My first "down" day. No desire to do anything. Started packing but will NEVER have room for everything I've picked up here. Sick of the restaurants and having to decide what to eat each meal, and where to eat it. To hot to go to most of the nice places I like to eat at. I've been completely off sugar in all forms for almost 3 weeks now, not even in drinks, and I would normally feel like coffee or cake right now, but don't. And also no caffeine for a longer time...so ice coffee doesn't do it for me either.
Yesterday I bought cheese and grapes for lunch
which was nice but still not what I need! I think leaving here is getting to me as I know I won't be back for much longer than I had originally planned. I am also on a tight budget now and not doing some of the things I had wanted to do.
Don't know, just down, teary. I know it will all pass and hopefully before leaving for Delhi in a few days. I have lovely friends here who are "being" with me and that is wonderful, to have someone to cry to.
AND THEN I FIND THE SOLUTION. SO SIMPLE! After getting a quick hair trim from Ilse, I am sitting in my room, feeling bad when all of a sudden I realize I can DANCE!!
And Dance I did for 2 whole hours!!! After only 2-3 dances I already found myself lighthearted and smiling, singing along, and completely enjoying myself. And to finish it all off, I went down, ordered a lovely piece of carrot cake and had my first Masala Chai in 3 weeks! So simple to beat the "down".
The lovely pictures in this post are all from the same evening, following the dancing and sweet pick-me-up, and just added to my renewed good spirits.
Namaste
Jane
Friday, April 06, 2007
India Journal 2006 #38- THE PERFECT SOLUTION TO "DOWN"
India Journal 2006 #37 April 4th, FAMILY INTRIGUE IN RISHIKESH
I was invited to dinner at Vivek's house (the guy where I did the Panchakarma). He's been wanting me to come for some time and it just never worked out. He came to pick me up at 7 PM and took me to his house on the outskirts of Rishikesh on the way to Hardiwar. They live in the school where his wife works. His 2 1/2 year old daughter, Isabella, 
was in the car and when we arrived at his place I met his wife and mother-in-law who was visiting from Dehradun. Deepak also came for dinner and it was great seeing them.
I pretty much found myself very uncomfortably in the midst of a family conflict precipitated by the meal prepared in my honour. I will try to write everything that conspired and explain the strange framework of this family as best as possible. There was much inner tension at home which eneded in his wife spilling out to me all her frustrations and anger at her plight, right in front of
Vivek. The little girl had gone out for a walk (at 10 PM) with grandma, and Deepak had already gone home by this time. Only later, did Vivek give his side of the story. She ass all the duties of anormal Indian wife, daughter and mother, plus the fact that she works (as do many modern Indian women) in a full time job as a primary school prinicpal and administrator. And of course he feels he does more to help than any of his contemporaries who wouldn't be caught dead doing the things he does like cooking, childcare etc. , but she still feels the injustice in the division of roles etc. It is not a new story, but it is new for India and this generation seems to be caught between tradition and moving forward but not able to be completely in either place . Sort of floating between here and there and finding themselves confused, ambivilent and frustrated by how things are changing, and not changing at the same time. I'm sure the next generation will be quite different, much as my daughters' marriages are so different than mine was. And I told them this. His help is still by her as small gestures, not real participation and cooperation, and in the end I would up giving a full hour conseling session! 
You can see from the body language in this picture how detached they are from each other even when posing for a picture of a loving couple!
On the way home, Vivek furthered explained things to me, following his wife's declaration that "We have LOVE marriage, but most people who have fixed marriages seem alot more content than we are". It seems his wife, Sanjeeta, wants to go live in UK and he has agreed to let her go off on her own, leaving Isabella in his care, or rather the care of Mother and Mother-in-law. He is sure that she will come back home very quickly as he is convinced she will be miserable there. He's taking quite a chance as she is very determined, British convent educated with an MBA, highly intelligent and eloquent of speech, and I think she just might make it there. If she will be happy, I don't know, but he may find himself without a wife for some time...and that brings me to the background of this entire family history,.
His parent slive in Rishikesh. He comes from a long line of Ayurveda doctors and teachers and they do not interfere in his life. They lived with his parents for awhile but it became too difficult once the little girl was born as his wife had to take her with her to work each day, and so they have "shifted" to a small apartment at the school where she works, the little girl now attends school daily and life seems easier.
Her family....the father is a retired government bureaucrat from the days of the Raj, who now lives in Rishikesh as well while his wife continues to live in the family home in Dehradun. Seems he always travelled for his work and he and his wife pretty much moved apart and lead separate lives for many years. So upon retiring her simply took a 2 room flat in Rishikesh where he also runs the school where Sanjeeta works. This is all very frustrating for her as he still lives in the "old educational system" he, and she, grew up in and as prinicpal and administrator she would like to introduce new ideas but cannot, as she cannot show disrespect to her father, who is also her boss.
All in all an eye opening evening. Vivek was very disturbed by the fact that she prepared a VERY simple meal, and also made it non-spicey for me....he had expected something better for his company, but after working and taking care of a little girl (who is a real spoiled brat) all day, I can imagine how tired she was and was quite pleased with the meal. But it seems that he criticized her in front of Deepak and his mother-in-law while we were eating and this is what started the whole business later in the evening.
India is sometimes so unexpected and surprising that it leaves me open-mouthed and with nothing to say.
and coming home that evening, I began to think of so many things and had difficult falling asleep, which probably contributed to the next day, which you will read about (or probably HAVE already read in the previous post.
Namaste
Jane
India Journal 2006 #36 Monkeyshines
If you click on these pics you can enlarge them.
I don't know if you can see, but there is a little tiny newborn monkey hiding in Mom's arms while she grooms older brother! I just thought these were so cute, I could sit and watch them for hours.....
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Indian Journal 2006 #35-Aarti Puja Rishikesh Ghat
This afternoon Ilse and I decided to go for a walk, as it is now only really possible to be out after 4. But after 4 it is quite lovely, with warm weather but beautiful breezes. We spent hours walking and basically were on our way to the Shiva Puja in Swargashram (across Ram Jula). This puja, like the one in Hardiwar, takes place everyday of the year. But that is the only thing they have in common. I will do my best to describe this puja, using photographs as well, but the real "seeing" of this puja involves "hearing" as well, and so I've taken several short videos with sound, but will only be able to post them when I get home.
As I said, the only thing in common the two pujas have are that they are performed each day at 6 PM.
But beginning with the statue of Shiva,
which you remember in Hardiwar was over 30 meters high and surrounded by a fence...untouchable and hardly inviting to the average person...very pretentious. As was everything else about the puja...commercial, crowded, and not something I would ever want to go see again. Nothing really sacred or holy about the entire affair in general.
And then, beginning with the Shiva statue at the Rishikesh ghat, to the entire ceremony, the first word which came to mind was unpretentious. And honest, and "everyman's". You can see how lovely and peaceful the shiva statue is here, and more "human" size, and certainly touchable. People were sitting ON the statue.
Instead of thousands upon thousands of people, there were a few hundred. All dressed in new clean clothing and truly there for the ceremony (which is what puja means). The gathering was quiet and respectful...no frolicking in the Ganga, picnicking etc. 
The closest thing I can compare it to, in its sincerity and sheer jubilence of worshipping spirit, would be a Black American Church with everyone singing Gospel along with the Church choir. And if you have that picture in mind, you will understanding how moving and lovely this puja truly was.
The Church choir was a group of young boys, all studying to be Hindu priets someone told me, but I am not sure, dressed in lovely yellow remnants with the white signs of Shiva worship painted on their forheads.
They lead the chanting and everyone present joined in with handclapping, swaying, raising of arms as if to say "Halleluja", smiles of joy on most faces, and spiritual concentration on the others. 
The ceremony ended when little plates which had wicks to light on them from the central fire were passed around from hand to hand so that each person present could get a blessing directly from Shiva. 
And each person took it in hand, made circular motions with the plate and gently passed it on to another person so that everyone present eventually got a plate of fire (including us!). I really wish the videos were available to you now.
I would gladly come back here again just to enjoy the moving music and chanting as well as the glowing faces of those who are truly "with" their god in the moment of prayer and worship.
And just as quietly as everyone converged for the puja, once it was over they dispersed just as quietly back home....quite lovely and inspiring. I hope the pictures do some justice to the experience.
And just to end a perfect evening, we had a lovely view of Rishikesh at night while having a snack of Naan for dinner before heading back to our rooms, inspired, happy and at peace.
Namaste
Jane
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India Journal 2006 April 3, Walk Before Puja
Below, some pictures from the walk TO the Puja. We took a very long way around, enjoying the walk from Laxman Jula all the way down to Ram Jula...window shopping, (and, to my dismay, even buying) along the way, and simply taking in some more lovely scenes as you can see from the following photos.
Just a lovely flower we saw along the way...don't know the name but it is actually a blooming tree.
And another couple of views of the Laxman Jula Temples from another vantage point.
And another bridgeview:
While walking along on the far side of the River, we were able to get this view of our guesthouse...that's the area, half way up the slope, nestled in the mountain. It is really inspiring to see it from afar and realize how much walking I do here!
This is one of the local ashrams as viewed from across the river.
Monday, April 02, 2007
India Journal 2006 #34 March 31-April 2 The Weather, the Mosquitoes and Money
Well, the last couple of days have really gotten too too hot. It is hard to be out between 11-5 and that is most of the day. and by 6 it starts getting dark. Will have to see how I go about the next 10 days. But so far, I've had a nice couple of days. (see the post about my parcel and the Post Office experience).
I spend more time in my room relaxing and more time with friends chatting so it's basically OK.
I also made up a flyer for Reiki etc., and while I was doing it, a lady in the internet cafe saw me and asked about it. So she came for the first time on Sunday, and as it was her first experience with ANY kind of energy work or alternative stuff, she was quite skeptical. Well, when the treatment was over,
after she came "back" to the room and found her mouth and got it working, she asked if she could come again. And that is what she is now doing. She came again today and will come again tomorrow, and the Reiki is really doing wonderful things for her. SHE is very happy she met me, and I am very happy for her. I love to see the glow in people's faces when they experience this kind of thing for the first time. And so I have had a good reason for at least 3 days for sticking close to home. And also gives me a little money which I've been spending much too much of here!! Wanted a couple of more massages and maybe buy some more books, and essential oils but it is just too hot, and when it finally gets cooler, the mospquitoes come to visit. Up until 2 days ago, there weren't any at all!! Now I am trying out various kinds of natural solutions and ways of sleeping at night to try and keep them away from me. (But all this put together saves me money in the end...)
I've also had trouble sleeping at night and trying to work out the best option. (I think last night I finally hit on it). The fan in the room is a little too strong to leave on all night. But when it is on, no mosquitos can land. And when it is off, I need the air from the windows but there are not screens. so for the last 2 nights I tried all kinds of combos but didn't sleep well. Tonight, no matter what, I will keep the windows closed and see how I manage with the fan all nite. Hope that works. (Didn't, but found a good solution last night....my neighbor gave me Neem oil which he said was good. I tried it, and when I shut off the fan, and opened one window to let in some air -keeping the curtain closed but still allowing air in, I slept beautifully. I was not even covered by the sheet, and not one mosquito found its way to me. So I guess the Neem Oil works, and tonight, I will try one other solution. A local Ayurveda cream which the guy in the shop said works perfectly. Said to try it tonight and if it doesn't work, to bring it back for full refund! So I'll try that as well.
Shakti also came back yesterday and it was a lovely reunion.
In just 8 days I 'm off to Delhi. Time goes by very quickly and before you know it I will be in McLeodganj!
That's about it for today. The next post will tell of the interesting Post Office experience. Being out this morning was not quite as bad as I thought but I DID need to take a rickshaw back up...no way could I have walked in the heat.
May go to the Seder at Beit Chabad tonight if Ainat insists, but I would just as soon stay in my room and relax. Will let you know in my next post what happened.
Namaste and Chag Sameach to all.
Jane
India Journal 2006 THE POST OFFICE SAGA
Well, it all began when I arrived on February 5th and began accumulating, very slowly at first, things to put in a parcel to send home. In the beginning it seemed to be a simple straighforward thing. And I've done it many times before in the past so didn't think much of it at the time.
The size of the parcel grew as each week went by, and I added to it many things which I no longer needed to carry with me, making room in my bag for new things I had bought along the way.
The paracel includes my stuff which I am sending back as well as many gifts, medications (mostly ayurveda stuff I bought) and a couple of books etc., When I finally decided it was enough,
I took it slowly, a couple of small boxes at a time down to the local tailor to have it sewn into a proper parcel. The maximum parcel weight is 20 KG and this one seemed to have been about up to the limit once it was packed.
Once done, I needed someone to help me get it down to the post office. No rickshaw comes all the way up here and no rickshaw, even if someone gets me into one, will take me all the way to the Post Office.
So, in the end, the guys here agreed to help me on one of their motorbikes. I assumed (something which I try never to do, but for some reason did), that he would put the package between his legs on the floor of the motorbike. But no. He expected ME to carry the package as well as keep myself seated on the bike. It weighed over 17 KG! I was sure both the parcel and me would fall off. But we somehow made it down to the Post Office. The guy carried it down several flights of stairs only to find the PO closed!! Why? Who knows?? What to do?? The thought of going back up with it and then down again the next day, especially in this heat, didn't sit well with me. So I remembered my friend the chemist just a few shops down from the PO. The guy carried the parcel for me to the chemist shop and as soon as he, the chemist, saw me he said "yes, yes...closed today...end of "money"year...March 31st...leave here...OK...come back Monday". And I did just that!
Came back today, Monday, and he helped me carry the parcel up to the PO. Only to find the power was out so they couldn't weigh it. And I certainly couldn't carry back to the chemist shop. I couldn't even lift it (or so I thought). They said I could leave it there and come back later. So, back to my friend the chemist, bought a couple of more things that I needed and then tried again at the PO. Power on! Weighted in! Had to lift it twice myself, onto the scale and then down into the main parcel room. 17+ KG is REALLY heavy. Whoever picks this up in Israel will have to bring some form of transportation to get it home for sure!
Everything, to their great surprise, was OK on the parcel outside, but I've done this before so I know what they want written there.
And then paying. To my surprise, again, it was over 2000 rupees!!! Prices have gone up but I didn't want to send it cheaper by regular sea mail so decided to apy. It raises the parice of everything I bought by about 30% but...what to do??
Then, I realized I didn't have that much money with me. So out and down again. Asked the chemist about changing money and he told me where to do it nearby. Changed the $50 and back up again. Fill in a short form, not like the long ones in McLeodganj...pay the money and done!
Hopefully it will get home before I do. And in one piece.
And that's it for today!
Namaste
Jane
Saturday, March 31, 2007
India Journal 2006- #33- March 29-30 Day at the Movies and Puja in Hardiwar
...and the weather... just as a sidethought:
The weather is really "india" now. I need the fan at night for several hours and certainly during the day (if I am in the room!). Appetite is less and very few places here have AC. So eating, at least a lunchtime, is not easy. So slow and easy is the slogan. Really not looking forward to Delhi which will be worse due to the humidity there, but at least there the shops are AC as is my room, and room service is available so it should be OK! Just checked now, and it is 41 degrees here today!!!! Same as Delhi. No wonder I feel so listless!
March 29, Thursday at the movies.
After Ainat's suggestion of a couple of days ago, Ruth, Ilse and I decided to take in a movie in town today. We went down by Rickshaw, came to the theater and found it large, pleasant and FULL of people, mostly young. It is the day the market is closed, which might account for some of the people there, who had a day off from work, but it was 12:30 in the afternoon and there were mostly young India guys, teenagers,,,,very few girls. Wondered why they were not in school. However, the packed house added a completely new dimension to the film! Cheers, singing, applause, catcalls...it was really a full, living experience. The movie theater was fan cooled and pleasantly comfortable, despite the great heat outside. The movie was Bollywood, but the singing and dancing were not overdone, and
beautiful as ever. The story was predictable, but wonderfully done as well, and the main actor, don't remember his name, brought me to tears at some places, without even understand a word of what he was speaking. It was called Namaste London, there was some amount of English spoken as most of it took place in London, although there was a full tour of India, including Rishikesh, and you can imagine the audience reaction when Rishikesh came on the screen, but the only thing we really missed out on were the innuendos and jokes. We had a thoroughly lovely 3 hours and came out with big smiles on our faces and a good feeling, which is still with me a couple of days later.
And if that is not a successful film, than I don't know what is!!
We came home feeling very pleased with ourselves and just realxed for the rest of the day. And then in the evening, Ainat came to my room for some updates re: her and in the end we began discussing ideas for us working together back in Israel. And finally, she helped me make up a flyer which I made up on the computer and have begun distributing...in Hebrew...and hopefully it will even get me some customers for when I arrive in Dharamsala.
Following that session with Ainat, I also decided to write to a cousin of mine who has a good friend who runs a travel agency in Israel, so that I can have a personal contact at home who will be willing to give me practical advice about getting this business off the ground.
I continued to contemplate many angles of this group idea and int he end I realized that like most things, I have to send it out, and with no expectations, release it to God. I am sure that no matter how and no matter when it happens, it WILL come to fruition, and will be just perfect for me and for those who find their way to me. Once I get home, I will give a big push to this Yoga for Special needs course as well as incorporating meditation and pranayama with it. And of course to do more and more with Reiki.
I am really falling behind with this blog and have so many interesting stories, some quite sad to tell the truth, and really see the need for having a laptop with me if I am to do this correctly. Coming down to the internet cafe is very restrictive and not conducive to creativity either...But I will do my best one of these days to get these stories off to the blog.
I will continue with the next day, March 30, Friday, when we went to Hardiwar for the big Puja (ceremony) on the Ganga which takes place each and every day of the week. After being there yesterday, it is something quite beyond my human comprehension that this takes place each and every day of the year. I will post as many pictures as possible to try and give you a feel, and also have 2 short videos, but again, they will have to wait until I get home to post. The nice thing about the videos is that you get the full sound effect also. Then, the only thing missing, would be the smells, the predominent one for me at the puja was not the usual smell of people, and cows, and humidity, and sweat, and incense, but the smell of rose petals from all the little offerings being carried by people before releasing them to the river. 
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I also released one into the flow of the River, with a special prayer...of course for my whole family, loved ones, peace in the world, contentment etc., for all, but I included a very special prayer for my grandson Yali, asking that his life unfold and continue in the way which will bring him tranquility and full development of his amazing potential. And that this be in the way which will most suit his personality and special needs. Once done, I found myself with chills and tingling throughout my body...and very deep profound sense that my release of the offering was accepted and understood, and later in the evening, I was again moved to tears of joy and release, as I KNEW that things will now begin to be better for Yali...it was as if I was given a sign, sitting on the banks of the Sacred Ganga, that God knew exactly what I was asking for and that he took my request to heart. Even sitting here now writing about it, I have chills again and a choking feeling in my throat...all WILL be well with him it is telling me.
We arrived in Hardwar by taxi after a pleasant hours drive... Ainat, Ilse and Agee and myself. .JPG)
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First, we stopped at the enormous statue of Shiva...about 30 meters high we were told....difficult to take a photo as the sun was behind the statue, but you will get some idea at least of the size from the pictures at the beginning of this post. Near this statue were other tourist, like us, but Indian, as well as babas praying and a view across to the town...
We then walked across to the town and began our exploration of the ghat where the puja would take place in about one hours time..JPG)
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First, what really drew our attention was the festival atmosphere...people by the score swimming and frolicking in the river, many fully dressed, others with less clothing, and some women from Rajasthan removing their saris completely. Other people changed their clothes in the changing rooms which are available, just like you might find at a local swimming pool, and bathed in different clothes and then changed back into their holiday saris as the time of the puja approached. Many men were also have a shave right along the ghat to prepare for the ceremony as well. But all so festive...singing, eating, enjoying...smiles, laughter, just lovely.
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We removed our shoes as instructed and spent the next couple of hours barefoot, which was not really easy for me, but not the end of the world either. We did our own offerings early so as not to be crushed by the huge press of humanity later on...and this was a wise decision.
We made our way along the ghat, and just sat and observed for awhile, the amazing variety of "people" waiting for the puja to begin:.JPG)
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The little fellow below was breastfeeding and I was so pleased to see the ease at which his Mother got him latched on, through her sari, fancy jewelry etc., without a hair getting mussed and with no fuss whatsoever....
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We finally found our way to seats along the ghat to wait, along with the thousands of other people 
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who come here each and every day, for the official puja to begin. There were drums, singing, mantras, chanting, hand clapping, fire, (all can really be seen well in the video), and, as always in India, amazing splashes of color everywhere!
I will try and post as many pictures as possible in this post, and special post which will follow it, with just more pictures, as I am having trouble deciding what to post...the scenes were so amazingly beautiful, especially as dark settled over the ghat...I hope something comes through in these pictures.
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Following the puja, .JPG)
we followed the rest of the swarm and just walked around the market, enjoyed the smells and sights and again, were amazed that this happens every single day! I even bought Ainat a balloon, 
as she asked for one....By then however, we were quite exhausted, from the heat, the humidity, the press of humanity and not drinking enough, so decided to head home, and arrived home around 9:30 in the evening...sooooooooooo happy that we went!
I am really having difficulty putting the experience into words, so I will let the pictures say as much as possible, and hope you can get some feel for the profound sacredness of the experience combined with the amazing sense of festivity, as well as the great pleasure of doing this with friends.
