12 hours in a bus from Dharamsala
18 hour layover in Delhi
9 hr flight from Delhi to brussels
2 hr layover
8.5 hr flight from Brussels to Philly
4 hr layover
6 hr flight to Sacramento
= 59 hours of travel.....
I have 7 hours to go!
I arrived in Philly with 6 hours of sleep in 3 days, definitely culture shock, but a fiercely positive attitude. It's sure been interesting...
I left the parched, ancient and depleted soils of India, and felt my heart squeeze as I said Goodbye out the plane window to a land of color, celebration, and chaos. It happened. I fell in Love with India. And one day, I will return.
Flying into the US took me by surprise. The first thing I noticed was the haze of pollution, and I realized... Ugh. It's everywhere. Then I deboarded the plane... First impressions? Drab. Grey and white; grey and white. Uniforms; regulations; grey and white. BUT, I also noticed smiles. The customs agents; immigration officers; and security ALL had a jovial and lightheartedness that I realize was not common in a country heavy with burden. Sarcasm; wit; conversation; happy... Warm. Americans may not have much of a culture we call out own, but I realize that humor, joy and play ARE aspects of our culture that aren't as common in some other countries. Not in the lighthearted way in which I am seeing people play now. Exciting to have a new perspective on my own country. As the days unfold, new impressions will come. Perhaps I will keep blogging....;-)
It's only been a few hours, I'm tired, and in some ways I miss India... But it feels good to be home.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
A fond farewell
Well the time has flown.... And in two days I begin the journey "home", to the USA. For the last three months, I have had the blessing of making these Himalayan mountains my home.... It has been wonderful. I have done many hours of yoga and meditation; made beautiful friends from all over the world; eaten many chapatis; pet many cows and goats; exchanged smiles with red cloaked monks; sung bhajans; played in the rain; eaten mangos; and thoroughly enjoyed this precious experience in another culture. I love India.
And....
I'm ready to go home. I miss nutritious organic food; green veggies and dark chocolate. I miss clean toilets with toilet paper; cars that don't honk their horns; and men who ignore me when I walk by. I miss fresh air, and earth without garbage on it. I miss my boyfriend.... Friends and family.
On Monday, I take a bus to Delhi through the night. I arrive in the morning and spend the day in Delhi and then fly out on Tuesday night. I fly for about 32 hours, with a relatively quick stop in Belgium so I can grab some waffles... Then I arrive into Sacramento wednesday night, approximately 12 hours in the past. Whew! Long journey.
I am so thankful for this rich time, for it has truly been an adventure both within and without. Thank you all for coming along with me!
Goodbye Asia!!! I love you!!
And....
I'm ready to go home. I miss nutritious organic food; green veggies and dark chocolate. I miss clean toilets with toilet paper; cars that don't honk their horns; and men who ignore me when I walk by. I miss fresh air, and earth without garbage on it. I miss my boyfriend.... Friends and family.
On Monday, I take a bus to Delhi through the night. I arrive in the morning and spend the day in Delhi and then fly out on Tuesday night. I fly for about 32 hours, with a relatively quick stop in Belgium so I can grab some waffles... Then I arrive into Sacramento wednesday night, approximately 12 hours in the past. Whew! Long journey.
I am so thankful for this rich time, for it has truly been an adventure both within and without. Thank you all for coming along with me!
Goodbye Asia!!! I love you!!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Misty Mountains
Blog:
Down to the last two weeks of this 6 month adventure... How fast time has gone. It has been such a rich and deep adventure, both inside and outside. I had planned to spend these last two weeks up in Laddack, but have had a change of plan. As much as I would love to see those rugged mountain peaks, I feel compelled to stay here in dharamsala. I have a stronger desire to stay put and not travel. I'm quite happy here... It's beautiful, I have community, everything is familiar, and I am still studying yoga at the iyengar center. I enjoy the place I stay, and all feels well (perhaps it is a deeper part of me who is ready to stop traveling and root down a bit).
The rains have finally come.. We had a teaser a couple weeks ago, and then sunshine after (not complaining). Yesterday, it rained all day and today too. The mountains are shrouded in mystical fog and look far steeper than they did before. It's stunning. I haven't been able to capture it on camera.. Sorry! For those of you familiar with Maui, it looks like the Iao Valley. Those lush green peaks surrounded by eternal mists...
The iyengar yoga still continues to amaze me, and I am finding continuing depth in it in all of my bodies.
I am scheduled to enjoy an ayurvedic massage today... Ah, yes, I remember those good ole days of having a massage everyday... Why did I ever stop that?!
Well, most of you I will see very soon... Happy July 4th! May you all know the freedom that is inherently yours... Your birthright... It is who you are...
Down to the last two weeks of this 6 month adventure... How fast time has gone. It has been such a rich and deep adventure, both inside and outside. I had planned to spend these last two weeks up in Laddack, but have had a change of plan. As much as I would love to see those rugged mountain peaks, I feel compelled to stay here in dharamsala. I have a stronger desire to stay put and not travel. I'm quite happy here... It's beautiful, I have community, everything is familiar, and I am still studying yoga at the iyengar center. I enjoy the place I stay, and all feels well (perhaps it is a deeper part of me who is ready to stop traveling and root down a bit).
The rains have finally come.. We had a teaser a couple weeks ago, and then sunshine after (not complaining). Yesterday, it rained all day and today too. The mountains are shrouded in mystical fog and look far steeper than they did before. It's stunning. I haven't been able to capture it on camera.. Sorry! For those of you familiar with Maui, it looks like the Iao Valley. Those lush green peaks surrounded by eternal mists...
The iyengar yoga still continues to amaze me, and I am finding continuing depth in it in all of my bodies.
I am scheduled to enjoy an ayurvedic massage today... Ah, yes, I remember those good ole days of having a massage everyday... Why did I ever stop that?!
Well, most of you I will see very soon... Happy July 4th! May you all know the freedom that is inherently yours... Your birthright... It is who you are...
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Palums
A couple of girls were walking down the path eating juicy looking purple fruits. I asked what they were and they said, "palums". OK, Palum... I decided to keep my eyes open to find these exotic fruits so I could try one. A few days later I saw a boy selling strange palums. He gave one to me and at once I felt silly, knowing exactly what they were... Plums! Ha! Palums...
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Triund trekking
Blog
After 2 1/2 months, I finally got around to hiking Triund today. It's the typical tourist trail, which everybody hikes when they come here. As much as I love to hike, im surprised I waited so long.. But the time was right. I had the day off from yoga and the sun was shining and not a cloud in the sky; so I seized the moment and hit the trail. I picked up a furry mutt along the way and coaxed him to come with me (Er maybe he coaxed me into letting him come... He was quite willing!). The "4 hr hike" up, took only 2 hours.. And we arrived just as the clouds rolled in, literally, within minutes of seeing the view. It's very beautiful with snow capped jagged peaks glaring down from Himalayan heights. I hiked around the top for a little while, surprised that the ground was very earthy.. not so rocky. The grass was short and very soft and it felt good on bare feet. Strange to me as the grass is so stiff around most parts of the lower areas. Not something I like to sit on. The grass was all freshly mowed from the local mountain top dwelling cows and horses.
There are some small tarped "restaurants", and I got a hot meal for myself and one for my four legged friend, and we ate together admiring the view. Then the rain came. About 10 people and 6 dogs huddled up in a 6x6 shelter (the restaurant), and waited while the thunder ripped through the air around us and the rain fell. After a short time I decided to brave it. I had a suspicion that it was only going to get worse; so I threw on some layers, popped the umbrella, and started down. It sprinkled the whole way, but wasn't too bad. I sang most of the way down as I merrily made made way back to town.
I love these incredible mountains, and all the magic they hold... These luscious green hills in the prime of their youth. What splendor of nature...
And it's still raining..
After 2 1/2 months, I finally got around to hiking Triund today. It's the typical tourist trail, which everybody hikes when they come here. As much as I love to hike, im surprised I waited so long.. But the time was right. I had the day off from yoga and the sun was shining and not a cloud in the sky; so I seized the moment and hit the trail. I picked up a furry mutt along the way and coaxed him to come with me (Er maybe he coaxed me into letting him come... He was quite willing!). The "4 hr hike" up, took only 2 hours.. And we arrived just as the clouds rolled in, literally, within minutes of seeing the view. It's very beautiful with snow capped jagged peaks glaring down from Himalayan heights. I hiked around the top for a little while, surprised that the ground was very earthy.. not so rocky. The grass was short and very soft and it felt good on bare feet. Strange to me as the grass is so stiff around most parts of the lower areas. Not something I like to sit on. The grass was all freshly mowed from the local mountain top dwelling cows and horses.
There are some small tarped "restaurants", and I got a hot meal for myself and one for my four legged friend, and we ate together admiring the view. Then the rain came. About 10 people and 6 dogs huddled up in a 6x6 shelter (the restaurant), and waited while the thunder ripped through the air around us and the rain fell. After a short time I decided to brave it. I had a suspicion that it was only going to get worse; so I threw on some layers, popped the umbrella, and started down. It sprinkled the whole way, but wasn't too bad. I sang most of the way down as I merrily made made way back to town.
I love these incredible mountains, and all the magic they hold... These luscious green hills in the prime of their youth. What splendor of nature...
And it's still raining..
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