I'm going to print t-shirts for my kids with this photo and it will read:
"My Dad went to India and all I got was this T-shirt with
a photo of him doing a headstand on the Ganges"
Enjoying the sights around Rishikesh
After yoga class today, we went for a trek to see a waterfall. The ride to the falls was true Indian excitement - 3 of us on a motorcycle buzzing through town and traffic and people and of course, cows. We followed a narrow road along the Ganges River to the trail-head. The hike was about 1/2 mile straight up to a nice waterfall. Then we walked further up the trail to a construction site when the ashram is building a new site. On an Indian time schedule, it will probably take a couple more years to complete. The only access will be the 1/2 mile trek up the mountainside, but with this view it will be well worth the effort. Once completed the new ashram should be beautiful - the location is completely isolated and the views of the surrounding mountains are magical.
After wards we walked further up the trail to the middle of nowhere and found beautifully terraced fields, an old irrigation system, and a small mountain village. We spend time playing with the local kids and enjoying the absolute peacefulness of the village. It's absolutely the quietest place in India I have been. Before we left an old Indian woman invited us to here home to have tea in her courtyard and show us her flower garden. She started a fire to heat the water and served us marvelous chai tea. This was such a treat and a real Indian experience, and well worth the hike up the mountain to discover her and the village. We made it back alive on the motorcycle and then went into town for the evening prayer service on the banks of the Ganga.
Later that night our yoga instructor (in the maroon shirt) told us about his conversation in Hindi with the old woman. She asked him if we wanted to come to her home for chai. He said no; she asked again and he still said no. Then she said to him to ask us (me and French guy below) if we wanted chai. He asked, and of course we said yes. He told the old lady and she said, "see, I told you so!" The photos below include our trip to the village. Hopefully you will appreciate this story when you see this dear old woman and the idyllic place where she lives.
Diary from Rishikesh
Rishikesh is a warm and peaceful town. The ashram is just on the outskirts of town, somewhat removed the the slight chaos of the markets at the center of town. The ashram is located in a small neighborhood and it's pleasant to see the neighbors going about their daily routine which includes lots of family time and relaxation. Initially I didn't recognize any particular spirituality emanating from Rishikesh - the yoga classes have been great; the food is fresh and cooked to order; the ashram is quiet and relaxing. However, the spirit has begun to unfold as I slowly unwind and begin meeting with talking with people living their lives in Rishikesh. The spirit and spirituality of the town is evident in the simple manner in which people live their lives and interact with others. People in town are quick to invite you into their shops and stores and talk with you or offer a cup of chai and talk some more. A lot of people come to Rishikesh seeking something. What I have found is that it's not about the search, but rather about what you can find by being more open to the possibilities that are available in the universe - even in this small universe of Rishikesh, India. So the question is what am I searching for? Adventure - yes; new experiences, sights, and sounds - yes; Indian cultural and religious knowledge - yes; and the true search is to reconnect with my sense of spirit and spirituality. A spirit of purpose or a purposeful spirit? The challenge now is to avoid the distractions (like looking around for gifts to buy for myself and others) and to focus inward and on myself. There doesn't seem to be a better place in the universe right now to start that quest than in Rishikesh.
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