This will be a short post just to catch up. I've had a very long, but very profitable day, and am quite tired now.
So, first of all, as the weather has gotten so hot, I tend to stay close to "home" in the daytime, and we've decided, my few friends and I, that it is best to head out after 4 in the afternoon to do our walking, shopping, have dinner,
see the lovely sites at nite, and come back by rickshaw later in the evening.
That's the plan, but today already started differently. First of all, I had a long business talk with Nandu and we have pretty much come to terms about all technical things which I will write up nicely as a contract and we will both sign it. And then, it is up to me!@
And then, as planned yesterday, I went down with Ilse and Ruth to a dental hospital which Ilse discovered, to see what it was like and perhaps have our teeth checked. Well, as you can see from the above, it is a fabulous, amazingly wonderful modern place, comparable, both inside and out, as well as in efficiency, to any type of medical institution I've seen anywhere in the world. 
We registered (for 10 rupees), opened files, and were each sent for an initial examination by a dentist. Since it is a college, there are rooms FULL of chairs, and so never any waiting. There is always a doctor, and student to check you. We were each checked, and from what each of us knows about ourselves and our past experiences, the diagnosis were both accurate and honest. No one suggested anyone do unnecessary treatments. Ruth needs a filling done, which will cost her 400 rupees for a white filling. I had a cleaning done, with a machine (they call it ultrasound T-scaling, or something like that). It was completely painless, no bleeding, no pain, and in all the years I've been getting cleanings, my teeth have NEVER been this clean. It is quite lovely. Then I was sent to have my gums checked, and the verdict was, that as long as they are not getting worse, there is no bleeding or sensitivity, then there is also no reason to do anything about them, certianly not surgery. They said in the event of sensitivity around the teeth which are exposed at the gumline, they have some kind of coating they put on these teeth to protect them, similar to enamel. I've never heard of it, but will ask when I get home, but at this point, they said it would be a waste of my money and to come back in 6 months! I paid the handsome price of 700 rupees for all this. We met another guy who is doing root canal and he has paid 1500 rupees for the root canal and 400 rupees for the crown!!
So, another life solution has been found. I will begin doing my regular dental work here, and if I get to the point where I need something more serious, it will certainly pay off. Ruth is missing 4 lower teeth on one side and they suggested they make a bridge for her. She said no one ever suggested it before but when she goes to do her filling, she will get more information.
And to end the whole thing, My New "Issta" bag is lovely, a perfect copy...same same but different...and MUCH nicer. Also has an extra pocket on the inside. So now I am making a second one in plain fabric which will also have little mesh holders on the side for water. And they are thinking of using the design to make bags to sell.
Namaste
Jane
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
India Journal 2006 #32 - March 28th, DENTAL CLINIC and SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
THE SPA
Here are pictures of the Spa where I was offered work, and am being encouraged to bring groups. I am really thinking of getting some people together as it is really a nice place and think it could be a good "getaway" for a couple of weeks, togehter with some shopping in Delhi, and all the excursions which are available around Rishikesh, including white-water rafting, trekking, mountain walks, lovely town and interesting areas to see all withing walking distance as well. Let me know what you think of this place. The prices are also quite reasonable for what you get at this place. Between 1450-2450 depending on the room (the cheapest rooms seem just as nice to me as the expensive ones!)...all the rooms are AC, with bathtub, lovely views, etc. 
Click on "read more" to see more pictures....
Monday, March 26, 2007
India Journal 2006 #31 March 25-26 - Just Another Day
March 25th
Well, today I had decided to have copies made of the ugly Issta backpack I use all the time, but which is so comfortable for me. The tailor here said he could do it so will be going down to look for a nice wall hanging to use as fabric. (In the end, I didn't find any, and the next day-actually this morning-I went into the market as well with no luck). I am also on my way to the astrologer but am now sitting at the German Bakery over the Laxsman Jula Bridge
eating a nice breakfast. In the end, the astrologer was not there (he was supposed to arrive back from Europe today, will have to look for him again in a couple of days)...as mentioned, no fabric found, but did find a really nice book shop. Will come back one day. Got some more of the Tulsi I am now taking to send home and spent the rest of the day surrounded by people who needed by "services". Went to bed early, and to my great surprise, first my daughter Shira called, and then, after falling sound asleep, my daughter Elisheva also called. We had great converstaions and I really like this idea of the mobile with me. I do not let it intrude on my life here, but having when I need it is really great.
March 26th
Woke up this morning to go down to the market with Ilse but in the end, as mentioned, no luck. Was not feeling to well so we stopped at the Welcome Center, had a snack and then took a rickshaw up...fell asleep and woke up feeling even worse...finally realized why. There is a Chamsin outside, and this always does me in...not so much the heat, but the dryness...so I will rest the rest of the day...I am now sitting in an Air Conditioned !! internet place and it is lovely...
Nandu, the owner, had another discussion with me, and from everything he says, he is quite serious. But he is an India, so I still have no expectations. He will be putting my name and website in his brochure so that will be good advertisement for ME anyway. Tomorrow he is supposed to take me up to see the Spa.
He seems to be perfectly willing to wait until NEXT August for me to come back. And guess what? The doctor who will be running the Panchakarma treatments at the spa is Dr. Arora. the same doc I've been talking with ...so I am in very good company.
Nandu is also trying to convince me to bring a group of "rich old ladies" with me in February. Maybe it is also something which will work out. I will be in touch with him by e-mail and tell him my ideas, and if can make all the local arrangements, it could be a good deal for me.
Also will look into getting a business visa when I get back to Tel Aviv which would let me stay here longer than 6 months at a time.
I finally got my package put together today as well and it is being parcelled up as I sit here...then I just have to get someone to help me get it to the post office. It weighs almost 20 KG.
Will also be using some fabric the tailor here has to make my new back pack, similar to the Tibetan, and Nepalese fabrics used so often in Dharamsala, and I think it should come out quite nice.
I had wanted to write a couple of difficult stories I've heard the last few days, but will leave it for another day. Don't really have the energy right now, despite the AC.
So, this is a fairly boring post, but still sent with love.
Namaste
Jane
Sunday, March 25, 2007
India Journal 2006 #30 March 23rd...Meeting with Akhilesh
Akhilesh, my Reiki Master, who some of you may remember from the interesting stories revolving around my first meeting with him in 2001, is someone I always look forward to seeing, particularly because of our interesting history together.
I knew he would be with his Swami in Rishikesh and finally found the time to go and look for him and see him at his ashram today. He had told me where it is, and several people told me it was no problem to get to as all the riskshaw drivers knew where the ashram is...it is apparently quite famous. When I finally found it I understood why. Called Dayananda Ashram, it is almost in Rishikesh town, on the banks of the Ganga (opposite the river from what used to be the Maharishi's ashram-known here as the "beatles' ashram"), and it is very large, very beautiful, and totally Indians. Very very few foreigners
come there and it has a truly lovely feel about it.
I had an easy morning and afternoon and then picked up a shared rickshaw on the road for 5 rupees, and he knew exactly where to let me off, but tried to convince me to take a private rickshaw for 40 rupees to take me all the way down...I said the main road was fine but he looked skeptical. Anyway, he dropped me off just a couple of blocks from the main market and told me how to walk, but the owner at the guesthouse had already given me a map as to how to walk and Akhilesh had given me some landmarks so I felt OK. I began walking through small side streets in downtown Rishikesh...real India you could say, and nothing was written anywhere in English. I just stopped every so often and asked a shopkeeper, and they all knew exactly what I was looking for but had difficulty explaining exactly how to go. In the end, I found it, without much difficulty, and when I got to the gate there was a guard sitting there. I asked if he knows Akhilesh and was very happy to say he did (afterwards I found out why everyone seemed to know him so well...he has been living there for over 20 years, in recent years only 1 1 /2 months twice a year but in the past for much longer periods)...he sent some boy with me to show me where to find him, but all of a sudden he left my side and just said Akhilesh, pointed straight ahead and walked away. There was an office there so I went in and an old guy was sitting at one of the desks, dreaming. I asked if he knew Akhilesh and he said yes but didn't know what room but he would find out from the guy at the gate who DOES know. A few phone calls later and his saying, in English into the phone "Some LADY (!) is looking for him"....he told me room 159. OK, I ask, and where is room 159..."in garden" says he...and where would that be? Some more pointing and then as if to say "get lost", sits back down at the desk and goes back to his dreaming.
I walked out and asked the first person I saw for room 159...points in a certain direction and sends me off as well...I try again, and again come to prayer places, "no footware beyond this point"...kitchen,,,,meeting rooms, but no room 159. Finally came to another guard and asked him for 159 and he says "Ah, Aklesh...yes...market...10 mintes...one hour...back..."...and with hand gestures I asked "what to do? where to go wait?" and he looks at me with a big grin, as if to say "what a silly question"...and just says "Ganga".....Guess it was a silly question as I was on the banks of the Ganga and didn't realize it...and so very happily went to sit for an hour on the Ganga....aside from the pictures in this post, I also took a video..perhaps the sounds will come through as well.
So I went to sit, and it was quite lovely, and peaceful. 
Women doing puja, some babas meditating on rocks, and children frolicking naked in the water...
and just as I was getting comfortable on a rock I had chosen, someone comes up behind me, a cute young Indian guy, and I became worried...he approached me and said "come, come...Akhilesh is looking for you!".....And sure enough, he was up top waving at me. Seems this young guy had heard me talking to the guard, and not wanting to waste time, began running towards the market to find Akhilesh and bring him back!
So, we spent a lovely hour or so together...he had to get to another course at 5 at the Iyengar center in Ra m Jula as a prominent Yoga instructor named Barbara from the States was giving a course fo 10 days and he had signed up. When I asked him why, what did he have to learn from an American, he said not so much Yoga, but teaching methods and English ways of explaining ideas and postures etc. Since he now teaches all over the world, France, Switzerland and Barcelona this past year, he is always looking for better ways to explain things to foreigners so that they will understand.
I am always pleased to see him, and each time I do, there is a new presence about him, a further dignity, (even some grey hair which is distinguishing for a man), and a new seriousness about his life purpose. I was very pleased with our meeting and he was as well...I showed him pics of the family which he always likes to see, and told him about my experiences with Reiki classes in Rishikesh, and he was very pleased and very encouraging as well.
I will see him again in Bhagsu, but this meeting left me with a very wonderful feeling. Getting feedback and validation from your Master is always wonderful. When I arrived back at the guesthouse, one of the guys who works there stopped me asked what happened to my eyes? I didn't understand and thought perhaps my eye makeup was running, but he said no...you look ....and he was stuck for the word so asked where I had come from.
I told him from my Reiki Master and he said "That's it...your eyes are glowing...you look extra happy"...It was amazing that he would notice that and even more amazing that this meeting, which left me feeling wonderful, would show up so clearly on my face!
So, all in all, a lovely day, as they all seem to be lately....enjoy the pics...hope to write up another post yet today about my further meeting with Nandu and the work when I get back, but will see how things go....
Namaste
Jane
Saturday, March 24, 2007
India Journal 2006- #29 March 24th-Out of Order but Nice
I will be writing about yesterday when I come back here tomorrow (hope ;you understood that sentence), but I have such wonderful news to share from this morning that I didn't want to wait so I will take the time now to just write about today ...so far...it is now 3 in the afternoon, and I've already been at the computer for over an hour, but needed to catch up with other important stuff as well...so, my day today:
I had decided to make an appointment for a second consultation with the Ayurveda doctor I had seen a week after finishing my Panchakarma if you remember. That means I came to see him the first time 3 weeks ago. I will not rehash what he said then, as I'm sure you remember, and if not you can check it out for yourself if it is important for you...but I arrived this morning with a list of questions and just
wanting to hear in general what he said. I have been feeling much better lately and assumed that part of that was due to my better eating habits, and wanted to see if there was any validation for how I was feeling, as well as find out if there was anything I could do once I got home to maximize the effects for as long as possible, until I could get back here.
I walked in and he was very pleased to see me, and spent an unusually long time checking my pulse. He had opened my file and it was almost as if he wasn't quite sure he was "seeing" right, and kept rechecking. In the end, after also checking my tongue and eyes, and with a big smile on his face, he said"I guess even 2 weeks of panchakarma works!". "You are 100% better than the first time I checked you" (I was also told that the full effect of Panchakarma kicks in after 2-3 weeks and I've also been more careful about my diet the last couple of weeks).
"Your doshas are all in balanced...your Vatta is a little high but this is perfectly normal for your age. You are very well!".
Also told me less walking and I do feel better when I don't overdo walking. Said to walk slowly to one place and then sit and enjoy that place and then even take a rickshaw back home afterwards. And this is pretty much what I've been doing since it has gotten hotter. "Too much movement not good for you...take all things slowly...reduce stress...let God worry...You don't have to!" (I LOVE this guy). "And you should be fine until you get back here in February".
He prescribed some general body strengther and immune system enchancer which he said may even save me from the pollution in Delhi. Too bad I didn't ask him sooner, but will begin today and buy ehough for 6 months as he suggested.
Then I had a lovely breakfast at Welcome Center (took a rishshaw down). I even met my neighbor Suavamir, who is also doing Panchakarma and we walked back along the banks of the Ganga. Warm but pleasant breeze down there and certainly much nicer than walking on the main road.
And now sitting with Deepak and Vivek for a visit. As I walked in they both had a look of amazement on their faces. Seems just last night they had discussed something and decided to call me today and ask me to come over!! Seems they want me to come this week and teach THEM Reiki...but I told them I have declared this time vacation time for myself and will probably say know. Will let them know tomorrow.
Decided to walk along in Ram Jula and on the way I finally found something for the boys as well. I think they will like it (or not)..not T-shirts (which I bought in the end for the "big boys" in my life...just to let them know I am thinking of them as well. If they don't fit, or fall apart, they will still make good dust rags!. For the "little" boys I got these cute Indian fabric shirts with collar and short sleeves, but cotten, not T-shirt... moe dress or sport shirt style. Hope they like them.
Will really have to get this package together now and send it off.
I am now sitting at Green restaurant, eating pasta for the first time in 2 weeks and thoroughly enjoying it.
I keep discovering new and lovely thigns about Rishikesh and really look forward to coming back here. It is a MUCH easier place to be than Dharamsala, especially nowt that I've been asked not to do much walking, particularly uphill!
I still find it so peaceful here. Like an oasis of calm in the hassle of the world.
Did a couple Tarot readins yesterday for other people in the guesthouse and had a long pleasant evening. This morning I awke for the first time with no strong wind blowing in the trees. And so it was even more pleasant doing my morning stuff on the terrace.
I am loving my new sandals and enjoy every step I take in them.
The need for a laptop has become more and more clear to me each day and I go down to the internet and fail to complete my "daily assignemtn", and again find myself backed up....
I will end here and get this lovely post off to all of you with my love.
Namaste
Jane
Friday, March 23, 2007
India Journal 2006 #28 - Confusion and Comprehension
This will be a very personal kind of post so if you are only interested in the travel stuff, you can skip this. But it is important for me to include this in this journal as it is no less part of my travels than the other stuff. For me, every trip to India is part of my Journey Within as well, and this is part of THAT journey.
It actually happened all several days ago but haven't gotten around to writing it yet, but the timing is really not all that important. And if I had written immediately, I would not have the full picture sorted out yet, so it would not be complete. It's been an intense "trek" but I am feeling wonderful having completed it successfully.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007...6:30 PM
I am sitting here now totally confused. It seems as if I am being given two completely differention options and being asked to make a choice. Now I've been offered a job as the official Reiki Teacher/Master for Swiss Bhandari Cottages as well as their spa...being included
on their website, in their advertisements etc., the manager has already asked what I need and I said a massage table, so he is going to order one! But of course the season here is August-March. Just when I originally thought to come back (Sept-October), and it would seem just perfect.
But, of course, the other option is being home completely with my family in the role of Mother for 2 daughters, one already pregnant with twins and the other talking of becoming pregnant shortly.
I think this is THE most difficult choice I've ever had to make. I guess I already know what my heart is telling me to do...I DO know that there is really no question of making a choice here...it is obvious where I must be, and WANT to be. But something seems out of place here. Why would all other things be working out exactly as I have visualized them, prayed for them, and meditated on them. I have been put in a place where it seems I have been made to turn my back on all the Universe has manifested for me.
A matter of faith? That there will be other opportunities? That this is just "their" way of showing me how simple it is to manifest so that in the future I will just simply do it again, when the time is more suitable? Or is it shutting a door which shouldn't be shut? Things have flowed so easily for me for so long now. This is confusing and unsettling.
After writing the above, I sat and contemplated for some time...asked for clarity and guidance as I usually do, even did a Tarot reading, and all of a sudden, as if a written page had been shoved under my nose to read, it all came clear as crystal to me.
This IS their way first of all of telling me, of showing me, that my Faith is justified and that ANYTHING that I choose to manifest in the proper way, will be sent to me. And that just as this came along, with no effort, so will the next thing. I may still be asked to work in this particular position when I finally get back to Rishikesh, or something even better and more suitable to me may come up when the time for me to come back to Rishikesh is right.
In addition, I realized other things as well....
For the future, my real place of work will be India! I will not have to work at home in order to be able to come to India to rest, but I will be working in India to support myself as much as possible here, and not have to use my savings for my staying here, and when I am home, aside from the work which will come to my clinich and my teaching...the Universe will continue to guide all those people to me who need my special services....and this will give me enough money to pay my immediate expenses of food, phone, internet, car etc., the rest oif my time spent at home in Israel will be sacred quality time devoted entirely to my family. Not as in the past when I was so tired from working I barely had time to see my loved ones, but I will be free to spend as much time with them for those months that I am in Israel. Time during the week for serving others in my clinic, but most of my time devoted to family matters.
Now, this will involve one other thing...It is clear to me that during this stay at home I must have a place to live and be free to take care of whoever I need to. Eventually Shira and Shmulik will have some form of unit for me, but until then, at first I will have to be near Chanale and her twins, and after that, even living together with Aviva for the time she needs my initial support.
And Shlomit's rent must be paid as she must stay in that apartment until she finishes school! I could use the place on weekends to come home and rest up...or for treating people or giving Reiki or Yoga classes, but I basically must live near whoever I am caring for at the time.
I cannot be expected to work and properly take care of them, or there is really no need for me to be there!
Exactly how this will all work out I do not yet know, but I know it WILL work out and that I will be completely there for both Chanale and her family and afterwards Aviva. In between I will make it back here at least to do Panchakarma in February perhaps, but other than that, the next period of time is for my family.
I think all my family members will be "drafted" into making this work....finding me a place to live, finding a way for Shlomit to stay where she is...it will all be in place by June.
So I will end this here and say again....I am truly blessed!
Namaste
Jane
India Journal 2006 #27 March 22 Room with a View and a Perfect Day
March 22nd
First, I just want to write about TODAY, (there are more lovely pics further on in the post) as it was such a pleasant day...as a matter of fact, so pleasant that I was brought to tears of joy several times during the day. I woke up, did my morning stuff and yoga, ordered my breakfast on the terrace, and then decided to go down early to internet, which I did. But not before Ainat came up to tell me she is really ill, and meeting other friends down in the restaurant. Esben, who left today, and Ilse...made an appointment to meet her for lunch at the orphanage, and then went over to Ainat's room where I found Shakti already there. Shakti, the photographer from Australia who is now travelling the world after living 1 1/2 years in China teaching English,
has finally made the decision to stay in Rishikesh. so she also left today to go to renew her visa in Katmandu and will be back in a week. We both treated Ainat, I spoke with her for awhile, and then she went to sleep and I thought to find my way down to the internet. Then decided to make a few phone calls first, which I did. I am leaving here on April 10th for Delhi and shopping, and on the 13th wanted a train to Pathankot and on to Dharamsala. But the trains are all full...so I will hope that when I get to Delhi I will find a ticket via the tourist quota, or as one guy suggested here, the "old lady quota".
So I decided to make sure that I had a room waiting for me, but had no luck calling this morning, so went down to the internet. There a found a letter from Kelly telling me that my friend from New Zealand is already there and using his room as he is living today, and that Nikolai, another friend, has taken a room as well and everyone is waiting for me to arrive. But he said I was lucky I hadn't come yet as winter is not letting go its grip and it is still freezing cold and raining.
Just as I was reading this, 2 guys who had gone to Dharamsala a few days ago from here, turned up at the internet place and said it was so cold they couldn't stay there and came back here to warm up. The weather here is lovely summer weather...28 at the height of the day but pleasant in the mornings and evenings. With plenty of mountain breezes. When I spoke to Abdellah a little later, he asked about the weather...I told him it was lovely and warm and sunny. He asked about the evenings and I told him I sit each evening on my terrace reading and listening to music. He asked what I wear, how many sweaters and shawels, and I said none, I'm in short sleeves. His reply was "Well, if you wanted to do that here, you'd have to wear your Eskimo suit!!". So, I am happily still in the right place.
So, I went back to my room and still had a few mintues before meeting Ilse for lunch, and made my phone calls. Called my guesthouse, and my favorite manager there, Ashish, answered the phone. He is also leaving today but will be back before I leave in June. He told me that Nikolai had taken MY room...but he would save another one for me. And, surprise, Abdellah was also there so I spoke to him and left a message for Nikolai that I would love to have MY room back when I arrive in a few weeks. It was nice talking to everyone and so much fun having the phone with me. I then called the owner, Kokila, just to make sure I'd have a room when I arrived.
And then I went down to meet Ilse, and just as we were walking down to the place we were going to eat, my phone rang!! It was Nikolai...apologizing for taking MY room and assuring me in his sweet gentlemanly way that I need not worry. When I arrive, if I am not satisfied with the room they have for me, he will take another room and give me MINE.
So, althought I was not at all thrilled about leaving Rishikesh, I AM looking forward to seeing all my friends, even if only for a couple of months.
(It is now actually tomorrow, the 23rd, as there was a power cut just as I was writing this post, but luckily I had it saved as a word document so nothing was lost. I went back to the same computer this morning, and here I am continuing with what I began yesterday)
Ilse and I continued walking down to the restaurant, and it was REALLY hot. I checked the weather report later in the day, and it was 28 degrees high, which is my limit for enduring hot weather, even at home. And since we were walking at 1:30 in the afternoon, it was at the heat of the day. Next time, I definitely need a hat and sun screen if I go out at that hour. We had a lovely lunch however, and it is amazing that we come from such different places and backgrounds and yet think alike in so many ways. She is 62 years old, originally from Denmark but living most of her life in Brighton, England, just as I've been living most of my adult life in Israel. We had a lovely day, and even bought myself a new necklace...I had spotted it when we came into the restaurant..the kids there made these authentic gem stone pieces of jewelry and save them and each one sold goes into the PERSONAL account of that orphan. But I've never seen something I really liked until now...kept looking at it and just as we were leaving, I asked the price. It was more than I usually spend on myself for jewelry but I figured I had worked hard for 2 weeks and deserved a treat. It is quite beautiful and I am very pleased with myself.
Came back and rested, read, listened to music, sat with friends, did a healing session for Ainat who is still not feeling well and then off to my room to read, listen to music and go to sleep. Just a perfect day.
With the change in weather, it is even lovelier than ever sitting on my terrace...so I hope you enjoy some of the pictures in this post, which are all views from my terrace, on different days. These are daily visitors at dusk....
It is a large family but couldn't get a good shot...may another day...some of them are HUGE.
I particularly like the one of the bird...
I have been writing about different birds I have seen, and describing them as best I can, but this is the first time I've managed to get a picture of one of the more unusual ones...anyone know what it is??
I will end here with another lovely sunset
Thursday, March 22, 2007
India Journal 2006 #26- March 19-21 THE STORM and other Stuff
Monday, March 19, 2007
After finishing the second day of the Reiki workshop, the two other women in the workshop and myself, together with another friend who was leaving the same day, decided to go down for lunch (turned out to be closer to dinner by the time we actually ate) to the Welcome Center, and ayurveda restaurant I have been looking for for the past few weeks but had no luck in finding it. So it was good to go with someone who knows where it is and finally discover this lovely place. Now I have another really nice place to eat good healthy food. As a matter of fact, the food was so good, that Ilse and myself went down for breakfast the next morning BEFORE the Reiki class began! Everything is organic,
and prepared according to the Ayurveda principles of body types or doshas. So that no 2 people are given exactly the same meal, even if they order the same thing. For lunch/dinner we had an amazing tali and for breakfast, I had a wonderful wheat porridge with tons and tons of fruit, nuts etc., in in which was so much nicer than the oatmeal I usually get. And she uses only pure ghee in everything, teas are made specially for each person, and each meal is cooked only as you order it. Which is the reason for the long wait for food. I have to remember never to go there when I am already hungry!!
After eating there, I realized that I had really put on too much weight and was also not really eating what I should be, and decided to do something about it by cutting back on pasta and bread and eating my meals more according to the principles I was taught for Vatta (today,thursday march 22nd, is only a few days later and I have already lost all the "yucky" stuff around the middle. I have fruit salad and toasted brown roll with ghee for breakfast, a big salad I discovered at my own guesthouse which I didn't know they even had, but Ruth had tried it. It is on an enormous plate, filled with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, beets, avocado, tofu, the slightest bit of yak cheese on top and dressed with pesto. Really really delicious. And then for dinner also something light, but enough to fill be up and leave me satisfied, body and soul.)
So, now I am sitting on my terrace, eating the most delicious plate of hoummous and felafel! Quite extraordinarily good...as good as anything at Tanami or a good Arab restaurant!! should have really taken a picture of it but didn't think of it at the time.
And then, very pleasantly full, I went to sleep early in preparation for the last day of my Reiki class.
And that night, at 1:15 in the morning, a STORM began. Something I haven't experienced in such intensity and power for a long time. It began with an amazing display of lighting and thunder. I opened the curtains closing off the window opposite my bed, and just laid there looking at the show. Nature is quite powerful in its displays! There was no rain, at least where I was, but perhaps other places experienced rain as well. The wind did not howl through the trees...it was more a deep rumbling which built up and intensified to a roar, died away and began again, over and over for hours. I could almost imagine train after train rumbling into a station and roaring to a stop, only to make way for the next train.
The day itself had been very overcast and the air was heavy and almost stifling...not pleasant in the least. But we awoke to a morning so crisp and clear...everything had been swept clean by the fury of the winds.
There has been a definite shift in weather here and it is much warmer during the day, and although mornings and evenings are still cool, there is no longer any need to change into long, warmer clothing. And I barely need one blanket to cover me at night and no longer sleeping in layers of clothes. This all seems to have happened almost overnight. The evenings and mornings being so pleasant now, it is simply love to sit out till bedtime and read, or just listen to music. And I find myself eating more meals alone on my own terrace rather than in restaurants, just to enjoy the lovely weather as much as possible. It is actually quite hot when out walking during the day, and imagine each day will be hotter than the one before, but so far, nothing near anything that would require me to move on.
However, the drastic change, finally awoke my hip...the rain, cold, changes to heat etc., over the past few weeks happily did nothing to create painful joints, but this very extreme drastic change finally managed to do it. I was not happy when I felt my hip, but decided just to flow with it. It was also one of the indications that I still had detox to do, especially after all the wrong food I had been eating for a couple of weeks, so I guess it was a combination of both as well as a warning to me to behave myself!!
To my great surprise, the entire episode lasted less than 2 HOURS!, instead of the usually 1 1/2 to 3 days!!!
Well, that day, I finished my Reiki class, and Agee, who does Indian Head massage agreed to teach us all the technique the following day...which he did, yesterday. And in addition, I had a full head massage myself...it is a very delicate and easy technique, but the results were well beyond anything I could have imagined...I was so relaxed when he finished, I almost fell over when getting up from the chair. Almost as if all my body parts had disconnected and forgotten how to work in unison to get me going where I wanted to! Hope to be able to use the technique when I get home.
I will end here and hopefully get the post about the lovely but confusing development in my life also done today.
Namaste
Jane
