Snow on the mountain above....
...and rain in town below
Woke again to another storm and after the beautiful weather the last couple of days it is hard to believe I have my winter clothes on again. The picture above doesn't do justice to the storm, but you can see that new snow has fallen again on the mountain. It actually has been raining ALL day...a real first...from 7 this morning, until now, 5 PM, and still no end in sight!
But it was not a wasted day and caught up on some letter writing this morning, then Sara met me (the French Lady) to have me help her with English. She wants to pay me to give her lessons starting next week....hmmmmm.
then we went to Boom Boom for lunch. She had roast chicken in orange sauce with little roasted potatoes and salal and I had a crepe with sour cream, cheese and spinach filling topped with tomato sauce and cheese. Quite lovely. We luckily caught a taxi going back up, I picked up my train ticket and took Sara to the new travel agent to get flights from Delhi to Leh, Leh to Srinagar (her daughter is getting married to a Kashmiri and there were only 2 seats left for the end of JULY!!)...and then back to Delhi from Srinagar.
Then helped her find a new bag and she also made an appointment with the astrologer. All this in the rain, but we were well dressed.
Now back to my room to rest and decide about dinner and where to go....such difficult decisions all the time!!
Did some needlepoint this morning and luckily have my musci as well.
Tomorrow I have a counseling session and another on Sunday...and my own Mantra Therapy session as well tomorrow. (It is already tomorrow and it was much easier for him than the first one and I felt energies moving this time as well...). Since my first one a couple of days ago, my back pain (second chakra area) is completely gone. Even went back to yoga! body \ mind\spirit....powerful stuff.
Now that I know for sure when I am leaving, it seems too soon. I'd be happier if the weather was nice, but still content with each day.
Namaste
Jane
Saturday, May 12, 2007
India Journal 2006-#58 May 11th...and yet another storm...the worst yet!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
India Journal 2006-#57 May 10- Very Fruitful Day! and...
MANTRA THERAPY...
Thursday, May 10
Today was a lovely day from beginning to end, but i will, just for convenience sake (for me) begin at the end and then go to the beginning...if you get my point.
It is now 6 PM and just finished up the day with a meeting for coffee with Abdellah...and I had my first iced coffee in over a year...and it was worth the "sin" for the pleasure I received from it! We spoke as usual and laughed and enjoyed...he is leaving tomorrow!! Very sad...andway, helped him finish up his last minute shopping and then we were discussing ways of getting back to Elhi and decided to check up on some leads I've been given about alternatives, which seemed impossible but figured I'd try.
There is a new travel agent hidden away behind some local incense shop (Tara Herbal shop), and I heard that you can get a jeep all the way to Delhi for the same price as the bus...400 rupees...seemed impossible so went in to check. I met a lovely young man, looks 16 but he is all of 21!, and he even has a branch offcie in Delhi right in Pahar Ganj....so before even discussing my own issues, I told him about my plans to bring groups and have now found
someone at this end here who can help me, in addition to my contacts in Rishikesh! This is very important to me for backup and we discussed many options about overland travel, hotels etc. Then, when I gave him my card, he asked me if I work as a Reiki Master here, and when I said yes, asked for some cards and a sign as well, which I will bring him tomorrow....
And then I got down to the nitty gritty of the jeep...seems he sends jeeps (A chevrolet Van) down to Delhi to pick up small groups, and sends them down from here empty. So when he knows he will be sending a jeep down, he is very happy to put even ONE person in it for the 400 rupees he gets...but he generally knows only close to the date. In the end, I asked him about trains from Pathankot (or Chakki Bank) which arrive in New Delhi (as opposed to Old Delhi Station where I usually come in and then have the hassle of getting to Pahar Ganj from there). Up until now, the only trains that did this were day trains and I do not like travelling by train during the day...prefer to sleep the night away and arrive in the morning...also when it is still cool, when I leave at night and arrive early morning. But he said there is a new express train which leaves at 9:30 PM from Chakki Bank and arrives 6 AM in NEW DELHI but it is avery popular train and fills up very fast. So I asked him to check for me for June 14th and there were only a few seats left! I ordered one, lower berth that I like, 2 AC and then asked the price. He told me and I asked how much for over 60 and he said "I thought you were buying the ticket for yourself!!"....well, I explained that I was and of course again this lovely age saved me over 300 rupees....So I now have a train ticket and if, for any reason he gets a jeep going, he will call me, cancel my train ticket and I will get down to Delhi in a Chevy Van, which will stop as often as I like for peeing, and which will be mostly empty so I can stretch out, and it will then only cost me 400 rupees, instead of the 1900 I will have to pay for taxi to the train station plus my train ticket.
And meeting him was wonderful and now have a new resource person here in India for when I begin my groups!
And now back to earlier.....
The Mantra Therapy....well...the astrologer had mentioned to me that he would like to give me a few sessions of Mantra Therapy to help release the impediments from birth which were keeping my 2nd and 3rd chakras blocked all these years, no matter what I tried. He explained that Mantra Therapy is just a fancy name for what the Hindu priests do when ever a child is born in India. They immediately have a horoscope made up and then if there are any problems, the priest will chant certain Mantras during infancy, and again every so often if necessary, to get rid of these impediments....but since I was not born in India, I have lived with this impediment my whole life and so he will do 3-4 sessions to try and get rid of it using the Mantras. I agreed at first but then decided I did not want to spend any more money while here on this kind of thing so left him a message. He never got the message, but I bumped into him "accidentally" on the street the same day, and when I asked why I didn't come I explained and apologized. He said he never mentioned money, had not intention of taking money from me...he only wants to do whatever he can to ease this business and make the rest of my years a pleasant as possible. I was a little embarrassed but he insisted, so yesterday I went for my first of 3-4 sessions of 15 minutes each. He explained what he would be doing, asked my permission and then began. At some point he stopped, asked me to open my eyes, and I saw he was literally dripping with sweat and breathing heavily saying" This is REALLY hard work" I've never done this on someone your age with so many years of blockage before"....he continued then and explained it would take 7-8 sessions he figures, but each one would help and by the time he finishes, I will be cleared! I take his word for it and will keep you updated.
I've noticed that tourist population here is different than from my past experience. There are an enormous amount of Asians...Koreans, Japanese and Chinese here, as well as many from South America, America, all over europe....And I see very few Israelis unless I go up to Bhagsu or Dharamkot where that is ALL I see.!!
I had a full consultation and Tarot reading today with one of my "regulars" and have another on Saturday. And another lady will beginning a meditation/pranayama workshop at the beginning fo the week. For now, my work is covering all my expenses except for my "rent" which I have put aside, and I'm not working hard at all, and enjoying every moment and being energized as well.
Walked up to Bhagsu for a nice Thali lunch today. wonder how the next month will pass...seems like a long time to me on the one hand but hopefully it will go quickly. No matter what, still healthier for me in all respects (except perhaps foodwise) to reamin here the full time. The days are still very changeable weatherwise but never so hot that it gets uncomfortable. Even at the heat of the day like now, 12-2, when I walked up and back to Bhagsu, it was quite comfortable, even in the full sun.
And that brings me to this evening....will have a nice dinner, and if I am not too tired (didn't rest for a minute today) may take in a mover 'Water" at 8.
Tomorrow meeting Sara for lunch and will see Abdellah one more time before he leaves on Saturday evening.
And that's about it
Namaste
Jane
Monday, April 16, 2007
India Journal 2006 #43 April 13-15 Train Ride and Arrival in McLeod, Dharamsala
Well, the train ride was smooth....arrived at the train station and of course was surrounded by porters and for this train I need one to get to the proper platform. One guy came over and said 100 rupees for 1 bag and I simply gave him a look and started walking away. Another guy came over to me and asked what happened and I told him the price was ridiculous and he said regular price is 50 rupees and told the other guy off! Funny thing was, while walking to the train platform, there was an announcement, which was actually reapeated every 10 minutes or so, that porters are to be paid 50 rupees for one bag up to 40 KG and if anyone over charges, you should get their number and report them to the station manager. this is really something new. Standardizing pricing is beneficial to everyone...customers as well as the porters themselves.
Got onto the train, met a couple of girls in the next cabin and we arranged to take a taxi together to save money. Two nice young Jewish girls from Toronto and we talked about places they've been in in Israel before finally retiring to our respective cabins.
Then met the other 3 people in my cabin...a Russian couple and a guy from Israel, Avi. They asked about getting to McLeod and told them they could come with me and I'd help them also get a taxi.
The trip was nice...there was a couple with a l2 year old child and fun talking a little to her and finally drifted off to sleep and slept well until 6:30. We arrived in Pathankot at 8 AM and all six of us went to the taxi stand. When I told the guy we needed 2 taxis...
he said it would be cheaper for all 6 of us to go together. Instead of 1300 for a taxi with three, we could get a jeep for either 1500 or 1700 rupees for all 6 of us. I asked Avi, who knows about cars, which jeep he suggested and he pointed to the 1700 one. It was a Toyota and I have NEVER had such a comfortable ride anywhere in India before.
I arrived at Kailwood only to find that there was no room available for me...I had this feeling for some time that there would be a problem. When I spoke to them last on the phone I even jokingly said, if I arrive and there is no room, I am sleeping in Kokila's room (the owner) when I arrive. Well, sure enough, that's the room I am now sleeping in. Kokila was upset that there was no place for me but not particularly apologetic...says I can stay in her room for 10 days or so until I make other arrangements. Nice room but I am uncomfortable being there...something energetically wrong with the room...can't put my finger on it. Also the bed is a board...so hard it hurts to lay down on it, but asked for a quilt which I put down over the mattress and now it is OK to sleep on, at least temporarily.
at any rate, I saw Nikolai, who said he would help if he could, and then decided to just go out and find a room. Spent 3 hours (!) checking every guesthouse I could find which seemed to be in a location I could comfortably live in, and noen had rooms. Some were willing to save a room for me for a few days from now, but they were all too expensive and not willing to come down in price even for a long term stay as it is high season now.
Went to see my friend Gill, who was very happy to see me and told him my problem. He called a friend who has a hotel here but it was also too expensive for me. And no room available anyway.
I finally got to this place very far out of down down a very steep hill called Hunted Hill, which was really nice. I am now looking for a place with fan as it will be hot here in another month for sure....And this place had everything, but was too expensive. The manager said he would speak to the owner and would call me in the evening...which they did and he agreed to lower the price somewhat for me and I told him I would be in touch in a few days.
Had lunch at the Japanese restaurant and it was as delicious as always. Among the people who actually recognized me and were happy to see me, were a couple of "beggar friends" from past years. I always thought they never really paid attention to people who gave them money, but a couple of them I had given special help to in the past, and as soon as they saw me, big smiles came over their faces. In their broken English, and my very very broken Hindi, they told me how they were doing, one of the stories quite sad as both his baby and father had died this year, but seeing them was good. I know it may sound funny being happy to be remembered by beggars, but it means that they DO see people as individuals and not just hands giving them money. (Or medicine, or schoolbags for their kids etc). I think they particularly appreciated the fact that I am always willing to sit and listen to them for awhile...as a friend might.
I slept very well that first night. Stomach still a little shakey, but otherwise feeling very energetic. Will force myself to take it slowly at the beginning.
Got some of theings I needed for now (a kind of supermarket has opened up here!!). Many changes...VERY crowded or maybe this is a season I have never been before. It is not like this Oct-Dec. Jogibara road has been repaired and for the first time ever is easy to walk on.
Nice to see old friends, Evelyn, Nikolai, Susie, Abdella coming tomorrow, Shajar is here. Met other regulars who are staying here. Nice people but I think this whole thing of no room being available is a message for me that it is time to move on to a new place and have time with myself. I am looking forward.
Met a lady "by chance" today who is looking for a Reiki I course and we will be in touch in a few days to choose a suitable time for both of us.
Went down to my regular internet place and the guy, who had just gotten marrired as I was leaving last time, recognized me and was happy to see me. He looks "well fed" by his wife. I told him he looks like he has a good wife and he agreed with a big smile! He also has a 1 1/2 year old daughter.
Sunday
the guys who were little boys last time I was here waiting at Nick's, are now young teens.
Bumped into Avi (from the train) in the street and we had a snack together there. Saw the cakes (!) and it is going to be hard keeping away from them I can assure you, but will do my best.
Got some cheese and a whole wheat roll at Osho to have for breakfast tomorrow with my (very small and boring) fruit salad they make here. Tangerine, banana and apple....where is the pineapple, mango, papaya, pomegranates, chico (like custard apples) and strawberries from Rishikesh????
The weather here is warmer than I expected but still nice, but I will definitely need a room with fan.
Met Lauren (from Rishikesh) also and we had dinner together at Kokonor. Disappointed me...will have to check out other places for pasta in the future. Well, I mentioned one of the guesthouses I had tried but found too expensive, and seems she is staying there and has the number for the owner. I called him this evening, and he is willing to give me a room at reduced price, and I will meet him on Tuesday at 2 pm to close the deal. Hopefully will move in on saturday. The room has screens, balcony facing off the main street and a fan, as well as 24 hour a day hot water, so it looks like it should be OK. And it is in a fairly good location for me. A little out of the center but not too far and there is internet and restaurants nearby, even one in the hotel, so it is OK.
I am now sitting in a new internet place just down Tushita road from Kailwood, which has earphones and mike so if anyone wants to Messenger me, we can actually talk here. Also has USB port so I will be able to upload pictures (if I decide to take any here!).
I will write one more short post following this about certain insights I've had and haven't written about yet, but for now,
Namaste to all
Jane
Thursday, April 12, 2007
India Jouranl 2006 #42-Adventures in Delhi April 10-13 #1
Well, here I am in Delhi, a few days after my last post from Rishikesh. Today is thursday but I want to go back to tuesday and start from the beginning ot this new part of my journey. HOpefully I will get it all done today, but if not, tomorrow is another day.
April 10th 16:13
Just got onto the Shabtabdi Express from Dehra Dun to Delhi. We boarded at Hardiwar exactly on time, our luggage was placed on the upper luggage racks by a porter and we found our seats. The train is a little too chilly for me but it is the first time in over 3 weeks that I can complain of being chilly and it is a lovely feeling. Simply put on my shawel which is always with me.
I am using my IPod with earphones for the fist time and have decided to begin the journey with some musicals. I've chosen "Oklahoma" as my first choice,
have put my chair back in reclining position, and have already been brought a bottle of water and a snack on my food tray. "Tea Kit", ladoo (sweet), samosa, apple drink and some crispy masaly snack. I have so much leg room it is unbelievable and am extremely comfortable. The carriage is only 1/2 full (it filled up at the next stop). The sun is setting in the West and this going to be a lovely 5 1/2 hours...quite luxurious!!
Just a "Oklahome" ended we were served soup and roll and butter. Now I'm reclinigna dn resting again and "Camelot" is playing. Even after all these years (I was a teenager when I saw it on Broadway with my friends Jessica Dunsay and Rina Hellman), it still moves me when I hear Julie Andrews, Richard Burton and Robert Goulet as I saw them live on Broadway.
Then I decided to "dance" until dinner is served. it is now about 9 PM. Dinner is over, enormous meal. Aloo gobi (potatoes and cauliflower), paneer (cheese in sauce), rajma dahl (kidney beans and chickpeas), rice, 2 chapaties, fresh salad veggies and small earthen jug of absolutely heavenly curd for dessert. (At the time I noted that everything in the dinner were things I am not supposed to eat and have been avoiding for the past 6 weeks...little did I know how it would effect me later on....)
Now just "dancing the night away", lovely couples dances, and will probably fall asleep. Have been dozing on and off since the trip started. Anoter 1:45 to go. Really lovely...and then Delhi!!
WOW! Again being served, this time ice cream (and that was my final downfall I think)...it was really delicious! They just don't give you a minute to relax on this train!
Sitting next to me was this sweet young girl. She is 25 years old, lives in Dehra Dun and was just home for Easter Vacation from her job as air hostess out of Delhi for Air India. She is a Christian, quite beautiful and well spoken. Has an MA in economics and is basically just enjoying a few years of freedom before her parents arrange a marriage for her...she says it will be a problem as all the nice guys she meets are Hindu, and that is impossible. She is completely at peace with an arranged marriage, as she will be allowed to pick and choose until she finds one she likes. i mentioned the movie "Namaste London" to her and she said "Yes, just like that" and then we laughted awhile about the movie.
She was dressed in jeans with a plain long sleeve top and shawel and seemed quite conservative, until we neared Delhi and she was talking on the phone to her friend who was coming to pick her up. (She also arranged for him to board the train and take down our luggage for us off the rack). She removed her shawel, and long sleeve top to reveal a very revealing, low-cut, spaghetti strap shirt just short of her belly button line...And then proceeded to put on makeup and do her hair. She looked like an entirely different person!!
Our luggage was taken down off the rack by someone on the train just as we pulled into Delhi exactly on time. The first rickshaw driver who approached us gave us a perfectly fair price, 20 rupees, to our hotel and so we didn't even have to haggle. And I didn't get to use the lovely Hindi phrases I had practiced for the past few days.
In the end, he got both of us and all our luggage into one rickshaw, instead of 2, and took 30 rupees apiece but it was still perfectly OK. I he a lot of lifting of heavy stuff to fit it all into the small space and still have room for us. He left me off first, and Ilse agreed to meet me the following morning at my hotel...and that is the last I've seen of her. I really hope all is well with her, but have no way of finding out as I do not know where she is staying and she doesn't use e-mail at all.
This new Hotel, Anoop, is quite lovely. Simple, but friendly and clean. First room I was given was small but adequate but the AC did not work so they gave me another room which turns out to be a deluxe room, very large, with 3 beds in it, lovely marbel floors, 2 ceiling fans, dressing table and lovely bathroom, for the same price they were charging me for the smaller standard room. The ceiling fan sounds like a truck and the AC like a tank but now I don't need my earplugs as every possible sound is drowned out!!
Had a lovely shower and off to bed. Slept well and now the fresh morning air is coming in the windows i just opened. Will have to close them soon but now, at 7 AM, it is quite fresh and col as it was yesterday at 11 PM when we arrived. And even though it was 11 PM, it was as alive as during the day and no problem with arriving here so late at night.
The staff is really wonderfully accomodating and I am really pleased and thankful I was guided to this place.
Will get dressed and meet Ilse soon for breakfast and at 10 will see to my train ticket to Pathankot.
OK...I will end here and continue tomorrow or later with part 2 of the Delhi Adventure.
Namaste
Jane
