A Bucket and Beach Life!

Last Saturday I woke up feeling really off.  My body was sore and my stomach had this really weird hollow feeling in it.  I tried doing some yoga but I couldn't focus so I decided to go get some sugarcane juice, it usually helped with hangovers so I figured it would help with this weird feeling.
I was thinking it could be from just sleeping on a shitty mattress or, I was getting a migraine.  Either way sugarcane was my goal and then back to my hut for a video call.

As I walked along in the heat I felt drained and dehydrated and the thought of food, well, honestly... I didn't have an appetite (surprisingly).  I just wanted to get back to mine and relax my body.

After my video call I decided to take a nap.  At this point I had a bit of a headache and I was feeling nauceous.  I figured taking a nap I could sleep it off.  However it seemed to get worse in my sleep.  I felt even more sick to my stomach and my energy plummeted, my stomach started to gurgle and new I had to make a trip to the toilet which honestly is 7 steps from my bed but it took a lot of energy to convince myself to get there. 

I made it safely and released the lower half of my body.  Water, it was literally water.  When I got off the toilet I grabbed the big bucket in my bathroom and put it beside my bed  just in case I thought.  With my lack of energy I just had a feeling.

I went back to sleep but it was worse this time.  I kept dreaming of food and people eating and I kept waking up feeling more and more nauceous and my stomach was sore and gurggling.

                                                            WARNING
*For those of you with weak stomachs I would skip this part....it doesn't get pretty*

I tossed and turned for awhile with horrible food dreams until I finally just shot up in bed and felt it.  Uh oh I thought.  I turned to the side, leaned over my bucket and let go.  Literally projectile vomited 5 times into the  bucket.  I couldn't stop it just kept coming out .... must've been the bad fruit.

Let's rewind back to Friday. 

My friend and I had bought some fruit and took it to the beach with us but I had a cantaloupe left over so I decided to eat it the next day for lunch. 

I was enjoying my fruit it was tasty.  However it had a bad spot in it so I was cutting it out, that's when I saw them.... MAGGOTS!!! I ran to the toilet and vomited hoping that if I had swallowed/ingested I had gotten them out.

Now back to the bucket....

Must've been that bad fruit. Fucking maggots!!! 

I stopped vomiting, then felt my lower half start going.  Fuck! At this point I felt even weaker and those 7 steps ahead of seemed like a life time away but I needed to get there and fast.  At the same time the smell from the bucket was hitting my nostrils.... ughhh.

I picked up the bucket, and as fast as I could I went to my toilet, literally making it there just in time. 
The sweats started at this point and the whole feeling of being sick just came over my body.   I released what I could from my lower half but again, it was water and not much as I literally had nothing left in my system at this time.  Again the smell of the bucket was hitting my nostrils as I was emptying myself.  Ughhh....this is so not fun.

Finally I finished.  As quickly as I could I got up, flushed, dumped the bucket while looking the other way, filled it with water, dumped it again and repeated.  Put it back beside my bed and stumbled outside.  At this point I had tears running down my face, sweat and literally looked like something out of a Stephen King movie hahaha.

One of my landlords sisters said "Emmie, what's wrong."  "Please I need some bottles of water I'm not feeling very well."  However, I actually felt 30% better!  I went back to sleep but the worst of it was over and I only got better from there.   I still had diarrhea for a few days but whatever it was - I think it was the maggots - was out of my system.

Lol I know I know, it's not a pleasant story but I figured if I go through it, you want to read about it so detail is important hahaha.

That's seriously the worst thing that has happened to me since I have been in Inida and I am glad it happened here.   The fact of having my own place, a couple of friends here and the people I rent from knew I was sick and said I could knock on their door anytime of  night made me feel so much better.  There is nothing like being sick like that and worrying you might die from it hahaha.

So yes... my own place.  The day after James and I arrived in Goa I was on a mission to find myself a place.  By early afternoon I had found a hut on the beach run by a family!  I moved in a couple days later.

I had called my buddy Jim - I met him and his sister Lucy at Tushita in Dharamkot and Jim is living here until April - to see if he could help me move as we all know I don't travel light.  He rolls up on his motorcycle.  Amazing!  I was hungover and didn't want to carry my 80 litre backpack and all extras across town.

I bought him lunch and then we went to this all day party at this high end resort.  It was okay...not totally my thing and I lost him for about two hours so wasn't having fun at that point but it was interesting and I ran into some people from the hostel.  The music well.... it was reggae and then went into dubstep which I can't stand but the last set was pretty good.

It's a big pot smoking community here and it's not really my thing.  They smoke it every where here even in the restaurants so going to these parties it's just everywhere lol which is not my thing at all. But Jim is fun to hang out with and it was nice meeting other people and seeing others I knew.

I seriously couldn't be happier.   There are 6 huts, three small and three big - I have a big one as I am going to be here awhile and it has a bathroom, no hot water though.  It's got a little gated area that opens right up to the beach!  I can hear the ocean in my hut! 

My days are spent walking through the market streets or hanging at the beach.  I teach (or trying anyways)  yoga 4 mornings a week, then I go to the beach and then I come back and teach.  It is literally perfect and I am smiling every day.   I have 3 locations for teaching but I don't really know anyone here so it's hard to get people to come but it will happen over time.

I know some of the cafe and restaurant workers but I honestly keep to myself most of the time unless I happen to go over to the hostel and then meet someone and hang out with them until they move on to their next destination which actually happened just recently.

Christmas, I went over to the hostel as I was supposed to teach yoga there but knew it wouldn't happen (everyone there partied the night before).  But I went because it's a commitment.  I started talking to this guy (Flavius) about.... ummm I can't even remember but we ended up going to a bakery for breakfast and then hung out at the beach all day.  We decided since we were both alone and it was Christmas to go for a really nice dinner on the beach which was fantastic!  Though, my stomach was still a bit off because it was only days before I had been sick so I couldn't eat a lot...but the wine went down well.  I was only going to have glass but he said "two, it's always two glasses.  One glass makes only one leg go funny so you need two to balance things out."  I got confused between the word glasses and bottles...because it was two bottles that balanced things out for me haha.   After a fantastic dinner at Zodiac - which is where I always go to lie in the sun as the service is great and one of the guys who works there is fantastic - we decided to see if there was anything going on at the hostel however we didn't make it there. 

At the beginning of the street where the hostel is there is a restaurant called Rendez-vous and it is one of my favourites.   As we walked by I saw the manager in there and popped in to say Merry Chirstmas.  This ended up in a few free beers!  Merry Christmas!!! 

James left last week ... I was sad as I feel like he had been with me almost my whole India adventure.  I miss his smile and his accent and just having him around but he was going home to surprise his mum for Christmas.

There is always something going on here.  Live music, yoga, parties....you can't be bored.   At night the beach restaurants put tables all along the sand and light candles, they have fresh fish on ice and some also have live music. If you keep walking further South from me you come to the hippie market and drum circle.... it's a completely different vibe but it is super cool.   Goa is full of tourists and ex-pats so there is a very big foreign community.  It's very different from what I am used to.

It's really hard to explain.  I guess the way I am spiritually is on a different level than a lot of the people here.  So clicking with people ins't always easy, but I enjoy watching and listening and I have bought a hoola-hoop hahaha so we will see how that goes.

To my write there are the cliffs.  You take the single road that goes through this little market - and I love walking through it - for about 20 minutes.  When you come out on the other side  you are at this really pretty beach...much quieter than Arambol beach.... and there is also this beautiful round lake, surrounded by palm trees and jungle.  I love it over there... Sweet Water Beach.

Last week I had gone with a buddy of mine.  Flip flops off - as it's sand and rock and most people here go barefoot - walking along and then SMASH!!! MY TOE!!! AGAINST A ROCK!!! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!!! Seriously,  I have not had good luck with my feet this year.  It's fine though lol thank goodness.  I kept checking it to make sure that it wasn't broken hahaha, that's all I need.

Two days ago  Flavius and I decided to go to one of the restaurants along the cliff and enjoy a beer and pizza.  The place was really nice with good music - I felt a little bit like I was in Mexico - and I was so looking forward to my pizza.  When it arrived I looked at it with hungry eyes, picked up a slice and took a big bite.  Mmmm broccoli,  I took another bite ..... there was absolutely no flavour in anything, Not in the tomatoes, cheese, or even the broccoli for that matter, there wasn't even a bit of tomato sauce on it.  It was bland as fuck...and honestly the worst pizza I ever had.  It was like the last person I hooked up with, boring with no excitement and enjoyable on their side hahaha seriously it was awful.  Flavius said his was the same but he was hungry so he ate both his and mine. 
When our server came over and asked how it was I was honest "it was bland there was no taste at all, it was the worst pizza I have ever had."  "Okay" he said and smiled.  That was all. Hahaha, gotta love India.

Now it is the 29th of December,  not much time left before the new year is here!  I'm actually really excited for 2019 ... I have quite a bit going on - that I can't share yet - but its in the works and being here in my hut is great as I can get a lot of work done and focus.

Today Flavius and I are gonna go for lunch and then..... I don't know....the beach maybe lol, or maybe some yoga on the beach.  He likes doing yoga with me because I show him how to actually work the postures.  Who knows really ... its a lazy but active life...you aren't doing anything but aren't doing nothing here lol. It's exactly what I need.

So....with that being said.  Enjoy your last few days of 2018 and be safe on New Years Eve...don't drink and drive and don't drive and drink.   I wish you all the best for the coming year.  Until then... talk to you next year!

                                                               - My Beautiful Life -

The Blue City, Photos and Being in a Mixing Bowl.

So I left off with James and the Dutch checking out the city while I stayed back. I also went to bed early that night while the others stayed up.

The next day (which was our last day)  we went for a walk through the city streets.  I really wanted to go to the Blue City where everything is ...well, blue!

I really enjoyed walking the city streets!  It was wonderful.  Because we were in a local area nobody really bothered us.  No one was trying to sell us anything at all, they just waved and said hello.  The best part was all the photos we got asked for...not of us but of them.  We would be taking pictures of buildings or dogs and they
would ask or show with their hands that they wanted photos of themselves and then would ask to see them.   One woman fixed her head scarf to show her earrings and after I took a photo of her a woman walked up to me and asked for hers to be taken.  Another man wanted his photo with Anouschka and I after we took pictures of puppies. I usually don't take pictures with the locals but he was really sweet and then offered us free chai masala - my angel drink so it was well worth it.

We saw some children playing at a doorway and asked them for a photo and they ran behind their gate, but their mum came out and made them stand for the photo.

Two men eating in front of a doorway asked for their photo to be taken, another woman asked me if I would take a photo of her after I took pictures of the spices in the shop she was sitting at.

I hadn't felt this relaxed since being in the cities.  I am not a city person but India is full-on so its a completely different experience than any other city.  I felt calm and happy and really enjoyed meeting the locals and loved that they wanted their pictures taken.

I was really excited about the Blue City...blue is my favourite colour so it was like blue heaven for me.  It's not as blue as you would think but it is still pretty blue.

After wandering the streets we found a nature park with awesome view points of the Fort and the Blue City.  We wandered the pathways and climbed up towers - which wasn't fun for my vertigo but the pictures turned out great!

We were back by 3pm and I hopped on my computer to teach and then James and I headed to the bus station for our 32 hour journey down to Goa!

It wasn't  too bad.  He had a sleeper bus so we had our own little cubbies... it's not a the best sleep but
it is heaps better than sitting in a seat all day and night.   Stretching my legs was the biggest bonus, it was definitely more comfortable for my legs.  My head however, was a different story.  My ceiling was weird so it came lower which means I couldn't really sit straight so I always had to sit half up.  I also didn't have a curtain in my cubby so I had to make shift a curtain with no hooks and my scarf and succeeded.

The next day we had a stop in Mumbai.  After an hour I asked why we were waiting so long ... we arrived an hour early so we had to wait.  Okay that's fair, but then we stopped again and just sat there, not moving. "Get off the bus! Now" You get off!"  There were only 4 of us on the bus and they wouldn't drive to Goa with just four of us on the bus so they were changing us to another sleeper bus...but they didn't even want to give us enough time to put our stuff together, they were in a hurry.

James and I had to share a bed....well,  this is how it works.  He could share with me or, I would take one to myself and he would have to share with someone else.   When you book a double you only book half of the sleeper, but if a woman books a double and a man books the same bed, the man is not allowed that spot.  So with only two spots left on this new bus these were the options so we decided to share.  We were at the back on the bottom and it was just a curtain not a door and it was bumpy as fuck!!! I felt like I was a bunch of ingredients being tossed around in a mixing bowl.  I was lying down just being thrown around in a circular motion and I swear I even got a little bit of air underneath me.  I just giggled, I found it entertaining and made things a little more active for our long drive.

Due to the switch of the buses we were now on the new buses schedule which meant we didn't have a food or bathroom break for about 10 hours!!! Ughh.   And no, they don't have toilets on the  bus, they usually stop every 3 -4 hours but we got on this bus at 7 so it was 3 hours for them, much longer for us.

We arrived in Goa tired but excited!

The beach, after weeks in the cities and mountains I need to get back to the sunshine and  sand.

I have adjusted perfectly to the life here in Arambol Goa.  I have rented my own hut on the beach and... well, you are gonna have to wait till my next blog post.

                                                        - My Beautiful Life-

"Come to the Desert," they said. "It will be fun!"

So far, I think Pushkar is my favourite city. There is a buzz about it as well as a smell about it...but I really liked it.

The first day we got there we didn't really do anything... the hostel it an awesome rooftop cafe so we just sat around and enjoyed doing nothing.

The next day however, we decided to go down to Pushkar Lake in the morning and then head back as the Dutch were arriving sometime in the late afternoon.

Pushkar Lake.

One of the three most holiest waters in India.  Pilgrims  come from all over the country to bathe in the Ghats - holy pools - surrounding the lake.  Each Ghat has a name and it is said that some of Ghandi's ashes were spread in one of them.  It's not overly breath taking but there is a very nice energy there, quiet and peaceful.  It was really nice to just sit there, watching the people bathe,  a man yell at tourists to take off their shoes - he also yelled at me because I had put my shoes on the ground beside me where I was sitting.  Cows eating garbage - yup even here they throw away their garbage but yet we can't wear our shoes.  There are locals scamming tourists with the purchase of flowers and a long winded story with a small ceremony... it was interesting, funny and peaceful all at the same time.  You also can't take pictures (sneaky me.)

We wandered the small streets as its not really a city, the town (from my understanding) was built around the lake, but it's busy.  Like Rishikesh, the streets are not just busy with people and cows but motorbikes as well.  There is a lot of honking and close calls to getting run over, but I managed to survive.  Also, just like Rishikesh the streets are lined with shops and cafe's, but they seem to be more colourful, darker but with a warm cozy feeling.

There is a real hippy vibe in Pushkar, shops have crazy fluorescent posters or curtains hanging outside which would give their full effect under a black light, funky clothing (no I didn't buy any), and a cafe (as I only know of one) that sells bung lassi's.  A lassi is a curd (yogurt drink) ... I can maybe explain it as a thick Yop type drink.  A bung lassi has hash in it.  The guys enjoyed theirs,  I enjoyed my water lol but we did sit and draw pictures for 2 hours laughing like children.

The next day James, Gareth the Dutch and I went for a walk through the busy streets and headed to the Brahma temple.  It's the only one like it in the world and people come from all over to see it.  It is a quick visit but it is interesting to see.  You get blessed and give offerings and walk down below into a tomb where it is said part of the God Shiva is buried.

I had to work so I headed back before everyone but Gareth joined me as we wanted to book a camel safari tour for the next day.

A two hour camel ride into the desert, sunset, supplied water, a cabin (basically glamping style in the desert), running water, hot showers, a nice meal, bonfire, traditional dancers, breakfast and a two hour camel ride back... "be here for 4 o'clock tomorrow.  We were super excited!!!

We met there at 4 and walked over to our camels.  My came - Salim - was fantastic...he listened and rode very nicely so I wouldn't fall off.  Gareth' however, was not as great.  Cobra, kept trying to scratch his legs because he was itchy from the flies, so he would throw up his back leg which made for Gareth's ride a little unstable.

We walked through a gypsy village where I had a guy tell me "nice camel, I like your tattoos," and follow Salim and I for a bit.   Our sunset point was also in a gypsy area and we got followed and hounded by them for money... but I got some great photos and the camels were able to rest and take a nap for a little bit.

There were water stops for the camel so they wouldn't dehydrate,  Salim slurped it up like loudly,  like a child slurping up a bowl of soup.  However when I asked for water they said it wasn't included...first red flag.

After awhile the guides got on the camels with us.  Just as we hit the "desert" I noticed that the remote for my new selfie stick had fallen out of the bottom of my stick so we had to back track 20 minutes.  Not only did we not find it but it set us back 40 minutes so by the time we got back to the "desert" it was dark and Gareth was in pain.  "Camels are not fun when you have testicles!"  He yelled back at Salim and I. "And my ass is going raw."  I won't lie, camel's are not the most comfortable thing to ride, they are awkward, the seats are uncomfortable and the stirrups are rope, so I had that rubbing against my foot.  To be honest, I kind of wanted the ride to be done with, I just wanted to get to our campsite, chill with the others from their rides around the campfire, watch the dancers and just relax.

"How you doing up there Gareth?!?"  I called.  "I'm meditating."  "Is it helping?" "Kind of, but not really!"

I was a bit nervous going through the "desert" at night and the back of Gareth and his guide on the camel looked really fucking scary to be honest.  It looked like a very tall lank person hunched over walking, swinging it's arms oddly (look up Slender Man, ughh, so creepy) in the middle of the track in this so-called "desert."  Desert, the second red flag...it wasn't a desert, it was literally just sand with buildings and some trees.  "Come to the desert, they said, it will be fun," Gareth said up ahead of me.  "I'm guess your testicles aren't any better?"  I called up.  "No!"

Then we see some silhouettes of camels, camels every where.  They were just standing there eating or doing whatever camels do.  My guide hopped off the back of Salim and lead us through the group of camels -  I couldn't tell what was a tree or a camel at that point - and to our campsite.

"Good night Salim, get some sleep and I will see you tomorrow," I said as I got off him.  It's a little difficult walking after being on a camel for a few hours,  it's kind of like having a pickle up your but, or at least that's what Gareth looked like.

We stopped dead in our tracks when we entered the campground.

No more red flags...just you've been scammed flashed across the clear night sky!

There were no cabins just four big tents and a bonfire... if you could call it that.  A big piece of a tree with a small fire in the middle of a big group - I think they were from Korea or at least some of them were, the others could've been from Japan.  This is based off of one guy having a Korean Red Cross vest on and an Indian kid asking us if we were from Korea or Japan - one of the women laughed at this.

We were shown into our huge tent that was done up with mattresses on the floor with pillows and duvets and they served us some fresh chai masala (bonus.)

We went to join the others outside, however they didn't speak English so it was just us two with our dinner.  I didn't eat much of it as I didn't trust the food at this point especially after seeing the so called bathroom... a tarpaulin covering with a toilet inside of it.  Yes a real toilet but obviously not flushable,  we were in the middle of the "desert" how would it even flush.

We giggled at our dinner and tried to make light of things...it was quite funny but extremely disappointing.  We did get traditional dancers however as promised which I think were the best part
of the night.  They were beautiful and jingled with every move... however they came around asking for tips when done.

I decided after this to curl up with my book and call it a night... I was getting a cold and due to lack of other's for us to communicate with I wanted to get some sleep.  The others however had their own plan, beer and saki they clapped and laughed away and slept under the open sky.

Before getting into bed I asked Gareth to walk over to the so-called toilet with me.  As I was about to enter one of the Korean/Japanese men came over and said "no," and pointed.  Then I heard "HUHHHHHHHH!" Uh oh,  I thought and looked at Gareth, we giggled.  Again "HUHHHHHHHHH."  Someone's stomach definitely wasn't agreeing with the food.  When she walked out and I peaked in...yup...toilet doesn't flush... I peed out behind a bush somewhere.  On one  foot as I didn't realize down hill was towards my left food.

Grumpy Gareth - as he called himself - was obviously in negative mood as everything bothered him, the music, the sand in the bed, there are burrs on the comforter, "when are you turning the light off?"

I was fine, I fell asleep reading my book thought didn't sleep well but I slept, but we did find hundred's of mice footprints around the bed...at least they didn't crawl in the bed with me....at least I don't think they did.

We woke up at 6:30am ready to leave, Gareth especially.  "I'm not riding a camel today I'm walking, I'm in too much pain and...."  he continued on. I felt the same, I wanted to leave, my cold was worse, I literally wanted my cat and my laptop and a movie day - a girl can dream. 

We walked down to the camels... Salim was eating contently but neither him or Cobra were ready to go.  I looked at my phone, 7:02am, we should be leaving already.  I walked up to the makeshift kitchen and asked if we could leave..." tea, masala, five minutes."  "No thank you, we would like to leave now, we were told we would leave at 7 and be back by 9 and we have to catch a bus."  They didn't really like the response but they went down to get the camels ready.  "I thought we got breakfast?"  I asked "We hab banana?"   "No thanks."

There was a big fuss when we were getting on our camels.  Gareth wanted to sit in the second seat as it was more comfortable for his testicles. "Okay, you and her, one camel okay?"  "No!" I said harshly.  "We paid for two camels, we are each getting one.  What is the big deal?  He can sit in whatever seat he want's."  At this point Grumpy Gareth started walking (a little bit over-reacting in my opinion), but finally after calling him back he got on the camel.

When we got to the road he got off and started walking still grumpy..."I haven't showered since yesterday morning!" he says.... "ummm, neither have I."  Geez it's only 24 hours...relax dude, it's not the end of the world.  I get it...he was set off when we got to the campsite so everything was bothering him, but I was sick plus hungover the day before and I didn't complain as much as him...he would've hated the camper van trip I did in New Zealand, we barely got to shower hahaha.

 When we got back to the the guides asked for tips!  Gareth gave them a tip... I wasn't obliged.

"That was horrendous!"  Gareth said when we were walking back to our hostels.  "Dude, that was not horrendous.  It wasn't what we paid for but it wasn't horrendous...and I definitely have a good blog to write about it."  "It was horrendous."  It definitely wasn't the best thing I have experienced or the greatest tour I have gone on but it definitely wasn't the worst either, I find it kind of funny to be honest.

Later that day Gareth went to the guy and complained.  He was in complete denial of ever saying any of the sales pitch he gave us.  When he complained about no water their response "there was water in the toilet."  Hahahahaha.

I ended up going in as well when I was looking for a bank.  The man didn't say much to me...he just looked at him and kept saying "okay."  Some young guy tried telling me another guy sold me the trip but I laughed at him.  "All those pictures you showed us saying you personally took them on one of the trips.  Look at the cabins with running water?  Why don't you show me those pictures on your phone again and I will show you mine and we can compare."   "I'm not a cheat." He said very quietly.  "Hahhaha, you scam tourist's and you have probably already done it again today and will do it again tomorrow.  Your not a very nice person, your an asshole."  I left, and I felt better.

We were supposed to grab a bus to Jodhpur that day but James wanted to wait till the next day...thank goodness.  I was tired and not feeling well from my cold so I didn't want to go anywhere.  I relaxed, read my book and went to sleep.

We grabbed a bus yesterday to Jodhpur and had an awesome night at the hostel with the Dutch and some new friends playing cards.

James and the Dutch went to walk around the city.  I stayed back to write this and I also work in 30 minutes...but I am still fighting my cold so  I really don't mind having a day to myself.

So with that, I am going to say until next time. I hope you enjoyed my desert story... and remember, beware of Desert Safari's lol they will tell you they are fun.

                                                                     - My Beautiful Life -

Sad Elephants, a Wonderful Man and a Dream for Me.

The Yoga classes in the mountains were great and so was the teacher!  It was a type of yoga I had never done before; in fact, I had never even heard of it until I saw it on the sign... but it was fantastic.  It concentrates on opening all of your chakras and wow... do you ever feel fantastic after class...lighter, cleaner and just all around great!

The studio...if you didn't know what it was (which I hadn't up until
this point) you would think it was just a big tarpaulin tent...however when you went inside it was this cute little studio with a few mats  and felt laid out on a cement floor.  Shawls hanging along the wall to give it some colour and
one side completely open to the beautiful  mountain view... it was the perfect place.

We did this for a few mornings and then went for a nice brunch as I was always hungry afterward ... of course.

Our last morning we sat with our wonderful teacher in his garden, drinking tea with mint pulled fresh from his garden.  We talked about life and yoga enjoying the moment with an incredible view of the mountains... life is good.

I took an overnight bus to Delhi...and it was a shitty bus!!! First I had to walk from the hostel up the rocky road (no, not the ice cream), in the dark to get a cab...thank goodness the guy from the hostel carried my backpack and guided the way because I would still be there lost and crying hahaha.

The bus...well...let''s just say it wasn't my best bus experience in all the years I have traveled...however I did meet some awesome people so it has a bonus side...plus I got a story out of it ... another bonus.

I usually spend more money on a bus for comfort but the hostel could only book with this company and I wasn't walking down to Macleodganj until the next day and that's when I wanted my ticket for so I decided to go with it.

It was a pure traveler bus...I saw people from the meditation course and other I hadn't seen before.  It was just a bunch of travelers so it meant the bus wasn't full and I had an empty seat next to me...score...this means I could stretch out and get a better nights sleep.  WRONG!!!  The bus was so bumpy... it had no shock absorber's so it bounced and shook.  I was getting a big motion sick and the girl a few rows up was vomiting into a plastic bag.... it was cold with her window open but it felt good and helped me feel better.  I think she puked the better part of the trip.

We bounced all night...at one point I saw my computer bag in the middle of the isle along with my shoes.  My tea holder went flying out of my hands and I  couldn't find it but the guy in front of me handed it back.   The seats were silky so when I found a decent position I would just slide right out of it.  Bumps had us flying out of our seat... so a sleep ... even a decent sleep seemed very far out of my reach for the night.

We did however arrive two hours early.... let me explain.   In India you are usually on time, or late but never early.... so... he was driving like a speed demon... just like our driver to Taj Mahal... trust me you can feel it in a bus especially when it's bumby.  I didn't mind though it cut our drive from 12 hours to 10 hours.  The guys at the hostel were great...they woke up and let us check in which was great.

I met two others on the bus.  Kirsten and Benny.  Benny had been talking about staying at a guest house which was close to where we were.  It was $3 a night but I would've paid $3 just to not stay there.  There was mold absorbed into the white walls,  the communal toilet had old cigarettes on the floor and I didn't even want to have a look at the shower.  The bed room looked a bit like a jail cell.  Benny stayed there but bought new sheets and blankets and Kirsten stayed with me at the hostel.

It was  nice day we went for lunch and dinner.... I booked my bus for the next day..... I did another cheap one because it wasn't an overnight trip and then went to bed.

I caught my 7:30am bus the next morning and was on my way to Delhi to meet up with James (met him in Delhi when I first arrived).  Just like last time, he was the first face I saw when I entered the hostel.  We had drinks that night...well, we had to buy them under-the-table as it was a dry day.  I felt the beer the next morning (and the cigarettes - I know, I know) but I wasn't bad...and we were off to Jaipur.

Our bus trip was 6 hours.  James had booked our bus and went expensive so we had a nice bus... well not the nicest I have had but at least nicer than my overnight bus.  We arrived in Jaipur around 5, hopped in a tuk-tuk and went to the hostel.    We went for dinner with one of our roommates to a restaurant just up the road from the hostel that the owner had recommended.  It doesn't look like much from inside or outside but of course the food was great!

The next morning I was up early to do my yoga practice and our roommate joined me, and while we were practicing two other girls asked if they could have a class with me the next morning.  I of course said yes but ended up sleeping in so it didn't happen.

The next day we planned a city tour...the tuk-tuk driver had given us his number so I had messaged him with a list of places we wanted to go and he said okay for a very good price - $20.

We went to the Amber fort - we don't know anything about it really because we didn't get a guide but I took some awesome pictures.  There were elephants there.  I cried when I saw them.  The elephants are beaten and treated horribly.   It is always female elephants because they are less aggressive than the males.  They are painted to look colourful and fun. People pay to sit in the basket on top and ride them.  Elephants look like they have a strong stable back but they don't.  They walk slowly and sadly, you can literally feel how sad they are as they walk through the crowd and the people on top smiling and laughing because they are riding an elephant.

Their trunks are white down the center.  In order to get the paint off they are scrubbed with rocks resulting in their trunks fading.  It's really awful how animals are treated in many countries around the world, it's heart breaking... they have literally broken these animals just for a joy ride...it's awful.


We went to the Floating Palace.  From my understanding a man of stature - a long time ago built it for his wife.  She wanted place to hangout so he built her a house out in the middle of the water.  There used to be tours out to it however, there are crocodiles in the water and a few years ago a tourist ... well, I'm sure I don't have to continue the story.  It wasn't a happy ending so they stopped the tours.



We went to some step wells.  Back in the day, the people used to get their water from step wells.  They would take buckets and go down to the water line.  They are really beautiful and still in good condition... the one we were at reminded me of the scene in Labyrinth.

We visited the Monkey Temple which was my favourite.  When you enter the area it doesn't smell great, there are lots of dog and the people, I think they live there,  its not the nicest looking place.  And, of course, there are monkeys, everywhere.  There are so many, even on the walk up they are on the road and the stone wall that lines the road.  They still make me nervous, I'm always afraid they are going to attack even though I know they are used to humans.  The red faced ones are the aggressive ones and unfortunately these are the most common.  You just have to walk slowly and don't make I contact or smile at them, then you will be in trouble.

We got blessed at the top and then went and looked out at Jaipur from the top.

Jaipur is a pretty city.  The buildings are bigger and in better shape than the places I have been to in India.  The streets are cleaner along with the buildings... it seems richer and you can see it in everything...though of course it is still polluted...you can see it sitting over the city.  We stood there looking out for I don't know how long.  I watched kids on their rooftops fly their kites and twirl around.  It was really calming watching the city and listening to the far off sounds of the car horns and other city sounds.

We drove through the Pink city... all the buildings in the city are...well...pink!  Rajasthan (the state we are in)  has cities of different colours, and Jaipur has the Pink City.

I had been very clear with our driver that we just wanted to go to the places on our list and that we didn't want to be taken to any places where he would get commission ... he was offended and said he was not like that ... but.... lol.  He made up excuses, the restaurant we wanted to go to was too far so he took us to a really good place that he knew about.... it was awesome ... but already against what I had told him.  I wanted to go to a market and look at jewelry as Jaipur is known for it's amazing jewelry.  "Nope, there are no markets like that, they won't be authentic I can take you to a factory!"  We told him to just take us back to the hostel.... he had said okay the night before.... ah well, next time.  Yes there will be a next time, I'm going back, I will explain that next.

The next day I was going on a tour with the owner of the hostel.   He runs his own NGO.  He has an after school program for children, and classes for women to get educated....here they learn how to read, write, and do mathematics.   They also learn how to sew.  He gets organic cotton and left over material from companies that are going to throw away their scraps.  Then the women make clothing and other things...one being all the bed linens for the hostel.  He also takes designs from Pinterest and they make the clothing and sell it.  Some girls who have visited the hostel before have started their own Etsy business with their clothing.  I even bought a few things myself that they made to fit me and had it for me within 4 hours.  One of the women now runs her own business and can do her own books!

The people he helps are from the slum areas of Jaipur.  He has three day cares where the children range from 3-6 or 7.  He sings with them and teaches them English.

He had done all of this in 4 years with no support from the government.  Everything he makes goes back into each project and whatever little money is left over goes towards his other project.  A school.  There is a building that he wants to buy and fix up so he can have the children from all 3 day cares bused to one school.  He take everything and gives it back to others... his wife teaching the women to sew and his 8 year old daughter helping where she can.   He buys all the schools supplies, gets used clothing, purchases sewing machines whenever he can.  He has no sponsors or government funding.  He doesn't have a website as he doesn't want to become famous, he just wants to help others as best he can.  He is an incredible man and very inspiring.  So inspiring I am going back for 10 days.  I will be in the day cares, 3 days at each.  I will be teaching the little ones English through games and songs.  He is not a teacher so I want to give him a template and some ideas for the classroom!  Also,  a dream of mine for a long time has been to start a school in the slums of India and teach English voluntarily.  When I walked in to the little day care I thought, this is literally my dream. The kids were just amazing, excited to learn, my heart melted and I was almost brought to tears.  Right then I knew I needed to stay.  I couldn't walk away from something like this.  So after talking to the owner I am going back for 10 days to work with the little ones and I will also be doing morning yoga classes at the hostel for free room and board.  I am so excited!!! This is literally a dream come true!


There was a really nice Dutch couple on the tour and we ended up going to a bar with them that night.  The owner took us, had a small sip of tequila and left.  We had a few drinks before they called last call at 11:45pm. 

While we sat enjoying our drinks we were invited by our neighbouring table to join in a celebration where they fed us cake.

Our cab ride home called us cheaters because he went the wrong way.  Here, you get a set price before you take a cab... but in this case it was an Uber.  He got turned around and then wanted more money and called us cheaters. 

First however, its a couple other cities with James before we split off for 12 days and then I am meeting him in Goa.  Yesterday we took a short 3 hour bus ride to Pushkar.  We took a sleeper bus - though we were in seats - and they are pretty awesome so I am going to take one back to Jaipur so I can sleep and have my own little space.

Again, our driver - this time being a tuk-tuk driver - tried getting more money out of us.  He took us to the wrong place and then when he dropped us off asked for more money because he went to the wrong place saying "you only told me what place you wanted to go after we went to the wrong one."  Clearly I didn't I wouldn't give the wrong name of a hostel for fun.  Ughh... man, I'm having to be tough here and its giving me bad vibes in my soul but sometimes you really need to be stern.....pfft.

Today and tomorrow we are going to explore....we are waiting for our Dutch friends to arrive as they are joining us here and we are also meeting up with a friend we met in Delhi.

More adventures await.

                                                      - My Beautiful Life -

Disconnected-Reconnecting-Mountain Meditation

Well I did it, I graduated from my Yoga course, I am certified to teach yoga, isn't that exciting?!?!

I'm not going to lie.  By the third week in my yoga course I was struggling.  I was struggling with myself.  I expected this huge life changing experience and having the best time of my life but I felt the opposite.  I felt disconnected not just from myself but from everyone, even Julie. Don't get me wrong we were close but I felt like I was missing something... I felt completely lack of emotions and I was really struggling with this.

I went through my days focused but didn't really want to be around anyone (unless it was Julie).

We graduated and I barely felt anything.  I didn't care about the party or taking group photos.  I didn't feel a bond with anyone and even though I had learned a lot and felt great physically it didn't really bother me that we were finished a parting ways.

Why was I feeling like this?

I was happy to be moving out of the school and into a hostel - different from where some of the other girls were staying.  I didn't want to hang out with them,  I really just wanted to be on my own and do my own thing and just be around other people.

I had met a few people during the time of my course so I was hanging out with them but other than that I was hanging out at cafe's and going to morning classes with some of the girls which I didn't mind.  We would go for lunch after class but I felt detached and felt awkward in a conversation. I was having negative responses to most things and I was holding on to them...even if it was something small.  For example... my two dorm mates were going to a yoga class that I was interested in.  They stated they had to leave early to get money exchanged and I said I would spot them as it was too early to exchange money.  Next thing I know they are gone!!!  They left without me, so I leave and head to the studio.  I see them at a a cafe so I stop.  "You left without me!"  "We waited downstairs for you but you took too long."  " You didn't tell me you were going downstairs to wait you just left.  It's kind of rude after I offered to pay for you."  I was annoyed but waited for them while they ordered and chatted a bit with one of the shop owners I know.  I look over, they were drinking their coffee there, we were already running late so I said I would see them there.   I start walking and not 5 minutes later they go by me on a motorbike!  Seriously?!?!  I looked at my watch... I wasn't going to make it on time and why show up and pay for them screw them.  So I turned around.  Just I started walking the shop owner I had just been speaking to pulled up on his bike, asked were I was going and offered me a lift!  Honestly, I feel safer on the motorbikes than I do walking the streets, it's very easy to get run over when you are on foot.

I thanked him for the ride and went up to the class and it was completely full...well I guess they still met karma.  One apologized to me the next day, I said it was rude and I just had no respect but it didnt really affect my life.  Though it had pissed me off for awhile!

I went through my days dully, not really being here or there or feeling happy or sad, just being present.

I spent Diwali with a friend, we went for dinner at a cafe and then went down to The Gangas to watch fire works.  A dog joined us for a bit and then left.  He then returned but you could tell the sounds of the fireworks were scaring him so I started petting him, he got up and curled into me and stayed with us the rest of the time.  He then walked me part way home.  It was a really nice night.  It was nice to be away from everyone else and be with someone who was separate from the school but I still felt a bit disconnected.

Another friend I had met out side of the school only got the negative side of me because I was just so on edge most of the time.

Even when Julie left I felt sad but I didn't feel the attachment I thought I would and it was really strange.

I did meet a wonderful woman at my hostel who I had an outing with.  We went around Rishikesh had lunch, looked for a bank that accepted my bank card (no luck) and went to a cafe.  We kept running into people that I knew and she thought it was funny "you have definitely been here awhile!" However, I still didn't feel like me.

All of this was feeling weird and uncomfortable so I was really looking forward to going North to the mountains.  Ellen (one of the girls from my class) and Sergio a guy from the hostel hopped on a 13 hour night bus and headed North.

It was a little frustrating when we got here as it is off season so everything is pretty much shut down but...I LOVE IT HERE!!!  I am finally feeling like me.  The view here is fantastic, it's quiet, I am able to do asana (yoga in the Western World) on the roof top patio with a mountainous view.  Great food, beer (hahah) and I can focus.  I have gotten so much work done and just come back into myself.

A few days ago I walked to the next town - Macleodgang - and had a wonderful day.  I wandered the streets going in and out of the shops.  I really wanted a Tibetan Singing Bowl and ended up in this shop where I spent an hour speaking to the owner.  He showed me different ways of using the singing bowls and then told me about a Guru who gave classes for sound healing.  So after a purchase and many methods of healing I went to the ashram and met with the guru and talked about doing a course with him - I am just not sure when yet.

I then went into a restaurant, Nick's Italian Restaurant, for some lunch and it was starting to rain.  I was asked to sit at a table with a woman who I ended up speaking with for an hour.  We had such a wonderful time!  We parted ways and I met up with David (met him at the hostel my second night) and we had Chai and then took his motor bike back up the mountain and then when for a drink at one of the cafe's.  I was waiting for the rain to let up as it had started again but to no avail.  So I decided I wasn't going to melt and walked back in the rain with no flashlight as my phone had died...but hey... I didn't melt.

Now, it is Sunday, I have been here for 9 days and I just finished a meditation course, Cultivating Mindfulness and Emotional Balance, at the well known meditation centre Tushita.  It was exactly what I needed and opened my awareness to a lot of things.  No, this wasn't a planned thing, in fact, it was last minute.  Two of the girls here said they were going to sign up for a meditation course and I asked to go with them.  I looked at the name of it and thought I could use some emotional balance, and signed up.

It was from 9am to 430pm Friday to Sunday.  A ten minute walk from the hostel and if I left early enough which I did day 2 and 3 I was able to get a cinnamon roll and a chai from the Himalayan Tea shop.  The whole day was done in silence which was amazing.  It was so nice enjoying the afternoon sun in silence listening to literally every sound around you.  By the third day, sounds that would usually annoy me didn't bother me at all - the sound of people eating, spoons clicking in metal bowls.  I heard monkeys moving around in the trees and as two birds flew over head I actually heard their wings!!! It was amazing.

I feel like what I was expecting at the school was what I got the past three days....meditation wise.  I have a better understanding of myself and how to work with situations.

During discussions I realized that as much as we are on this 3 day journey together are all on our own life journeys and here for different or similar reasons.  People come to India for .... enlightenment? I don't know but we all are trying to understand something and it was really beautiful.

I have a better understanding and foundation of meditation.  In fact, I was even able to clear my mind for a few seconds and sit in awareness,  I was so excited about this that internally I was shouting you've done it!!!  You became aware and are not paying attention to your thoughts...oh wait, these are thoughts..damn it! Now I...would you shut up!  Then I had to start again, but its okay, it was a stepping stone.  I really feel like I have come back to myself and feel really great!  It's really hard to explain the feeling.

As soon as it was over, the guy I had been sitting next to for the three days turned to me and said "I"m Fabrizio by the way."  I smiled.  You are with someone for three days but have no contact so it was nice to exchange words.

After a few of us went for dinner and had a nice time.  We are all meeting up at 7am for a yoga class.  Yup, 7.  The sign said 7 but when we called to make sure it was open he said 11, we asked for earlier and he said 9.  We said 7 was best so with a huffing breath he said "fine, you come at 7!"

I believe how I was feeling about everything was a challenge, a deliberate one from The Universe, wanting me to experience challenges and finding this course to help me understand more.  If I learned anything this year it was in Mexico as we all know how well that started for me.  No matter what The Universe throws at you, be excited for the outcomes ... and excited I am!!!

Mountain life has been good for me and I am so grateful for the challenges I experienced and what I have overcome to get to this point.

                                                    - My Beautiful Life -

__

Calmer

Namaste!

Each day is a challenge here, in more ways than one and as much as I want to get my next level...I'm glad I am only doing my 200 hours as I will definitely need a break for a little while.  My body is sore,  I'm exhausted and  sometimes I just want to scream.

The culture here is still something I am trying to wrap my brain around.  They are very passive here...if something doesn't get done they are like "oh well that's just the way it is, it will happen eventually." So when you are getting something fixed or need something done most of the time it won't be done when you ask, you may have to wait an extra day or two.  I get it, it's okay if things aren't done, and it is nothing to stress about ... and each day I'm working on not getting so uptight and being calmer about things but it is extremely frustrating sometimes.

Most teacher's don't seem to give much encouragement or care to .... they may make comments and call you out in class or make a comment about your injuries and honestly... 'it can be demoralizing.  I know this is my ego talking and that's what we are trying to stay away from but fuck....we are working our asses off.   We are pushing our bodies and minds every day.  Geez... I'm in the studio an hour and 15 minutes every morning before class starts and I go to yoga classes on our days off.  My body is being pushed to it's limit... I'm working on my flexibility, my strength as well as learning to work with (and hopefully heal as much as possible) the injuries - new and old - that I have acquired over my life...this includes my broken foot that doesn't seem to like to balance me very well.  Again, my ego talking but fuck... I have cried in three classes because of how I am pushing myself.

On my days off I enjoy myself instead of studying which probably isn't the greatest idea as I really needed to be studying but to be out and doing something besides yoga is a nice break.  Don't get me wrong...I love the course but it can take a toll mentally and physically...however my body does not like me taking a day off so I need to stretch or go to an (asana) class so it doesn't yell at me the next day.

Wednesday we have a half day off so our second Wednesday they took us to a temple on the mountain to watch the sunrise.  We left at 4am and took a bus up the windy mountain road.  It wasn't as bad as the road going up to Machu Picchu  but there were a few times my heart stopped...then I would feel Julie's hand on my lap and her say "it's fine, we are not gonna die." Can you guarantee this?!?

I of course sat in the window seat and watched the scenery go by.  Road workers live at the site.  They have shanti's that are literally tents covered with tarpaulin on the road.  You see them sitting around a fire heating up breakfast and getting warm.  The roads are narrow but the driver drove slow, he even had to back up at one point to let another vehicle pass ... I almost suggested I walk from there.  This is it, this is where it ends. But it didn't - obviously - or you wouldn't be reading this right now.

I have seen a lot of sunsets around the world but this was enchanting.  We climbed the wall on the outskirts of the temple and sat at the edge and watching as the sun rose over the foothills of the Himilayas.  It kissed the horizon and then it lit up the hills, the houses in the villages and the windy streets below. As soon as we saw a bit of light behind the foothills everyone fells silent and held their breath.  The 3:30 wake-up time and the near-heart attack drive was well worth the beauty that mother nature blesses us with.  I'm hoping to experience it again while I am here.

That same night they took us to a ceremony on The Ganges.  It was a lot of chanting and lot's of people.  Julie and I wandered around and then met some guys who seemed quite interested in hanging out with us.  "Do you want to go to the Mushroom Cafe?" one asked us.  We looked at each other "umm, we are here studying and we have a curfew."  They laughed at us.  "It's not that type of cafe, that's just the name."  We got their contact info to meet them on Sunday but it didn't happen.

Sunday we have a full day off so I got up early and went to a Hatha Yoga class at 8 am... everyone else of course was sleeping but I wanted to see what a class was like and I wanted to keep working on my strength.  It was just me and another guy in the class.  We ended up going for breakfast after class and just talking about yoga and travel.  We made plans for Wednesday (which we have a half day off) to go to The Beatles Ashram.

I dressed for the occasion.

I am so glad we went.  We had so much fun and the place is huge.  I thought it was just one building but it's acres and acres of land ...when ever we got to one spot we saw more buildings...and one of the greatest things is that you get to go through the buildings, walk through the halls, walk up the staircases, look out the windows...it's really amazing.   I would love to go back in tie and walk through it when it was in it's prime because it was probably incredible. Even though most of the place still stands there is not one thing that shows there were ever people there...there is not one piece of furniture, cup, blanket or anything to show that there was ever life - other than all the graffiti art.

We spent hours there taking pictures, enjoying the view and climbing staircases, going into rooms, going on the roofs and anywhere else we could get to. Walking through their (The Beatles) bungalow was pretty cool...to be where they once walked and played music was awesome.

I believe the whole White Album was written there and a few of their other songs as well - look at the top of the door frame in the photo.  There are also a few other musicians who spent time there (with the Beatles) who wrote a song or two as well.  It is really interesting to learn about the background to their songs and where their inspiration came from.  If you want to read about it please click here this will take you to the Wikipedia page.

The whole place is falling apart but just like the rest of the dereliction in India it's beautiful with such a great vibe and energy running through it.  I would highly recommend it to anyone planning to come to Rishikesh and so glad I spent my time off here.

My days are filled with classes.  I've been working hard and it is paying off.  We are now coming to the end of our course and I am physically able to do things I couldn't do four weeks ago.  My alignment teacher has helped  me work with my injuries and strengthen other area's. It's amazing and I feel great.  My body is achy but I am really happy with my progress and as much as I am looking forward to being finished I am sad at the same time.  You go through a lot with the people you are here with.  Tears, physical and mental struggles, study sessions, lesson preparation and being a support group for each other.  It's become my home ... yes lol even though it wasn't what I expected I have become quite comfortable...especially since my roommate left (she had to go back to work)  I have taken over my room and taken advantage of having my own space.  I am actually in my "loner" mode right now.  I have kind of separated myself but only because I am feeling quiet and getting focused.

I have become close with one of the girls (Julie) - for those of you that follow my SnapChat she is the one that is usually in my stories.  We have a tendency to be in our own world on our days off.  We have met a few people outside of the school on our outings.  Trent from Australia, Joe from the states who has helped us with Philosophy,  Will from my Hatha Yoga class and Surya who is here studying Yoga Philosophy so he has helped us as well.  We met him on Sunday.  One of the teachers I met in Delhi was here so we met up and he was with them .  There were 5 Canadians in total and Julie who is from Norway.  There are so many Canadians here it's amazing lol...not that I am complaining...they are all so polite :).

Sunday when we met Justine (my friend I met in Delhi), one of the guys with her and her friends joined me and Julie to wander the streets and then to get our tattoos...yup I got my fingers done and we have another appointment for this coming Saturday.

After we went to a cafe we went to another one for dinner and met up with Justine and the others which is where we met Surya.  It's been nice meeting people outside of the school, it's refreshing and just a change.

Now I sit at the Tree House Cafe.   A cafe built up around a tree.  The floor shakes when you walk on it but it's bright and sunny.  Everything is bamboo with open walls, cushions around the tables and a chill vibe.  It's my "me day." I am going to have a nice lunch and do some studying as our final exam is on Friday.  I already had my practical on Sunday ( I taught a class.)  I believe Julie is meeting up with me (of course) lol she took some time to go take some pictures.

Well, I know this wasn't over the top exciting but there are many adventures coming I promise and for those of you who don't already... please click my follow button for SnapChat as I snap mostly every day and take my viewers to places such as The Beatles Ashram.

I am feeling calmer and more relaxed though I really do miss Mexico but know this is where I am supposed to be in my life right now and I am okay with this... I need to be here right now.   I am still working on some things but everything takes time - like the confusion I have here and being in a place where others don't respect your personal time and space.  Learning to breath and accepting it.  It's challenging and I am getting better not going off like a fire cracker but  I know I will get there.  I physically (other than being sore) feel great and mentally I am beginning to feel more balanced...the real challenge will be how I feel once I leave and apply what I have learned to my every day life.

Till next time.

                                                                   - My Beautiful Life -

A Way of Life

Namaste,

I think it's starting to kick in that I am in India...maybe not fully but it is definitely kicking in.  When I sit in the studio listening to my amazing teachers talk I look out the windows at the beautiful landscape and think... WOW!  Do you realize where you are?  How long you planned this and looked at this place and the pictures on the internet.  Can you believe you're actually got here?  I'm a little mind blown about the situation.

It took almost 9 hours for me to get here.  The bus was on time but it fell behind in travel time due to bad roads and traffic - which to me,  if they know this because it's always chaotic, they should tell you 7 hours instead of 6.  However I quite enjoyed the journey...I actually really like bus rides.  I pop in my music and look out the window and watch the scenery whiz by me and just take the time  to think and not really talk to others...even if I am with someone; which I was - I was with one of the workers from the hostel (thank goodness) so it made my life easier and not as stressful.  I was already a bit stressed about being late and then getting myself to the ashram.  Badu had been in contact with the ashram and told me not to worry he had made sure they were coming to get me at a meeting point.   I watched the organized chaos rush by me for the whole 7 hour journey,  I watched as men worked in run down garages, children play on dirty pavement.  I saw long, run down concrete buildings with 5 doors along the front...some of them opening into what looked like a concrete room and a bed. More cows, tuk tuks, traffic and so much more ...it's hard to explain.  I tried to wrap my brain around everything but even after 7 hours of watching all of this and taking it all in I still can't make sense of any of it.   The horn of the bus was another thing...I smiled every time the driver used it and in India, they don't use their blinkers, the lines on the roads and they don't have many traffic lights so they just constantly use their horns which just becomes background noise after awhile but the buses horn was something else.  Have you ever heard the horn on a clown car?  That's the best way I can explain it lol...it totally added to the senseless organized chaos surrounding us.

We arrived at the bus terminal just after 8 and we took a tuk tuk to...well I honestly don't know where but Badu knew where we were going.  The traffic seems just as bad or possibly even worse.  For those of you that don't know what a tuk tuk is its a three wheeler with a small cabin on it ...they are motorized but don't go as fast as cars and wouldn't say they are the safest form of transportation.

I was so glad Badu was with me.  I was a bit stressed when we were waiting at the side of the road by a bridge.  People coming up to us and staring at me, I was still just getting my feet wet here and as mentioned earlier wasn't sure how to take everything yet.  The ashram kept calling saying they were sending someone which made me extremely happy, until I saw was my mode of transportation was.  A fucking two wheeler...better known as a motorbike! Are you kidding me?!? I don't want to die before I even arrive to the ashram. Me, my 80 litre backpack, my computer backpack and my purse got as comfortable as we could on the bike and we were off (after I thank Badu of course). We weaved in and out of traffic and people, we zoomed around corners, up a hill, past cows and dogs over broken road...IT WAS FUCKING FUN AS HELL!!! I actually felt more safe on the bike than I did with any other transportation.

It was strange when I walked in.  I was told to sit on the couch by someone who was clearly a teacher of the ahsram - and has become one of my favourites.  "Sit here and relax." Was all he said.  "Drink some water." They brought me a stainless steel cup filled with water.  "Just relax." He repeated.  " I am totally relaxed." was my response but I clearly wasn't.  He had an odd, calm smile on his face and he just kept staring at me.  "He asked if I was hungry."  "Very."  He took me to a big outside area that was covered with a corrugated roof surround by netting (against bugs) and told me to sit (pretty much in the dark) while he prepared me tea, an apple and toast with jam - the jam here is awesome!

The ashram is in an old hotel and it hasn't been updated so it's much different than what it looks like in the nicely filtered pictures on their website.  The room was much smaller and not as bright as it looked online, and the doors have these huge bolts on them which stick if you don't pull strong enough and they make a huge squeaking noise when you are locking and unlocking.  It is so loud I can actually here when the girls on either side of my room are leaving or coming back.   I wouldn't say it's run down, in fact in the past 11 days it's actually become home to me and I love getting into my bed at the end of the night and snuggling in or just talking with my roommate...who is awesome.  She is Indian so she goes over things from philosophy class that I may not have understood and explains Indian history and understands Sanskrit which we are learning...it's not easy.

After two days of being here it already felt like we had been here a few weeks.  We all bonded so well and we had already taken in so much information it felt like I had been in class for 11 days not 2.

The course is great...it's intense, there is a lot of information and the Sanskrit is challenging but I am learning so much.  We have a 13 hour day.  Our first class starts at 6:15am,  Hatha Yoga - which is what I am very keen on and one of the main reasons I chose this school - which is getting much more intense and giving us a challenging work out first thing in the morning.  Our Ashtanga Vinyasa class is very challenging and is pushing me physically.  Our alignment class is also challenging...doing a pose properly is extremely challenging and makes them that much more effective but definitely not as relaxing as I thought many of them were until now.  This class is working me hard and so is the teacher.  He is fantastic, inspiring, smart, brilliant, worldly and caring.  When he talks we surround him and look at him like he is Santa Claus lol we all like him so much.  He was adjusting/aligning me today and tears all of a sudden filled my eyes.   These weren't tears out of pain, or frustration but just from working my ass off, learning what I'm learning, realizing where I am, pushing myself, improving myself mentally and physically and really just the true love I feel for being able to train with such an incredible person.  I have the biggest smile on my face when I see him or when I am in his class.  He also gives us the chance to work in groups and correct, align and teach each other which is fantastic and made me realize that I could do this.  I wasn't sure I would want to teach yoga, I was taking it to have a deeper meaning in it and have a better personal practice but I have realized that I really enjoy teaching others and that I am good at it too.  My friend told me that she thinks I am going to be a really good teacher and that she is learning from me.

Everyone in my class is great and we all bonded very quickly though I have really bonded with Julie (from Norway) we pretty much stick together for everything which includes shopping, eating, sitting next to each other in theory classes, studying sessions at the cafe - there is an awesome cafe on a rooftop the next street over in yoga village (which is where we live) and it's made out of bamboo - and early morning practices.  Well, we have tried early morning practices but the first morning I was late and today Julie slept in so I practiced by myself at 5:30am...back strengthening.  Early yes but we really don't have a lot of time to practice so early morning is the best time.

Sunday which was our day off her, Me and Ellen (a Canadian) walked around all day shopping - I did most of the shopping, wandering the streets and having a fabulously delicious lunch at the Beetles Cafe...yes the band...they came to Rishikesh back in the day and stayed at an ashram so this cafe is in honour of that.  It has an amazing view over looking The Ganga...not The Gangee, The Ganga. It's
literally a 5 minute walk from the ashram.  It's pretty awesome here!  Small little streets filled with shops and cafe's...you can literally buy everything here, clothes...amazing clothes, jewelry, food, vitamins, yogic instruments, bags, rugs, pillows, yoga mats and props...it is endless and cheap...it's easy for me to spend...but I have become really good at bartering.  I bought this bag/purse - no I didn't need another one but it said my name when I saw it so I figured it wanted to come live with me - it was originally 2,500 rupees so about $45.  I talked him down to 800 rupees so around $18.  It had a flaw so he had knocked it down to 1,500 rupees but when he opened it the lining was ripped badly, he dropped it down to 100 but I said no way less so he did and I bought and love it very much.

Day by day it's sinking in more and more that I am here.  The more information I get, the deeper my friendships become and the more sore by body becomes sore I am realizing where I am how far I have traveled and the changes I have gone through and am still going through being here.

Physically even though I am sore as hell and can barely move my arms, my back is feeling straighter and more opened in the shoulders, I am feeling healthy and clean...I have actually become a vegetarian as they put us on an ayurvedic diet.  Meet is banned here and so is alcohol so even when we are finished the course and stay we don't have access to these things and to be honest I'm a little afraid to get sick from eating meat and I really don't miss it as the food here is so good and filling.  Plus, the cows are really nice.  Remember I said there are random cows in India, well here they are everywhere they even cause traffic jams on the bridges here.  They are just as friendly and loving as dogs, we make friends with them...well, Julie does,  I tell her she is an animal whisperer. She pets every animal she sees and then they follow her, and me, I get to watch the bonding and then accidentally step in a big pile of cow poop!

There are also monkeys.  They come around the ashram.  They are on our balconies, they run across the roof of the studio and they even come into the studio.  We had one come in during mantra class and our teacher said "they try to get their certificate each month but it's no use."  The other day in alignment class one put both his hands up against the glass and looked in the window, when our teacher told him to go away the monkey pulled back, looked at him and then frowned....lol they are funny but from a distance.

If I have learned anything, its not just the physical classes and mental effect of yoga, it is actually a lifestyle, there is so much more to it than that.  We can heal ourselves, with alignment, adjustment, meditation, and eating techniques...just because you don't have time to go to a class it doesn't mean you don't have time for yoga because it's so much more than that and unfortunately Western Yoga is different than Yoga here but I am hoping to spread some of my knowledge and experience elsewhere. For now though, I am going to sleep, I am extremely sore and tired and tomorrow we are leaving here at 4am to go to a temple on the mountain for sunrise.  Until next time everyone.  Shanti (peace).

                                                        - My Beautiful Life -