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.
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.
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