Started last nite…was very hot yesterday and was really tired after my walking so just hung around the rest of the afternoon and evening. Had some grilled cheese up in my room for a snack at nite. I was up the roof playing “bubbles” and listening to my lovely flute music when Ben came up and asked what I was doing. I said “Some real deep spiritual work”. He came to see what it was and burst out laughing when he saw what I was playing. I explained it really was a form of inner work for me as it was one of the few ways I could find myself completely “mindless”!. And then like a little boy he asked if he could please please please try to play too, but I warned him that it could be dangerous to begin this game.
“You can’t just ‘try’ this game and he replied: “I’m fine…I don’t get addicted to this kind of stuff”.
Well, I could not get him to relinquish the mouse for 1 ½ hours until I finally asked to be allowed to go to sleep. He said OK but please please please could he come up again to play in the morning.
I thought he was joking, but bright and early he was up here and spent another 1 ½ hours in this completely mindless but actually relaxing pursuit. I, in the meantime, realized I didn’t feel like doing anything today. Perhaps the weather-it is actually overcast, windy and chilly…so I sat in my room while he played and cursed, and I did some work I needed to for myself. Finally kicked him out and now am alone and still with no desire to do anything. I am listening to music, will play some games as well, hang around with people at lunch…all here “at home”.
This evening I am hopefully going to do a past-life regression with a guy named Dudi to see if we can find the source of my irrational fears and finish the cleansing process once and for all.
So it will be a quiet, reflective, lovely day doing “nothing” and feeling wonderful about it.
8 PM
It is now almost 8 in the evening. Had the need to sleep this afternoon, (only in retrospect did I realize the entire lack of energy the whole day was due to my anxiety of what I might find out during the healing session….) and when I woke up I did the healing and past-life regression with Dudi and it was wonderful Received more answers and insights into the fear thing and am completely energized as well. And when I came out, it was raining and no electricity! (That would explain the slight twinge in my hip yesterday and this morning). So, got a couple of candles from downstairs and am now up in room, by candlelight, incense burning, eating crackers and cheese and listening to folkdancing and for the first time this trip even have the urge to dance!. Am feeling really good and if the electricity comes back on, I have a “date” to watch the movie Himalaya with Ben this evening and if not, will dance in the dark alone!!. (Or so I imagined!!). And then the strangest thing happened. I have about 600 songs in my folkdancing playlist, and I put them on to play at random, and the first song that came up was a further answer to what went on during the healing session with Dudi. A song with words which said exactly what I still needed to hear was playing, as if the angels , or my guides were singing the answer to me disguised as the voice of Daklon (Israeli singer) singing “Al Nevakesh”. All the verses are insightful, but just as an example, here is a translation of theverse:
“There are unknown secret things which we cannot understand or know
Things may happen which seem without reason
Not all things need to be investigated and questioned
Sometimes it is alright not to know everything”
I imagine the air will also be less heavy tomorrow and I will feel like walking again (And that was exactly what happened, as I woke up the next morning to the clearest bluest sky I have seen since arriving and a lovely feeling of clean and fresh in the air).
And then Ben arrived….no lites…caught me dancing…but just asked to sit down and play again, which he did until the battery ran out on the computer. Then we just sat and talked until my sweet neighbors came up. Finding their room dark and uninviting, I asked them to come in and join us. By then it was raining hard and quite dreary…they came into my candle-lit room, and said “Why does it feel so warm and comfortable in here? Our room is the same but it is nothing like your room” It’s like when people come into my living room at home and say the same thing…good energies…My room is very inviting. We sat and enjoyed each others company, all the time with my folkdancing music still playing and everyone commenting that it was quite pleasant to listen to. Close to 10 the lites finally came on so the girls left and Ben and I still had our movie date! We even sat and held hands like in the real movies. Only thing missing was popcorn. In all, it was a lovely day!
And now it is morning. Brilliant blue sky…lovely sunshine, nice breeze and clean fresh air…like after a chamsin at home when the rains finally come. Beautiful, beautiful day.
I went down to the market with a few friends and actually found fabric I liked and which is now at the tailor to make a couple of more things for me from things I already have and like from home.
Friday, March 14, 2008
# 17 March 13-14 – Lazy, Lazy, Lazy….and Rain
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
#16 – March 10-11, 2008 – Back to the Real World and A Really “Rough” Day
Interesting, during the previous 3 days I had this intense need to be alone, and work on the issue of irrational fears. (A posting will eventually find its way to the Mindfulness Journal, but it is still being contemplated to try and get the full impact of those 3 days across). And to my surprise, I WAS entirely alone. No one came looking for me at my room. Id didn’t meet anyone in town anywhere, nor bump into any new, or old friends at meal times. And today (yesterday actually), which I declared a “vacation” day for myself, and just hung around doing relaxing things –
nothing require any great effort either physically, mentally or spiritually, the people who saw me during the day told me I looked: renewed, vibrant, full of life, at peace, tranquil etc. But still was alone most of the day. [ Except for my meeting with Dudi, which will have to wait for another post].
And when today, (really today), I more or less got back to my “real” world, everyone staring turning up again…pretty much coming out of the woodwork so to speak. Yael, a young Israeli girl, came for advice and we sat for a long time early this morning. Then I went down to mail my package and met a nice Indian guy on the way and we talked for awhile. He is from Kerala and vacationing in Rishikesh and wanted my advice about sending a package “home”! Then, back to my room where I had prepared a small snack of cheese and grapes before headingoff to the Ganga, when Ben turned up. He’s started his teachings with the Swami Dyananda (also Akhilesh’s Swami), and I figured I would not be seeing him for awhile. Well, HE came to tell me about his first evening and morning and so we snacked together and he talked. . Then finally got down to the Ganga, and following my “swim”, walked into Moksha, the nice new restaurant down there and again met Yael, not planned, eating with a young German guy so again had company. There was hardly a minute during the day when I was not with someone else. And just as I thought I’d be heading back to relax, my phone rang (I had it with me for this exact reason, just in case) and it was Nikolai, asking to meet me in about an hour for Chai! So, back to the room, quick shower and down to spend a lovely 3 hours with him, after not seeing him for a year. And WOW! What a story HE had to tell.
From a deeply devoted practicing Buddhist of 7 years, living most of that time in India with short and infrequent trips back home to visit family, living at a monastery and preparing for his first 5 year retreat, he is now going back to Moscow to get married to a very rich girl he knows since age 14 (he is 32), who was married previously, divorced, has a 7 year old son (which he says may even be his anyway), and is very rich. He will go into her father’s business which he says is dirty, cut throat and completely demanding, and wind up getting rich himself!! When I asked how this will effect his practice and all his Buddhists beliefs, and why he was doing it, he replied that if he didn’t do itnow, he would always wonder if he made a mistake and with regrets, could never move forward in his practice anyway. If it works out, he will assume he was never as truly committed as he imagined himself to be, and if not, in 4-5 years he will simply leave it all and come back and continue from where he left off!
It is now the next day…March 11th, and I had planned, after the very intense “people filled” day yesterday, to go early to the market to do some shopping I still have on my list. But Ben joined us (my 2 British neighbors…I know, I haven’t written about them either), for breakfast and then came up to speak to me further about the teachings and why they are not working for him, and how disappointed he is in himself etc. It was an intense, and long talk, but quite insightful for him, and in the end, I didn’t leave for the market until after 12.
I easily found the computer shop recommended to me on Railway Road, and if I hadn’t just seen myself walk into it off the Rishikesh street, I could have sworn I was back in raanana! I bought a Logitech cordless mouse and it was so pleasant shopping there . They didn’t just hand it to me, take my money and say goodbye as would have happened back home. They opened up the substantial packaging, took out the mouse (I hadn’t said a word, was just expecting to pay and go), showed me how to put in the battery, how to store the USB piece, how to get the best results from the mouse, plugged it into their computer and asked me to try it and see if it was comfortable…all this before taking any money for me…)
I then decided to look for a mortar and pestle from marble for myself and one of my daughters, and some fabric to have a couple of favorite tops remade for me by a local tailor. But then remembered that the cosmetician I went to last year was right up the same street so figured I’d walk up just to make an appointment. I wound up spending the next 2 hours being completely pampered including back massage, and all kinds of beauty treatments, which were as wonderful as I remember them being, my face is as smooth as a baby’s behind, and all for 250 rupees!!
I DID find a mortal and pestle, as well as having my late lunch of brown rice and steamed veggies, went up to my room to rest from this really “rough” day…it was 4:30 by then and I have been up since 5:30 this morning. I am liking Rishikesh more and more each day and will definitely be back here.
I have BTW, begun doing my yoga, pranayama and meditation outside each morning facing the rising Eastern Sun and it is quite powerful. Trying to figure out some way to do that at home but so far cannot think of any practical option.
Namaste for today
Jane
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
#11- March 3, 2008- PEACEFUL DAY
Had an especially peaceful day today. Yesterday I exchanged healings with Ben and then went out for lunch and back for dinner at Mamaji’s…early to bed..I was very tired.
Early but very light breakfast today. I ate too much yesterday and felt it.
And then spent some time with Ben before going out. Picked up some DVD movies I had burnt for me from the originals…150 apiece instead of 450 at the CD shop I send everyone. Two days ago I had brought the rich ladies there and they bought a lot of stuff…also tried to get cheaper price and he held fast at the price he gave them. Well, when I came down today, the DVD’s were ready (these are movies mostly Tibetan, that I have not been able to download from the Internet), and when I went to pay my 600 rupees, he said “no…480. You deserve a discount as you brought people to me and also DID NOT ASK FOR ONE!”. I thought that was lovely…which means I got one almost free.
I will watch one tonight with Ben…”The Cup” which I never got around to seeing in Mcleod.
Then I continued down to the Book Shop by the German Bakery to look for the Cards I wanted. I found 2 sets I was interested in and bought them. And also a set of postcards, as Ben had given me an idea I never thought of. I am sending each of my grandchildren a postcard from India. Don’t know why I never thought of it all these years. I went into the German Bakery, ordered boiled veggies and lovely grilled cheese and tomato and sat to write the postcards and then go down and mail them. Realizing, that I don’t know everyones mailing addresses…only e-mails! Very Bad. So will get the addresses and mail them tomorrow. Had a lovely lunch, met some interesting people there, and then began working on the cards…A set by Caroline Myss called Archetypes and it is for personal growth purposes mainly. Fascinating. Based on archetypical Forms first mentioned by Plato but brought forward in the modern world by Carl Jung. I’ve begun working with them and you must be brutally honest about yourself to do the work. I have begun!!
Then I came back up…found Coconut Oil for one of my friends. And sandalwood oil which I didn’t buy as it was VERY expensive…will have to think about it. Moving further back up the hill, I stopped in a shop where I saw really nice stud earrings. I had looked at some in the shop with the rich ladies which were $40! Here they were 40 rupees!!! And nicer. I bought one pair and if they don’t bother my ears after a couple of days, will buy them in lots of colors. And while I was there, I looked at a mala necklace which has all the 9 sacred gemstones in it, and all the shops are asking 150 rupees. This guy asked only 100 rupees…did a test to prove to me they were real stones and not glass, and so I bought it also. Was very happy with myself and my purchases. Continued up to try and make an appointement for a facial, but no one was there. And then to my “grocery store” where I bought Yak cheese for dinner, found more of those lovely homemade chocolates which I should NOT be eating, as well as masala chai mix which I was looking for, AND Indian Taj Mahal tea to make chai with, and happily headed up to my room. Sat and worked on the cards for awhile longer until Ben came up to say hello and tell me about his day, and me him about mine, all the time listening to lovely music and sitting out on the roof terrace…(the weather has been perfect!)…he then went down for his dinner by Mamaji, I just had my crackers and cheese, and still listening to music, and then he will be coming up to watch one of the new movies with me.
Could there be a lovlier, more relaxing way to spend a day??
I am truly blessed….I have only 3 weeks left but am doing my best not to think about it. Just enjoying each day. One of these days soon I will go down and start bathing in the Ganga which has gotten a “little” warmer…still freezing cold mountain snow water, but maybe just up to my knees. I’ll see.
Namaste
Jane
Friday, February 22, 2008
#7 - Feb 22, 2008- The Israeli Riddle and the Urge to Write
I’m sitting here for the first time since I arrived with the urge, or need, to narrate. I will do my best to give words to the day, in which nothing exciting happened and yet I am excited all the same.
Woke up this morning to a hazy sky, but the truth is, this weather might not be great for photographing, but it is perfect for walking, and this what I find myself doing now…walking….
Had my regular breakfast, took a nice hot shower, had my room cleaned and then headed out with a couple of “errands” in mind and then just the thought of meandering around. I found a little hole-in-the-wall chemist shop no bigger than my bathroom,
and I have placed an order with him for all the meds I usually buy up in Dharamsala. I thought I would have to go search in the market for a “real” chemist shop, but this guy was so excited to get my order…and says he can get everything for me by Sunday. I probably will be spending more in one day than he makes in a week, or perhaps more – but for me and my family it is a big savings and certainly easy enough to do while in India.
Then I continued walking down towards Laxman Jhula and passed by the Divine Resort where Vivek has his new center. Went in to check it out. The hotel is quite impressive and the rooms really nice, and if anyone would ever want a “real” hotel, rather than Swiss Cottage, in a good location, I would recommend it. The center Vivek is so proud of is nothing to speak of, but certainly not any worse than all the other places here.
And then down to Lakman Jhula, a stop off in a book shop to browse, cross over the bridge and thought to try out a new restaurant I had seen yesterday advertising ahurveda kitcheri which is the best thing for my recuperation. I went upstairs in the Jaipur Inn to discover a lovely and pleasant roof top restaurant, beautifully clean, lovely toilet, overlooking the bridge and the Ganga. And to my surprise, I was served absolutely delicious Chai (I overdosed on caffeine today, having a cup of real south Indian filter coffee later on in the day!) and a lovely serving of kitcheri and curd. Quite delicious and just the thing. And that is where I was sitting when the urge to write over took me. But I did not sit down to write then and there, and decided to just get my mindfulness going and write later when I came back to my room, which is what I am doing now.
While sitting quietly on the roof, enjoying the atmosphere, all of a sudden noise, and I mean NOISE…not the standard street noise, was heard coming from the bridge area. I went to look, along with the Indians up on the roof…it was a political demonstration…apparently this is election season in Utrerakand…first a guy was shooing everyone off the bridge and not allowing any new people to enter the bridge from either side. And then, the motorcycles began, each with 2 or 3 riders carrying flags, beeping their horns, and singing some campaign slogan apparently. And this went on, and on, and on…all the time people patiently waiting to cross the bridge from either side…tourists trying to get ON the bridge and being pushed back….and it went on, and on, and on….once over the bridge, starting to move up the main street, until there was nothing but a stream of motorcycles from one side of the bridge to the other and moving up towards Ram Jhula…and from across the bridge there seemed no end to the procession in site. It took a good 20 minutes for all these cycles to cross over and regular traffic to resume on the bridge, but the noise from below continued for another long while.
I had finished eating by this time, and decided to just sit and relax for awhile, when an American couple came up and we began talking. Seems they are staying at the Swiss as well after just arriving in Rishikesh. We had a really interesting conversation for about 45 minutes when we decided to part company until later in the evening back at Swiss Cottage.
I came to an interesting insight around that time. Seems last year, I never really discovered rishikesh. Frist I did my panchakarma, then I recuperated, then began meeting people and spending lots of time with others, and then I began working etc., etc., so that I had very very little time alone. Now, being completely alone, feeling good, and with perfect weather, I am exploring and checking out new places and finding a whole new side to the adventure of Rishikesh. It is almost like being here for the first time, only better, because I am comfortable with the place. Following the restaurant, I again walked up to Ram Jhula along the Ganga, when all of a sudden someone comes up to me and says “Jane, is that really you?” It was the guy Bernard I met last year who I went hiking with a couple of times and then seemed to disappear into thin air. He wrote once but that was it. His girlfriend back in Germany had dumped him meaning when he left India he had no home to go back to. I was quite surprised to see him and even more surprised that he remembered me, and my name. Seems he has now been in Rishikesh for 7 weeks, but since he left India last year, he has been moving around. He spent the summer hiking in the Italian Alps, and then spent months in Nepal, mostly around Pokara, and as mentioned, arrived back here to stay at a fancy ashram about 2 months ago. Says he will come visit me at Swiss, but I doubt I’ll see him again. Continued my walk and decided to try out a health food restaurant I noticed yesterday tucked in behind the taxi stand in Ram Jhula…and had a lovely snack of really really good home made apple pie made with whole wheat flour crust and, as mentioned, a cup of coffee. Had an interesting discussion with the owner (I will definitely be going back there to eat, they have a fantastic menu with brown organic rice, veggies, steamed etc., whole wheat pasta lots of stuff. And it is a little closer than Welcome Center and also has a nice sitting area up on the roof.)
And this brings us to the question of the relative absence of Israelis in India. Since I arrived here, even at the airport, then in the taxi, then here at Swiss and other places I’ve visited, the big topic of conversation is what has happened to the Israeli tourist trade here. It seems to have dwindled to a trickle, in relative terms. The theory (and I say theory as I have no way of knowing if it is true or not, although every Indian I speak to tells the exact same story…so somewhere along the line there must either be truth in it or very good propaganda by the INDIAN government to explain the loss of income from the lack of Isrealies). So, the theory is, that the ISRAELI government has asked the INDIAN government to not give so many visas to Israelis, and then to only give 3 month visas, because they need the Israelis in the country to fight and also don’t want the young Israelis here using drugs and coming up all screwed up! I don’t know if this is true, but every person I speak to is complaining of a BIG loss of business without the Israelis…clothing shops, restaurants, internet places…everywhere. There definitely is a conspicuous void of Israelis in the restaurants, shops, guesthouses and roaming the streets. It could be they are simply else where, but the stories from the Indians seem to say they are simply not here at all. The other tourists I’ve spoken too even mentioned that they were told they would be inundated with Israelis wherever they went in India, and so far they have seen very few…so there does seem to be some truth to the whole thing.
I finally came back to my room, walking up this time instead of taking a rickshaw, and feeling energies I haven’t felt in a long time. Oh, almost forgot…can’t get away from it. I bought some stuff. I don’t need anything, but I saw a couple of really different kinds of blouses and a new style pants I wanted to try, and couldn’t resist. Hope I will get use out of them when I get home.
So I am now back in my room. Actually out on the roof, using my laptop, which is actually on my LAP at the moment…waiting for a phone call from my Mother as usual on Friday…feeling energized, invigorated, and so very content. And now the thought of being here for only another month is quite difficult, but I will make the most of each day and know it will be good to get home as well. I will have work waiting for me…I will try to arrange workshops while here so that I can get right back to work..and I know that this short special time here will seem like a dream in a very short time.
Namaste
Jane
Thursday, May 31, 2007
India Journal 2006- #67-May 30, 2007- Capuccino Lesson and Flowers to Make your Day!
Strange day...kind of fluidy, without form, just moving along, almost viscous. Warmer than it's been for weeks. Guess I'm not used to that.
finished my shopping at the chemist this morning. Late breakfast...checked out some wireless blut tooth technology available here which allows you to use your laptop, anywhere, with the help of a cellphone which somehow connects you to the internet. Discussed it with Beau but he believes it is not yet available in Israel and suggested I wait until I come next time and get all the gadgets and configurations I need here. The phone accessory would cost 5000 rupees (500 shekel) but then I would have unlimited internet access from my room at the price of 400 rupees (40 shekel-10 $$) a month. Much less than I spend using the internet cafe now and certianly more convenient. Will check it out in Rishikesh when I get back there.
I will also buy computer accessories here for my new laptop as the prices have gone down by alot even since I arrived here, and a wireless mouse, good quality, is only about 450 rupees as compared to 1500 just 2 months ago.
I will pick up a mouse, perhaps a wireless keyboard, and a mike and headphone set, and maybe even a webcam although I hate people seeing me when I am online...will think about that.
This entire discussion, above, I discussed directly with Beau, my computer guy, by speaking with him using Skype which is quite amazing and free, and works just as well, if not better, than a phone. and then I spoke to (and saw) my friend Esther in Tel Aviv on messenger. The world is a pure miracle of technology!
And then felt really tired so took a nap.
Have just photo copied an entire book for the price of 90 rupees (9 shekel) instead of ordering it over the itnernet for well over $30 with postage.
and am now sitting in a coffee house, filled with foreigners, mostly Americans, drinking my first cup of capuccino in over a month. And it WAS a real treat (although my stomach is beginning to tell me "that was not a good idea"!).
NOW THE WHOLE LESSON HERE IS THAT I am really sitting here, as I might in any ocffee house in the world, relaxing, reading, enjoying an amazing view and feeling like I am truly vacationing (and rich at that!). and all for the price of 40 rupees. Now that is a REALLY expensive cup of coffee here in India (but worth the price) but if I would want to do the same simple thing at home it would cost me at least 4 times as much. and this is what is going to be hard for me. Not having this freedom of movement and ability to do whatever moves me at the moment, once I get home. Or, perhaps that IS the lesson. DO what moves me at home as well, since money is no longer an issue in my life, wherever I may be!! (But old habits and training of 60 years die hard and the change in perspective is not easy).
Also, bought myself a present today. I've been looking at a beautiful (I think so) suede purse for about 3 weeks now. Seeing it hanging out every day, and finally decided to DO it today. It was a very liberating moment. Buying something for myself just because I want it. I am moving in a new direction by changing habits of 60 years and it definitely is not easy. I must work at it, and will.
The flowers all over this post are another example. I love flowers, but rarely buy them for myself, seeing them as an unnecessary luxury, and even here, they were not cheap...the price of full meal. But I bought them because I wanted them and they are just soooooooo lovely in my room and giving me so much pleasure.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
India Journal 2006-#50 (WOW)...April 26...A "no walking" day!
"No Walking" Day...HA HA. I had decided that the best rhythm for me is 2 days of walking and one of hanging around town, so today was meant to be a "day off". Decided to get some errands done. took my laundry in...up bhagsu road. Brought some cheese at Osho shop...up Tushita road...checked airtel prices up and down Jogibara road, had breakfast then in my room...bread and ghee and cheese, went down Temple Road to see about my Malas, but the guy was sick with herpes and could hardly move...I certainly understand. Gave him some ointment from my "first aid bag" and wished him well. Then found a shoe store with large variety of shoes and found a really good pair of walking shoes in place of
the ones I've been using all these years since I bought them in India in 2003. The new ones will hopefully be good for comfortable mountain walking and can probably use them when I get home and want to dance as well. The price was also good for a pair of ABS Nike's-certainly much cheaper than at home. Problem here is that women's shoes, which they had a very large selection of quite lovely ones, are only sold up to size 40 and these were all too small on me. Men's shoes are too wide and usually not nice on my foot, but finally found these which are perfect and even look nice (at least the lady in the shop and me thought so). Then continued down to the chemist shop to place my order for over the counter drugs to take home in quantity for me and the family.
And then, as I was almost down at the Temple anyway, decided to continue the rest of the way down emple Road. Went around, and it was, as always, uplifting and serene...spun the prayer wheels and came back up. It is quite warm by now...not hungry for lunch however. Checked out movies and Happy Feet is playing at 5...good for me (never showed since he needs at least 3-4 people to make it worth his while).
Then decided that today was coffee and cake day but couldn't decide where. And then remembered the delicious date and walnut cake at Chocolate Log and that's where I am now. It's been a pleasant and fruitful morning, but LOTS of walking up and down.
Thursday Night...3 AM
Woke up after a strange dream about watering the lawn and mosquitoes and can't stop thinking about mosquitoes for some reason.
My phone ran out of talk time this evening and have to get a new number for sure now. Otherwise I would have sent some SMS's just for fun!!
Did Reiki for almost an hour and still can't sleep. Strange feelings of being unsettled the past day or so, as if something is "out of place". Can't put my finger on anything specific as nothing has changed in any way the past couple of days...
On the one hand I feel the need to be alone, not to be involved with anyone at the moemnt, but the being alone seems to keep me awake at nite. As if my own company is not stimulating enough to tire me out and make for a good night's sleep.
This is the second time this has happened in the past week. I go to sleep around 9 as usual and wake up around 3. Perhaps I simply need less sleep? But I am tired now. I will read and then go back to sleep for a couple of hours as I did last time this happened.
I'm simply so used to sleeping peacefully for 8-9 hours, I find this strange. Maybe I need to go back to working again, but the truth is, I really don't feel like it yet.
The extra money would be nice but something inside is keeping me from "drumming up business"...as if something is about to happen and this wouldn't be a good time yet to find clients. Laziness? or a legitimate need to "do nothing" perhaps...or just a premonition that something is "on the way"...This is always difficult for me. I was so busy all the time in Rishikesh and this sudden "idelness" is strange for me.
Well, I'll read awhile and what the new day brings.
(As you will see in further posts, all the "feelings" were leading up to something...)
Namaste
Jane
Friday, April 13, 2007
India Journal 2006 Adventures in Delhi #3
Thursday April 12th
Did ALL my shopping1 Anokhi was badly low on stock. Maybe that's better...couldn't spend so much money. I pay by Visa anyway but still managed to get a few really nice things. Some will need lsight alteration but will serve me for some time to come. They are really chic and I am pleased with my purchases. If I feel like it, I will take one more trip over there when I come back in June, if I can manage the weather then. Also found a shop for great sheets which
I will have to try out next time. FabIndia was also good, and managed a few nice things there as well. I know more now what I make best use of at home so it is easier to shop than it used to be.
Nice lunch at fancy restaurant...the Big Chill...ate there once with Abdellah and Avik on my last trip to India...But I don't have much appetitie so I had a small grilled chiken salad which was light and refreshing.
The weather is in no way debilitating and it is now 2 PM and I did lots of outdoor walking...also in my little slip in fancy sandals. Felt really nice. I usually feel so scrungy (is that a word) and clumsy and unfeminine in my closed sneakers....even if the rest of me is nicely dressed. And with my polished toe nails I fell like one of the fancy Indian ladies waling around the fancy shops here! Much nicer I must say, and I will just have to wash my feet more often but they arenot all hot and sweaty! Didn't even feel funny about going in a window shopping at some of the designer shops. the clothing is lovely, colorful, brilliantly stylish and really expensive...well for me at any rate. The stuff was between 150 and 150 shekel per item which is really not alot for the quality of the stuff, but I simply cannot allow myself that amount of money. I bought 5 full pieces in Anokhi for 200 shekel!
Went into a couple of book shops as well but went crazy so only bought one..."Chaos", which I've seen my kids reading. I don't remember the names of the books my daughters recommended. If I did, icould have just asked for them, but to search through thousands of titles was impossible. They have everything you can imagine in these shops.
I am also reading a new book I purchased yesterday called Sister of my Heart by the author of Mistress of Spices (you can see a list of all the books I have read, or am still reading on the sidebar...). She seems to have written many novels, and actually (today is friday in the aftewrnoon , I have almost finished the book10.
Now just have to decide what goes finally into the parcel for home with the beads and incense, and I'm done. (Took care of that later in the afternoon and another 17 KG package is on its way home).
I also checked out, by this time after dark, a couple of hotels still in this area but off the main road...Prince Polonia and Cottage Yes Please, for my groups. The second one is brand new and absolutely inviting, and the prices are really quite reasonable for the luxury of the place. The Prince Polonia is older, not quite as nice, and alot more expensive. So now I have a good place for my groups to stay here in delhi as well.
Friday, april 13th
Got up early and had an easy breakfast. Checking out other rooftop restaurants but nothing is really great in this warm weather. Sam's is still best as it is AC or room service of course.
got myself a couple of croissonts for the train and for breakfast tomorrow, as well as an apple and some dried fruits so I am set for the train. Have finished packing, everything is ready to go, and I will rest the afternoon away now and be ready to leave for the train at 7:30 this evening.
A good test of full acclimatiation to India perhaps would be the comfort level felt in Delhi and in dealing with the city. And I would have to give myself a high passing grade this time. Part I guess is experience, part my new perspectives onlife in genenral and really learning how to take each moment as it comes, without worry, and part, the little bit of HIndi I've been using. When a rickshaw driver gave me a price and then tried to change it after we'd left, I told him in plane words that that was not nice to do. And then he suggested my shopping someplace he knew which is "better than Khan Market"...and I simply said again, "don't do that...go straight to Khan Market" in my best Hindi, and with a smile, he zipped of at the original price and directly there. No arguments etc. Even a single phrase like "nehi chaiyie" easily gets the touts away without being nasty, and everyone really seems to appreciate the effort of my trying to communicate...It immediately brings a smile (or perhaps they are just amused at my pronouncitaion) and together with it a more relaxed mood and way of relating to me.
shop keepers, rickshaw drivers etc., just seem nicer!
I am simply enjoying these 3 days in Delhi just as much as I enjoyed my days in rishikesh, even going so far as to be out exploring after dark (everything is lit up here) which I've never done before. I wanted to try the Metro but think I will pass. Also wanted to film some street scenes on video...maybe later today, and if not, it will still be here next time I come!
Namaste.....see you in Mcleod in a couple of days
Jane
India Journal 2006- Adventures in Delhi #2 - Just Another Perfect Day
Wednesday Evening, April 11th... Delhi Part 2
What a lovely day! (Mostly). Ilse never turned up...don't know why, but I don't know where sheis staying and she doesn't have e-mail. But I now realize I was meant to be on my own here in Delhi and it is great.
After breakfast however, I started feeling funny in my stomach only to discover I had diarrhea, which I NEVER get. I think perhaps the ice cream on the train...not that it was spoiled...but cold is very bad for my vatta and I have been avoiding it in all forms since doing Panchakarma. And perhaps the sudden cold
was not good for me. Or perhaps, as I mentioned in part 1 of this post, ALL the food in general on the train which was not good for me....Anyway, before going to the train station to get my ticket, I saw an ayurveda chemist right next door to my hotel and he gave me something to take. He looked at me and simply said "You're Vatta, travel and food and weather changes not good for you...by tomorrow you feel better for sure". And I do already feel better. Not much appetite but that is better as the food here is not wholesome and fresh as I am used to and I will probably begin eating better again once I get to McLeod.
Came back from getting my ticket which was a breeze, ate come jeera rice and then rested for a few hours. then got dressed and decided to see how much of my Paharganj shopping I could get done.
And guess what?!? I got the shoes right across the street...a pair for Shlomit and surprisingly, 2 pair for me. And then I went to the incense place and bought 3 KG (!) of various incense hich should last everyone for awhile. And then the bead shop. The guy remembered me, mainly as Abdellaji's friend. I bought 10 KG (!) of a variety of beads. Altogether only 150 shekel but another big bite into my India budget...1500 rupees plus another 2000 rupees for postage! The most expensive present I've ever brought here so far but it should serve 2 or even three people...Chanale, Dani and even Elisheva.
He will send the beads, theincense , shoes and anything else extra I collect over the next couple of days in a parcel for me. I've stopped thinking about money and am just enjoying the thrills of shoping for presents.
Tomorrow I go to get clothes for myself.
The big change is, I seem to have released my remainign fears of travel, Delhi, etc., and feel one with India completely. I am walking around in Paharganj in flip flops which may seem like no big deal to most of you, but I've never walked around here in anything but closed shoes. And suddenly, it just seems so easy and right to be completely at ease here. I don't even feel particularly hot today. Just walked around, didn't get hassled at all. Even practiced my new Hindi phrases in the shoe shop. First I asked in English for a discount on the 3 pairs of shoes but was told "Not possible...already cheap price Madam". Then I said "Iska dam, camka dijihe" and this big grin came onto the salesman face, as well as the other people in the shop who heard and he immediately gave me a 70 rupee discount which was quite nice...more than I would have expected. For me this is a real triumph as I am TERRIBLE about bargaining and usually don't even bother! And it is also so nice when a few simple words in Hindi can make people so happy!
Got back to my room with ALL my shopping done in less than 2 hours and ordered supper and when I turned o n the TV, Friends had just began.
So now, after a nice hot shower, supper and Friends, I am getting ready to sleep and quite relaxed and happy.
Yes...it's really been a lovely day!
Namaste
Jane
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
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
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
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
India Journal 2006#24 March 16-17 Weekend Relaxing and Fun with the Girls
Lots of catching up again so I will just take this slowly and go back to the last time I wrote...let's make believe today is Friday, March 16th!!
Well, working for a few days has given me an even greater pleasure at the things I can now do completely relaxed over the weekend, before beginning a new class on Sunday.
This morning, (note the above picture of a rhodedondren tree off my terrace)
following my meditation which I now do on the terrace in the lovely morning sun (which means that in addition to the pleasures of prayer and meditation and pranayama, I get a 1/2 hour sun bath all in one...quite efficient use of time!)...so, following my meditation session, and not having to prepare for "work", I am sitting on my terrace after ordering breakfast up here. Sun, lovely morning breeze, good book, Rubinstein playing in the background to complete the tranquil mood. Quite amazingly beautiful and relaxing. I am truly blessed.
I really miss this outdoor life in my current living situation in Raanana and hope to find my way back to a home with access to a yard and the possibility of enjoying the beauty of these lovely days outside in nature.
Will be going down to the market today with Shakti to look for shoes or sandals. Now that I know I won't be back as planned, I also have to begin stocking up on over-the-counter drugs, deodorants etc. to bring home.
In the end, Ruth, a lovely new lady who is now staying here, from New Zealand, joined us and I looked all over rishikesh market, driving at least 10 poor salesmen crazy with my search for the perfect shoe for my very imperfect feet, and finally found a pair of simple women's sandals which I can't use in the end as I cannot walk downhill with them. (March 21...today, just as I was walking into the internet place, I noticed a small shop with a few odd pairs of shoes outside. Asked if they had sandals for me, and for 150 rupees, 15 shekel, found a perfect pair of good walking sandals which should last at least for the next few months until I get home). It was really a mistake not to take my own good sandals with me, but I didn't realize Rishikesh would be so clean that I would feel like wearing sandals. I will know better next time I come back here and in the meantime will make due with the ones I found yesterday.
Shakti in the meantime shopped for "home furnishings" for her room as she will be coming back here next week after going to Katmandu to renew her visa for another 6 months. so she is doing interior decorating!!
We had a lovely day out in the "big town" as you can see from the picture...and note the really funny request at the end of the menu...we thought to do that just as we left, courtsey, but figured it would be too weird!!
Following this very pleasant day, I came back to my room and guess just relaxed, and spent time with friends, and in the evening, received a request for a consultation from 2 girls. I did my best over the next few days for one of them and hopefully she will continue her trip feeling a little better than she did before she came to see me.
And then, the weekly phone call from my Mother and even got to speak to my daughter, Shlomit...it was really nice...I so much enjoy this weekly contact and the mobile phone really is a wonderful thing, as long as I don't abuse it. also makes it easier for people here to make appointments with me.
And then, knowing that everything was taken care of, I got into the shower...and to my surprise the phone rang again. And somehow I knew it was Abdellah!! And knew he would say Shabbat Shalom as he always does when he calls....
Finished my shower, called back the number on the screen and sure enough it was him! What a wonderful talk we had...I so look forward to seeing him in a few weeks when I get to Dharamsala.
And the peacefully to sleep.
The truth be told, I don't remember what I did all day Shabbat, but do know that it was a very pleasant day as well...mostly relaxed around the guesthouse, prepared for Sunday, etc.
So, I think I will end this post here and start a new one for the new week.
Namaste to all
Jane
Friday, March 09, 2007
India Journal 2006 #20 March 8-10 THE FIRST LESSON / POEM AND SHOPPING!!
Well, for those of you who have been following my travels over the past 6 years, you know that every trip holds certain lessons for me, and each trip is different in character and unique in the ways these lessons are shown to me. (Later in this post I will give a quick rundown of what I've been doing the past few days so skip over the next part if you choose to and move down to read the full "travel" part of the story.
This trip is no different of course, and, in spite of all the busyness of the past week (or perhaps because of it), I remained awake almost the whole night last night (and that is part of another story which will eventually follow), and while awake, some wonderful things and insights presented themselves to me. I will share them with you, but since they are more concerned with things other than travels, I will post them on the Mindfulness Journal and you can access the lesson, the Poem, the quotes, the understandings etc.,
HERE and
HERE
On second thought, am posting here as well...simply easier for my readers:
The Sudden Need to Know-
But knowing is not what it seems to be
Is knowing knowledge?
or is it understanding of TRUTH!
To know what your personal truth IS, is the most profound
form of understanding.
And when what you know to be TRUE is what guides you
along your path,
Then you may stumble at times, you may even feel a momentary fear
when faced with some new obstacle,
But you will never stray
Because you KNOW!!
LESSON ONE:
TRUST IN THE DIVINE AND PUT YOUR FAITH IN TRUTH
My TRUTH is service to others! I have know this for a very long time, but it was shot with an arrow which hit the target bull's eye this time!!
And, just as all this came together, I read the following in Paulo Coelho's book which I am now reading:
...Death is possibly THE most important thing. We are all walking towards death, but we never know when death will touch us and it is our duty, therefore, to look around us, to be grateful for each minute. But we should also be grateful to death, because it makes us think about the importance of each decision we take, or fail to take: it makes us stop doing anything that keeps us stuck in the category of the "living dead" and, instead, urges us to risk everything, to bet everything on those things we always dreamed of doing, because, whether we like it or not, the angel of death is waiting for us.
So, this is the poem, and the lesson, and I will now work and making things move along, always following the guidance I am so lovingly given each and every moment of each and every day (and night)!
in the Mindfulness Journal. You will also find there a post about an amazing healing I was asked to perform and guided with specific instructions to, as well. (To be posted shortly...look for it).
Within several days I received the message through the tree, the poem and specific lesson, and then an amazing Tarot reading in my room at night...all things giving further validation to the messages sent to me this past week. So check them out on the other blog if you are so inclined, and if not, just continue reading here with some regular, ordinary news of my days in Rishikesh.
Friday, March 9th
Just a pleasant day, where I had the last of my 5 back massages, spent some time in internet still trying to catch up, then walked down to Laxman Jula, got my CD's, sat at a lovely coffee shop overlooking the Ganga, had my first cappucino in India and met a lovely German lady named Sabina. Returned home afterwards and that's when I did a Tarot reading for myself as mentioned above, and it will appear on the other blog.
Had dinner in my room, received a call from one of my daughters, went up to visit a sick friend, gave her Ginger and reiki and she woke up fine the next morning, call from my Mother and then back up to the room for needlepoint, some lovely classical music, and off to sleep.
Saturday, March 10th
SHOPPING DAY!!
I had actually decided to do some shopping yesterday, but when I got to the first shop, I realized that I had forgotten my money in my room!! I guess I was meant to do something requiring less energy yesterday, like eat cake and drink cappucion and talk to a nice lady at a coffee shop overlooking the Ganga.....
Anyway, I've already found the perfect gifts for my granddaughters, but had a list of shawels to buy for many people, and with the variety of shawels available here, I kept putting it off. I hate shopping in general, and having to pick things for other people is always very difficult, particularly with the descriptions THEY give, how I understand them, and the enormous choice of items available in the shops.
So, I got myself together, and first had a good lunch, where I met a lovely lady from South Africa, and finally went on my way to check out the shawel shops. And, even though it was difficult, there was pleasure in the shopping as the store keepers were really nice, pleasant, patient and didn't try to push anything. In addition, they had each shawel marked with a price and immediately told me there would be a 25% discount at the end of the purchase. So that also saved me the torture of bargaining which I hate doing and am hopeless at anyway. I had already checked prices so new approximately what I should be paying...and also found out that the shawels here are either the same price or even cheaper than the ones in Dharamsala, so decided to shop here and get my package off, and get the shopping off my mind. There are many Indians shopping here and the prices are the same for everyone which is a good feeling.
So, whether everyone will be satisfied or not, I do not know, but I am done with shopping for now and think I have put some lovely things into the parcel which I will send shortly. When I get home, I will show everyone what I chose for them...also several for myself there. I know my friends will have what they want as well as my Mother, as they described something very specific which I found to my great delight. My daughters on the other hand, gave me very abstract vague descriptions of what they wanted, so much was left to my interpretation.
Came back home quite pleased, rested and here I am. I will now go over to the other blog and see if I can get some of the other really fascinating events into writing for whoever is interested in reading them.
Namaste
Jane
