This is the End....

I have that Doors song stuck in my head:)
So I'm in Mumbai and its my last day here in India. These 9 weeks FLEW by and I really don't want to come back to reality. Its so refreshing not having to worry about things for a while but now I'm flooded with thoughts of my next steps. I feel re-energized. This is what I needed. I thought I'd go away and by the end have it all figured out but what I'm leaving with is that I will never be afraid to make changes. I always do what I say I'm going to do, it just takes me some time. No more. Its a waste. If you are unhappy make a move, if you are bored do something out of your comfort zone. Shake it up a little. This is the only way we can grow as people and learn more about ourselves and what were made of. This trip taught me I'm not alone, its ok to be who I am, I'm not changing, even if some people think I move through life a bit crazy, its just different from what they're used to. I am me and you are you. The world would be quite boring if we were all the same wouldn't it?? Adventure will be an ongoing part of my life, as its always been. See you all soon. LOVE

Its Raining its Pouring!

So I am in Kerala which is in southern India and monsoon season has started. Its rained every day so far but its so beautiful! And since moving to California I don't get to enjoy any thunderstorms so its been a treat. We are staying at the Somatheeram Resort which is an Ayurvedic Spa. The massgaes are like nothing I have ever experienced in my life! They last 2 hours, everyday by the way, you are in your birthday suit (yes, I got over that one quickly), you first sit on a stool and you get a head massage by one woman, then another comes in and both sides of your body get massaged at the same time. Then you lie down on a mat and there is a towel hanging from the ceiling made into a loop-one woman holds on and massages your entire body with her feet. Its amazing! Then you get up on the table and are double massaged again. I have never been so spoiled, I kind of feel guilty. Then the last 40 min you either get a facial, steam bath, or Shirodarah (oil pouring on forehead). This place is great to come and relax. There is yoga every day, Sivananda style, food is great and we have a view of the beach from our front door. The sun has been out a little bit so we hit the pool those few hours. Its been a nice treat greatly needed. India is a hard place to travel, its not like I've been sitting on the beach enjoying margaritas this whole time :) But I will return for sure. The adventure is coming to an end. I have a week left before I visit my family in NJ. Its bittersweet.

Mumbai

I'm here in Mumbai staying with my friend Shruti and her fiance Shashank. Its so nice to be here and to finally meet him! They are to marry here in October. They are such a cute couple (barf:)) Its super hot here, you almost don't want to do anything. Its an interesting place-so much cleaner than Delhi and more cityish. I finally saw the Arabian Sea!! They live in a colony where most everyone is related. They are Konkany, part of the Brahman class. Crazy huh? They still have castes here. So I've been indulging in the foods of India and part of me can't wait to get back to the states so I can have a big fat salad!!!!! At 5 am Shruti and I are leaving for Kerala which is down south. We are going to an Ayurvedic spa to chill. I feel like I need to be pampered a bit before returning home so this is perfect. The only thing is the price for 7 days is what I spent in a whole month here but it will be rejuvenating and we both need it. So I'll be back in Mumbai next Sat night and will give you an update then!!
Peace out

I hate Delhi!!!

So I've been in New Delhi for 2 1/2 days and I leave for Mumbai tomorrow am to meet Shruti! I don't like Delhi at all. It is way too hot, chaotic, dusty, noisy etc. The hotel I stayed in my first night-lets just say there were bugs in my bed, not bedbugs but ones the size of my thumbnail. I tried to stay awake all night till the sun came up so its would be safe to switch hotels so 5:30am I made a mad dash into another place. I'm splurging on myself paying 900 rupees per night vs the 400 with bugs. I was picked up at 6am by the tour bus to visit Agra, the home of the Taj Mahal. I was the only "whitie" on the tour but by the end I was BFF's with everyone. They love Americans here but it gets tiring with all the small talk, shaking hands and pictures. There were these 3 boys who looked out for me, it was nice. I suffered heat exhaustion yesterday along with my delhi belly. It was tough-it was supposed to take 4 hours to Agra so really it was 6 there and like 8 back! So I got home at 4am today! We went to the Red Fort, Taj, Mathura where Krishna was born and Vrindavan where he grew up. I'm off tomorrow and can't wait to see Shruti!!! Its coming to the last few weeks of my trip and I wish I had more money to stay traveling longer-maybe onto Thailand! Maybe next time :)

On the Move..

So I left my comfort zone, my little group of friends I've been with for the past few weeks. My last day a bunch of us went trekking to these waterfalls-it was nice, they were a bit small but there were these huge rocks and pools of water but the water was a bit too cold to swim in. Then we met later for a farewell dinner. I've met so many awesome people on this trip I'm lucky. So anyway I decided to leave Dharamsala and go to Amritsar in Punjab. Its chaos here but 2 steps above New Delhi! Very different from Dharamsala. I am staying at the Golden Temple which is a gorgeous Sikh temple made of gold...duh. It is run by volunteers and free food is the staple of any Sikh temple. I had lunch yesterday at this place in the Lonely Planet guide and met this woman named Rain. We wound up hanging out the whole day. We volunteered in the kitchen and made chapatis with the Indian women. It was so much fun. I actually rolled dough and got pretty good at it by the end! Then we enjoyed the food and helped wash dishes after. We did our seva thats for sure! The temple is sooo beautiful, especially at night. Its mesmorizing and so peaceful its eerie. I highly recommend coming here! Today I went to the India/Pakistan border-they have this celebration every night upon closing the border. There are a few hunrdred or so people, dancing and singing and the guards have their fun with each other. Its a show for sure..very interesting I'll tell you!! I leave 4 am for Delhi..till then...Peace out...

I'm back!! Did you miss me??

I don't mean I'm back from India-I just got out of a 10 day Buddhist Retreat. It was so needed. My senses were on overload and I needed a silence break. We had 1 hour a day to discuss the teachings and the rest was silence..but you know how girls are so around the 6 th day we started gabbing a bit at night. I mean I slept in a dorm with 8 other girls!!! We ranged from 24 years old to 51. What an experience. I learned alot! Wow I had many misperceptions about the practice. And its so cool to meet people going through the same thing you are-what to do with your life, where to live, how to make money and still have freedom to travel etc. And it was so sweet. My friends from Rishikesh who are here as well came to "pick me up" from the retreat the last day. I felt like I was a kid being picked up from camp by my parents. It was really sweet. I love these people. I am in Dharamkot, in the mountains. I plan to be here a few more days then head to Amritsar to see the Golden Temple. Lets see how I get back to society here...its pretty chaotic!
xoxoxo

Dharamsala

Its Friday night and I just left a place called Learning and Ideas for Tibet. They had a pizza and movie night where they showed 3 docs on Tibetan refugees and it was extremely sad. We met a guy 2 days ago who weve met with twice to convers about his life and he says how hard it is. He hasn't seen his family in 4 years now. I plan to go back on Monday and volunteer to help refugees learn some English. I am staying here with my friends Blair and Aaron who I met in Rishikesh. We are all sharing a room staying in Mcleod Ganj but plan to go up the hill to Bhagsu Sunday. We all volunteered yesterday to take these Tibetan babies to temple for a few hours. There is a free daycare for these children provided for parents who need to work who can't afford daycare. My baby's name was Keysung-I thought it was a boy till I changed the diaper!! She was so cute-and clapped and blew kisses to all the shoipkeepers on our way to temple. We were not allowed to take pictures for safety but in a few days there should be pics on their website. I'll forward it to you guys. They had their own photog doing that for us.
The weather here is much nicer than Rishikesh, not hot, a bit rainy and were in the mountains. I've decided to do this Intro to Buddhism 8 or 10 day course so I will try to write beforehand. I won't be able to speak for the duration so no internet either. Hope you're all well. Experience supercedes anything else.... xoxo

Sad to go...

OK so most of the pilgrims have left Rishikesh and its much more peaceful now. BUT I'm leaving for Dharamsala tomorrow at 6am with 2 peeps from my Trika yoga class. We are going in style in an AC car...one of the guys is a little prissy and it was his idea:) So I'm sad to leave here becasue I could really immerse myself in study for alot longer. I haven't been too focused on the yoga. I wanted to come here and not HAVE to do anything which has been opposite of all the other people I've met. And the yoga-its all about bhakti yoga. I'm a bit embarassed as to how yoga is in the states. The asanas are all we focus on in class. Yes I go to plenty of kirtans and try and live by the 8 limbs but these can be greatly perfected, especially on my part as a yoga teacher. I mean the kriyas that people do here take a few hours each morning. Kriyas are cleansing techniques. I tried one, call Vomita Dhauti, you can guess what that is...and I did a mini Shanka something.. I'll explain in person. People here are hard core in India to change, to transform. Its really cool to see. I've met so many great people and lots of crazies too. I've had some stalkers but its all a learning curve. The first time you travel alone is a pretty big deal but now, only after 3 weeks, I feel it could be a normal practice. The like-mindedness of all the people Ive bonded with is awesome. I love the freedom and its something you rarely get to feel because we all get so caught up in our own bullshit....So I am on my way to say goodbye to my Rishikesh boyfriend I guess you can say...and to say goodbye to Rishikesh...for now... because I will return. Until Dharamsala! Peace and Love xoxoxo

Kumba Mela

Getting up at 3am to start heading down to Haridwar was just the beginning! Myself, Nadine, Brian, Stephen, Aaron and Rob took a cab to the train station, train to Haridwar, then you walk a few miles to get into where the bathing ghats are. For those of you who don't know the Kumba Mela happens here every 12 years!! So its a big deal. Imagine the whole country, not joking, the whole country coming to Rishikesh and Haridwar to bathe in the Ganges River on this day. It was insane, insane, insane. We experienced one of the holiest days here and were very lucky...Naked sadhu's, holding onto chains in the Ganges so the current doesn't pull you away, crowds of people asking for our pictures and shaking our hands, so many the cops had to shoe them away....the train was a scene out of Indiana Jones. People hanging out the sides, on the roof, glued to the front of the train. Can't wait to show you pics! Hari om!!

Adventure!

Hello all!
So I have lil' story. For those of you who know me well you know I have had really bad luck with cameras, I mean its almost freaky. I am on my fifth camera in about 5 years. They either get lost, stolen or broken. So my new friend Ritchie and I went to find these waterfalls in Laksman Jhula. Now we wanted to go to ones we heard about off the beaten path. Its so crazy busy here because of Kumba Mela that there are literally millions of pilgrims here. You can say its the best time and worst time to be here. Typical India with the dichotomy. So we get to this pool of water (no waterfall) and we see 2 lil boys swimming so we joined them. I took some pictures of them and showed them pics of themselves I mean they probably never saw a camera! Then a third boy comes and jumps in and he gets a bit annoying splashing us and stuff. All of a sudden they all get out and start running. Ritchie knew something was up and asked where my camera was.. they stole it and ran!! Ritchie starts running after them, I gather our things and start down the 2 mile road we climbed to get here. I ask this man at an ashram if he saw 3 Indian boys and a white dude running-he pointed in their direction. I find Ritch with 2 older men and we asked some questions, found these other kids and got one name of one of the boys.We started running in and out of the villages trying to sneak around and find the boys. We caught a glimpse of them and they ran into the main area where we'd never find em'. We went to the cops. Ritchie jumps on the back of the cops motorcycle to go searching....no luck. We however had the name of the school they attended. The next day we go to the school with the policeman. Deepak never showed up for class....so the cop told us to come back later in the afternoon. After Prem Baba's last satsang :( we went to the station and he tells us this whole story of how he got the camera after he beat one of the boys with a stick!!!! He was so proud of his accomplishment I can't tell you. I got my camera back!!! I am hoping this breaks my bad camera karma...even though I don't like the stick beating part, but I used to get the belt...

End of Week 2!

So I know I haven't written in a bit but I have been stuck indoors for a while with a bad stomach. I get a few hours where I feel ok so then I walk around the markets and such. AND I went to an astrologer-a really good one that everyone sees out here. He said some interesting things and I've been in a funk since. I'm going back next Fri to get some clarity then I will tell you what he said...so be patient!! Rishikesh is chaos in one word and I'm needing some quiet. I am looking to head north for a bit then back through Delhi then Mumbai to meet Shruti...can't wait to meet her fiance!! So my schedule has been lecture/yoga 8-10. Yoga 4-6. Lecture 6:30-8. The yoga is completley different than what I am used too but its good to change things up and not be so hard on my body. I feel kinda lazy actually. I met another girl from LA yesterday! Were staying at the same place too. Crazy!! In between I eat with friends I just met at the time, walk around, there are lots of nooks and crannies to investigate. Its kinda like Venice Italy but not, same same but different....:)
That's what every Indian says out here its hysterical, they sell T-shirts with that saying. Maybe I'll get my dad one:)

Hard to be Alone

Don't misinterpret my heading. What I mean is I am TRYING to be alone and can't. I have a booming social life, yoga life and feel like I am busy as hell. When I try and go eat alone someone always trys to talk to you...lonely travelers I guess..And I have been asked to dinner multiple times-is this travelers dating??? Weird. Its like Im back in college and we are all staying in dorms leaving notes for each other in our doors,and what have you, its kinda fun:)
I saw the Dalai Lama (love him!) yesterday for aarti, blessings last night and saw him today-he was speaking on behalf of the Encyclopedia Launch happening this weekend-all religions are now compiled into these books-all the facts. Took 22 years to write with all the top scholras and religious guru's..
I visited the Beatles ashram today with this girl Steph I met from Canada..it was a little haunting but I stood where the White album was written-how cool is that?
Having a great time-not enought time do do everything though...I have 2 more weeks of Trika then I may go to an ashram for a week to get out of the madness!
And I saw the Sivananda ashram tonight-its so huge...that was my first yoga training back in NJ an my favorite thus far.

Night Night

Am I a contestant on Survivor???

Really the past 48 hours I have almost been attacked by a pack of dogs, hit by a motorcycle, got yelled at for holding my flip flops...Ill explain.
I was in bed the past 24 hours with Delhi Belly (diarrea)and a pain in my belly like someone was punching me in the gut. I took some Cipro which helped my upset stomach but the pain was still there. I dragged myself out of bed and went to the Ayuyvedic restaurant down the street and I asked the Dr what can I do-he said I had GAS!! of course me and my gas :) He had me eat some herbs out of my hand and gave me a bowl of gross aloe evra juice (looked like mud) I had to drink it fast, the whole thing. Then had some lemon mint tea, kicharee with mint yogurt. I am finally smiling. The pain has subsided. You have no idea how sick I was yesterday. I have a friend Thomas, a German guy who came to check on me and I asked he come back today since he's the only person who knows where I am.
At 6am yesterday I took a yoga class at Parmarth. On my way-since its so early not many are awake, 3 dogs ran to me, one jumped up and a sadhu yelled at them to get away. I will no longer walk around that early-the dogs are like a pack of bullies and I dont have a rabies shot. Then I went to my Trika yoga class and got sick during class, but then felt fine and have made friends with a German girl Nadine-she's awesome, 33 years old, and we are like the same person, its scary. We ate breakfast.I ate only half a roll...then got sick. I have slept 20 of the past 24 hours.
2 days before I was on my way back to my hotel and I heard singing so I walked into an ashram-it was Hanumans (monkey God)Birthday! They were doing aarti. An Indian man gave me a piece of prasad and he signaled for me to walk up front-I had my Havianas in my left hand and I walked up to get the blessing and 2 women started yelling at me-I didnt know if it was the shoes or my camera. Finally I asked a man what were they saying-he said I showed the soles of my shoes to God and that was bad (Whoops) You live n learn right?
The Dalai Lama is coming in 2 days!!! Do you believe it?? He will be staying at Parmarth Niketan Ashram-where I am moving to April 8th. I am blessed to be here now.

Surrendering

Since I began travelling nothing has gone to plan, NOTHING so someone is trying to tell me something. The yoga course I signed up for was cancelled, yes after I took a bus for almost 13 hours to make it on time, the class was cancelled. They offered for me to join the last 3 weeks of the month long hatha training for free so today is my first day of that. I'll see how I like it. There is so much to choose from here that I feel like I could stay here for months...I took a dip in the Ganga with a girl I met from Cali and an Israeli girl. It literally took my breath away-it was so cold. You seem to meet people everywhere-lots travel alone and there are many couples too. Everyone has opinions on where to go next. They say that all the pilgrims are travelling north, where I am then onto Dharamsala due to the heat. My plan is to go south and it doesnt really sound too smart anymore-its already too hot there I hear, and very humid. So my take on India so far is heaven and hell in a blender....but I am smiling today. Yesterday some tears and smiles. I was homeless for a bit and it was really scary...everyhting is sold out because of the time of year and the Kumb Mela so if anyone wants to come to India please book a hotel!!! Don't listen to anyone who says not too, even the Indians!! Because thats what they told me.. and I took too much crap-if I had a Jansport backpack I'd be better off. Its not easy travel over here... off to my next class. Sorry Im giving updates very quickly...but the internet goes in n out

Bitchslapped by India!

I will get into details later but I am in Rishikesh and had one of the most grueling travel days ever yesterday. I have slept about 5 hours in the past 2 days but I am here and I am off to begin my yoga course. just wanted to let you know I arrived...till later!

In New Delhi..trying to get to Rishikesh

So right now I am waiting for a bus to arrive to take me to Haridwar, then onto Rishikesh. Because of the AA delay I missed the train I was to take, the nice fluffy, ac train so now Im going to try the bus. Everyone has been exceptionally nice so far. I'm on the computer of the guy who booked my bus! His name is Prakeash. very nice man.He's smoked about 3 joints as I've been sitting here.. Its really smoky like fire, very cloudy and dusty and streets are full with cars, rickshaws, buses , bicyclists..its pretty nutz but for some reason I have not been the least bit anxious....
so wish me luck....

I made it!

Ok so I am here in New Delhi at the Hotel Ajanta.Its about 3 am here and I cant sleep because I slept on the plane. It was very easy to leave the airport and find my ride. I was in a taxi with an Indian named Sunny and he's from Florida. He;s in town for his wedding next weekend in Punjab. In front of us was another taxi with his brother and his girlfriend. We all went out for a drink together...went to some luxury hotel, felt like I was back in LA!! Everyone was dressed very westernized as I am in the same baggy clothes from 2 days ago! Just wanted to let you all know I am here..getting to Rishikesh may be a different story...Its very smokey here, they burn wood as fuel plus all the dirt and traffic doesn't help. But I have to say I am not nervous or shocked yet...till tomorrow

Love,E

about to board....finally!

So I'm at ohare about to board the plane to New Delhi. I have to say people here in Chicago are extremely friendly. I took the blue line or the loop as they say and headed downtown. Checked out the skywalk at the Sears Tower now called the Willis. It was amazing. They had these glass boxes that u step into and you can see 103 stories below you and miles of the city around you. It was funny watching people step one toe, then maybe a foot onto the glass because they were so scared. Then I ate lunch and this couple started talking to me and the guy gave me his card and told me to send him my resume...not that id move to Chicago, it was 38 degrees! But their mktg is outsourced. Its amazing how many strangers I've talked to today....mainly asking for directions! :)

The Windy City

I slept soooo long while I was waiting on the plane that I am wide awake on the internet in a hotel by Ohare airport. I have the day (tomorrow)to spend here since my flight isn't until 7:15 pm so I may take the train into the city and explore. Its so funny because I signed up to do this Passion Test training with the amazing Janet Attwood and there is one in Chicago this week and one in San Fran the end of July. I was thinking of pushing my India trip back just so I could go check out Chicago and do the training at the same time but instead I signed up for the one in San Fran.... Here I am in Chicago! Be careful what you wish for :)Night Night

stuck on the tarmack

So I'm sitting on the plane..its been almost 2 hours and there is some sort of computer issue. I'm stuck at lax but I'm stuck in first class! My big trip across the world may be delayed another day. It looks like I may be staying in chicago for the night then hopefully leaving for new delhi on thurs...I'm trying to go with the flow....oh boy....I will keep you posted!

India Here I come!

Ok, so its less than 3 weeks before my departure and I have so much to do!! I'm excited and scared to death. Its a weird feeling having everything and nothing at the same time...if you know what I mean....