visa to go into the city, or inquiring about earlier flights home, and made a list of how to occupy my time at the airport. Number 1: Coffee Beanery for a $6 latte and flipping through Vogue India. Next was some usage of the free internet station, then sitting down to calculate my trip budget. 3x what I had planned for spending money. But initial estimate was a little unreasonable. Don't regret any of my purchases. Speaking of which, I then browsed the duty-free shops, where I'd pick up a few more things in the morning before boarding. The Doha duty-free is the kind of place that has Maseratis on display and gigantic $70 jars of Nutella for sale. Next, I found a seat by the huge windows at the take-off area and took out my Kundalini coloring book and pencil crayons from Amit's stationary shop, played some Snatam Kaur on my iPod, and was occupied for a couple hours, wishing each plane that took off a safe journey. Got my free meal voucher (since my layover was more than 5 hours), had a yummy dinner, went for a little more web, and then settled in for the night. While wandering in the afternoon, I had found the Quiet Room, a semi-dark room with semi-reclining long chairs where people could rest and sleep. Strapped myself to my bags, and started trying to sleep at 10. At 1:00 I was still restless, waking up every 20 minutes or so due to badly positioned head/neck. Seats weren't sufficiently reclined for proper head relaxation. So I left my chair, unrolled my two yoga mats, and lay them down in a corner of the quiet room. Better sleep like that, waking only every hour before getting up at 6. Brushed my teeth, put on some fresh undergarments, picked up a few things at duty-free, bought a spectacularly scrumptious vanilla bean cupcake, boarded at 8:20, and was in the air by 9. Thirteen hours and 4 movies later (Les Miserables was amazing - its powerful songs of love and revolution had me crying again and again), I was at Pierre-Elliot Trudeau Airport.

Ok, so that wasn't exactly a short post. But it's the last one... till next year's Indian adventure! It was once again a priceless and enlightening journey, and my love of India continues to grow.  

Quicky from Doha Airport

I had planned to write my final blog from here, Doha airport. But it's now 10:30pm India time and I'm sleepy. And the blog is going to be a long one. And there are no chairs at the web spot here, it's a standing station. And the instructions on the blog page are in Arabic, so I'm afraid I might click the wrong button and lose the post. So... you will read all about Delhi and Doha when I'm sitting comfortably in front of my computer at home. I'll only be getting in tomorrow evening, and will surely be pretty exhausted, so post will be written on Thursday. Off to bed; hope the airport sleep is a good one. Tomorrow morning, last leg of the journey, 13 hour flight to Montreal. Nighty night! x

Last weekend in Rishikesh

Writing from Delhi, made it here safe. But it was quite the train adventure this morning. More about that tomorrow when I blog about today from Doha. (Was that confusing?)

My final weekend in Rishikesh (for this year, at least) was a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful one. Up at 6:25 Saturday morning after a so-so sleep. Mosquitoes came back, and monkeys were jumping around loudly. As usual, started the day with a Trika meditation and a chai, and but didn't go to classes that day... too much else to do. Headed to Krishna Cottage for breakfast for a last meal with Yog Peeth friends, then blogged, had a final chat with Roshan and got some of my drawings back. He said I deserved them. (Although looking back on them now, I wonder how they could possibly have taken so many hours to do.) Last walk to Laxmanjula, a little shopping, then chai and good-bye at the rock shop. Back home, it was time for another bucket shower - this one a little more lonely than the last, when I had the company of a cockroach on the floor and a lizard on the ceiling. Packed for a couple hours then headed to Children of the Ganges for my last visit of the year. Had a great time playing Logix and Architek with the kids, two games my dad brought them last year. Then went for some night-time chai with a few Yog Peeth gals, and back to my room for more packing. (Had managed to go 2 months without stepping in cow dung, but I guess it had to happen before I came home.)

Sunday morning, I was at Swati's at 7am. I told her I wanted to watch her prep the family food for the day, most of which is done early morning. Took some notes and lent a hand, and look forward to trying on my own when I get back. (She made aloo gobhi and parantha and chai for breakfast, then her mother-in-law prepared some curry for lunch. Swati also talked me through how to make home-made curd and paneer.) Back in my room by 11, I gathered what I needed for a very special couple hours ahead. I saved my yearly Ganga dip for my last day, and combined it with a beautiful little ashes ceremony. (My aunt is the last one to still have some of my mother's ashes, and she gave me some to bring to India.) I burned some incense, gathered a few flowers floating in the water, put them into a small dish with the ashes, chanted some Ma mantras, and sent mom on a beautiful journey down the sacred river. It was a beautiful, sunny day and a beautiful secluded spot. (Papa - c'etait la ou tu a pris ma photo accroupie sur une roche l'an dernier.) It was then time for a dip in the icy cold water coming down from the mountains - exhilarating. Last year I managed to stay in 3 minutes, this year I lasted about ten. On the way back home, I stopped at a quiet ayurvedic cafe for an herbal honey lassi by the water. Back in town, I bought a couple more books (my earlier control has completely been lost - I think my last count was 36). Did a little more shopping and packing before meeting Swati at 4 to head into Rishikesh market to pick up a last few things (even did some gorceries - spices are so cheap here!), then stop by her mother's for chai, oily snacks and good-bye. Swati, Arnav and I then got a tuk-tuk to Madras Restaurant, where we were meeting Amit for dinner. It's one of Swati's favorite spots, specializing in South Indian dosas (rice-flour crepes). The 4 of us then piled onto the scooter for the ride home. I was dropped at the ashram, where it was farewell time to Swati and Arnav. Amit I would see in the morning for my taxi pick-up. (The rest about last night and today in the next post. I'm exhausted.)

My last few days in Rishikesh were filled with such tremendous joy and beauty, but rather than feeling saddened about leaving, I feel excited about taking home as much of this energy as I can, and sharing with whoever is open to receiving.

Off for dinner, shower, bed, and airport tomorrow morning.

Thursday and Friday

That time has come again, the time to say good-bye to Rishikesh. Like last year, the only thing that makes it bearable is the certainty that I'll be back. I'm off on an early train to Delhi tomorrow morning.

Backtrack to Thursday. Up at 6:40 after decent sleep, but mosquitoes still a pain. Trika for meditation then morning class. Krishna Cottage for web, then met Shona for lunch at Madras - she was leaving Saturday for Delhi then Mumbai (jealous about Mumbai!). Room break then pm Trika class, followed by my second visit to Children of the Ganges, where I had dinner with the kids. Walked to Krishna Cottage to thief some rice pudding dessert and chat with some friends I did the training with (who signed on for the next level, 300 hours, so 12 weeks of training straight; I couldn't do it). Over to Oasis for some Nutella banana fritters (had to have them at least once this year!). Home to bed, early night.

Friday. Up at 6:40, great sleep, no mosquitoes! Trika meditation and morning class. Quick clothing change in room, then walk to Laxmanjula for my last satsang with Prem Baba. It was a beautiful walk. Even though I was already a bit late and had a busy, busy day ahead, I walked calmly and peacefully, under the overcast sky. Such a nice reprieve from the scorching sun. Satsang was fantastic, and as always, Prem Baba ended with these words: "Blessed be each one of us; until we meet again." And indeed we will. Walked up the hill to the Honey Hut for a tiny honey espresso and small honey chocolate walnut tart. (I semi-fasted again on Friday, just a chai for breakfast, this snack for lunch, and later plain biscuits and water for dinner.) Across the street to Fabindia for some jewellery purchases, then quick stop at a bookshop. Over the bridge to Prateek, my astrologer from last year. The similar reading confirmed his validity, and some new info gave me plenty to ponder. A few shops over, stopped in for a chat and chai with Scott's rock man. Walked back home, still cloudy and cool, such a treat (yes, in Rishikesh we wish for a few cloudy days, as the sun constantly shines down on this town). Room break, then pm Trika class followed by the lecture on Shanka Prakshalana (the salt water intestinal cleanse I did last year... at least I could convince those who were doing level 1 for the first time that it really wasn't as bad as it sounds). Quick web break between the lecture and my second Friday night Anahata (heart chakra) music meditation. It was even better than the last. So intimate and intense. Can't wait to share.

I'll blog about my Easter weekend tomorrow, from Delhi.    

Holi - Take 2

Holi, for real this time! After Prem Baba's satsang on Tuesday evening, I walked back to Ramjulah, where I was expected for dinner at Swati's at 8pm. The eve of Holi is called mini-Holi, and is when people have celebratory family dinners. Swati and her mother-in-law prepared a delicious thali and lots of yummy sweets. I was so grateful to be invited for this meal. Snapped a few pics, then Swati's mother-in-law brought me down to the Ganga, where a gigantic bonfire was getting ready for lighting, and people were getting ready for dancing. The fire, when lit, created such intense heat that the crowds had to back away significantly. And when the festive music was turned up real loud, the dancing got out of control. Indian men love to dance. There was jumping and clapping and colored powder throwing galore. I sat with Swati's mother-in-law, watching, absorbing, taking it all in, marvelling at the fact that I was there, experiencing it all.

On the day of Holi, the 27th, the festivities take place mostly between 9am and noon. So Trika classes were cancelled that morning. Slept in until 8:30! Felt so good after going to bed exhausted the night before. At 9, I headed out into the streets (a risky and stressful thing to do on the morning of Holi - as I mentioned in the last blog, Holi is a nation-wide powder-throwing and water-fight war). I made sure to dress in scruffy clothes, and was almost running on my way to Swati's. Phew, made it there un-attacked, only about 3 minutes away. I was going to spend the morning with Swati and her family, in the safety of their rooftop. Great vantage point to watch all the craziness happening below, and great place to attack from! We filled a few water balloons to be launched onto unsuspecting victims, Amit and Arnav even equipped with heavy-duty water guns. We had our own little bags of fluorescent powder, which we playfully covered each other with. (In the streets, the powder throwing can get pretty aggressive, as Blaire and I experienced in Goa last year.) Lots of great photos and videos were taken from the rooftop, special Holi treats were eaten, and it was a fun, fantastic morning. Around noon, as the Holi war began losing momentum, it was time to head out for some blogging, then back to my room for a thorough shower scrub before my last massage class at 2. As I was heading out from Swati's a couple of the kids I had been filming below were just behind me. They followed me quietly as I walked out the entranceway, but as soon as I stepped out into the street, they giggled, yelled out in excitement, and poured a whole bucket of water onto me. Drenched and laughing, I made my way to Krishna Cottage internet to write the previous blog, dripping onto the floor.

Home for shower, then massage day 7 to learn how to do facials. Lady friends back home, you're in for a treat! Trika pm class at 4, followed by an excellent Karma Yoga lecture from 6-8. And up to my room for a much needed sleep after another busy day.

A few Google images to give you a taste of Holi:

   

Holi!

One of the most beloved days in India, the festival of bright colors and nationwide water-fight: Holi. At Prem Baba's satsang on Tuesday evening, eve of Holi, an Indian swami told the story of the origin of Holi, only about half of which I understood, but it is related to Krishna and Radha and the victory of good over evil. Prem Baba spoke a little after the swami, and ended with these words: Tonight and tomorrow, it is time for us to renew our vows with the Truth.

A little backtrack to Monday morning. Up shortly after 6 after another interrupted sleep. Mostly the mosquitoes this time, and some festive music coming from the ashram at various times during the night, in celebration of some elder's birthday. This week, I added another block to my schedule, the morning meditations at Trika. They are optional, led by Nic, who starts with about 15 minutes of talking about a different meditation technique or aspect, mostly from Ramana Maharshi, and always related to the biggest question humans can have: Who Am I? This is followed by 45 minutes of silent meditation, then the regular morning class goes from 8:30-10:45 (or usually 11 for me, since I always have questions). So every morning this week, I'm in the Trika hall from 7-11.

After class, I walked over to Swati's, but she wasn't home (she had gone into town to Arnav's school to get the results of his exams... he's in kindergarten!). Her mother-in-law insisted I still stay for a bit, and fed me breakfast: sweet chai with parantha and a vegetable-curd mix. Then she brought out a box of sweets they had been preparing for Holi and had me sample a few. Yum!

Walked over to Krishna Cottage for some internet, and when Roshan walked in, I finally asked him about the possibility of taking home a few of my drawings. (We never burned them as planned, and he told me that he had decided against it because of my drawings and those of another girl. He felt it wouldn't have been right.) So he said I could choose some to take with me, but also leave a few behind to leave some of my energy with Yog Peeth. Alright, I'm ok with that. More shopping and bargaining, some fruit salad from the fruit cart, then back to my room. Had my first cold bucket shower (water heater not working) and did my last load of laundry. Hooray! (How nice it will be to go home to a washing machine after 2 months of doing laundry by hand.) Then it was time for the afternoon Trika class from 4-6, followed by the lecture on vegetarianism from 6-7. Ended the day with a delicious moussaka (Israeli dish: baked aubergine with cheese sauce, rosemary potatoes and salad) at Oasis, then home for what would be my first good sleep in 3 days (only one mosquito, which I managed to kill; quiet ashram, quiet animals).

My alarm actually woke me up Tuesday morning, which hadn't happened in a long time. It went off at 6:30, and I got up feeling rested and rejuvenated, ready for meditation at 7:15. I actually managed to stay seated cross-legged, without having to stretch out my legs, for the full 45 minutes. Longest still-sit I've done in my short history of meditation. And then at the end of the morning class, held my longest steady headstand, about 6 minutes. Progress continues! After class, bonded with my neighbor, Ralph, from Sweden, over books (until then having only said hi in passing). I gave him one on yoga, and he gave me one of science fiction short stories by his favorite author (whose name I've already forgotten). Went to the the bakery, then internet, then day 5 of massage course (Sunday and Monday were off). I practised the back massage, then saw the demo of Nasya, oil drops in the nostrils to relieve cough, cold, congestion and sinus problems.

At 3, walked to Laxmanjula, went up the hill to Pyramid Cafe (one of my dad's favorite spots from last year), where I drank a delicious kombucha and had the Pryramid salad - fresh veg from the onsite organic garden, fresh sprouts, and spirulina on top. Delicious. Back down onto the main path, stopped into Scott's rock vendor to pick up a set of 7 essential oils, one for each chakra, and put aside a beautiful emerald ring, which I'll go back and pick up tomorrow. It was then time for Prem Baba, at 5, where this blog started.

I seem to be getting more carried away with my blogs as this trip comes to an end, so I'll wrap this one up here, even though I haven't even gotten to the title of it! All about Holi celebrations in the next post.

Sunday

Despite the good mattress, great pillow and fresh air, I did not have a very good sleep my first night in my new room. There was chanting coming from the ashram all night. It was lovely, don't get me wrong, but when combined with a couple mosquitoes buzzing around my head and biting me several times, and the bulls in the nearby fields making deep, loud moaning-like sounds in the wee hours of the morning, it made for a very interrupted sleep. I had been hoping to sleep in a little since it was Sunday, day off, and since I had had such a hectic last few days, but I was up with the sun. Though my eyes were heavy, they were thrilled to soak in the rays of the bright sun rising over the mountains, coming through my open bathroom window (the rays, not the mountains). Made me forget about the restless night, and rise in love with my room.

Sunday meant no massage class and no Trika classes... what to do with all this free time?! Started the day with some routine Sunday laundry, then walked over to Swati's for a short visit, where I was fed a sweet cream-of-wheat-like breakfast mushy deliciousness, with a cup of hot, milky, sugary, chai, of course. Went to internet for a bit, then off to the women's meeting. I mentioned we had no Trika class today, but we did have an optional meeting. Like last year, after the brahmacharya lecture, a female teacher offers a meeting for the women, and a male teacher offers a meeting for the men, so that we can more openly and comfortably discuss more personal or gender-sensitive issues. We had a great discussion, and a wonderful opportunity actually came up from it. The teacher, Kamala (from Estonia), has been studying and practicing Tantra for 8 years and is traveling around the world giving workshops. When I mentioned I was form Montreal, she said this was one of the places she was hoping to bring her workshop in the near future. But wherever she goes, she needs a contact to help scout out possible locations, publicize, and help organize (and share profits with). I'll be that gal this August! So if anyone might be interested, let me know. (Let me specify that I'm referring to Tantra in its genuine, traditional, holistic sense, not just related to sex orgies as it has unfortunately come to be misunderstood in the West - and in some Osho retreats. More on that when I get back, but in the meantime, for those interested, have a look at http://www.shambhala.com/tantra.html and http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/761025.The_Serpent_Power)

Finished my laundry after the meeting, then did a little souvenir shopping, putting my growing bargaining skills to good use. Walked down near the river to the best juice stall in town for a mango-orange-mint delight, and an hour of book browsing in the nearby shop (only walked out with 2 books, great control!). Back in my room, I had couple hours to read and relax before heading downstairs to the Trika hall for another optional Sunday activity: 8pm movie. Shortly after 7, a thunderstorm erupted with heavy rain - perfect for movie night! (Though we did have to plug the TV into a generator... no electricity in my room or in the hall. We watched The Shift - Wayne Dyer - lousy acting, but great message and teachings.) 

Speaking of thunder, a new favorite quote from one of the books I bought earlier that afternoon, (Thoughts and Prayers from The Fakir): The One who makes the thunder roar also hears a butterfly sigh.