Today was rather uneventful in the traveling department as we needed just one day of no movement- and hanging out at the rest house was all but boring. We spent the day living the simple, relaxed mountain life. Very rejuvenating! I actually read a novel by one of my favorite authors – Robert Ludlum purchased on my new I-Pad and enjoyed watching the staff chase the local horse that would come trampling through the manicured lawn and eat the grass all day long.
Later that night we found out that a school in the adjacent village had fallen off the cliff due to heavy rains causing a mud slide … Om Namah Shivaya ~ 18 children died. This is all crazier then I could have ever imagined.
The journey continues. Due to heavy rain fall and tricky road conditions we had to abandon our plans for 2 intense treks in to the mountain that would put us away from any villages living in tents and living purely in nature. It was a bummer but if there’s anything I have learned in India is not to attach to plans, time and how you think things should go. This wonderful land teaches you that this moment is what you have and don’t waste it or wish for it to be different because if you do it will surely turn against you like a great big demon. So I surrendered and let Scott and Rakesh make plans for our last 4 days. We departed for the mountain town of Auli where there is a Ski Resort. I had vision of an Indian Squaw Valley … haha! That is humorous beyond. But Scott and I had a good time wishing and wondering what an Indian ski lodge looks like. Rakesh was excited as this area will offer grandiose views of many peaks and one in particular –Nanda Devi Peak which will be next year’s destination. It is also near Yoshimath a holy Vishnu temple is here and also close to Valley of Flowers and Bradinath. We are going further North very close to the China – Indian border and this was all to evident as we approached and noticed a considerable military presence, training mountaineering camps and stations.
At first, Rakesh suggested we stay in what he believed to be nice huts. Well the word hut already made me suspicious but I went along with it. At this point my high maintenance urban desires are somewhat diminished but just a slither of luxury like a clean room, no musty rugs is all I am asking for. The car could not make it all the way up to where the huts where and I felt this was a sign – on the outside they did not look very promising at all. Behind us I noticed that there was some sort of ski lodge hotel. This looked much more promising. So I took matters into my control and walked over to the hotel to check things out. Of course the outside always looks much fancier then the inside – I laughed knowing that this is typical of India ... nice shiny outside but not so shiny on the inside. So in this large complex we settled in and literally are the ONLY people staying here. It rained all night ~ strong rains poured down. I prayed and prayed please let the sun shine through tomorrow morning.
The rain had subsided to a soft drizzle by early morning and eagerly I awoke to prepare to visit the small, not so ancient Hanuman temple that was a short hike up the mountain. As I walked outside I could see the peaks peering out over the horizon as the clouds rolled by past me. Thrilled to find myself all alone, not a priest or pilgrim in site I made my way in and sat before Hanuman in meditation and mantra. For the first time I was able to worship in private, in my very own temple. It was here I realized that I need Hanuman to blow the clouds away; He will surely rally to the cause. Oh Hanuman with you big heart and strong chest blow these clouds and rain North, far, far away.
At breakfast the sun started to come through and there was a glimmer of hope for us! Yes, maybe today will be a rain free day. I am an avid sun worshiper (Suryanarayan) and from there we all realized that Hanuman was the man and the Hanuman Chalisa was chanted full-on! We waited 2 hours for the sun to continue to break through and dry things up a bit so we could hike around this mountaintop.
We gathered ready for the climb and Rakesh brought a new device to help my trekking efforts … a walking stick. Hmm, I have never use a walking stick before. I am either concerned for what’s ahead or maybe this is just something to divert my attention.
The terrain was less then easy to maneuver, as it was wet, muddy and streams abundantly flowed in all directions. We were making our way to a meadow. Not sure where that was but I followed along. I soon realized the walking stick was going to be my savior from falling on the very muddy ground below me. A new epiphany about myself – I am clean FREAK! Really, I had no idea how obsessed I am about being neat and clean. I know some of you already had that figured out, but I amused myself trying not to muddy my pants and today of all days I had the brilliant idea of wearing my new keane’s as I knew there was water to negotiate. However, my mind never computed the mud that would enter through the openings. I grew increasingly frustrated by the fact that my feet were squishy and muddy and my wonderful bright orange be present pants were turning brown and yucky. I kept trying to be neat and pristine as I maneuvered each step but I soon realized my terrible neurosis and how it was really working against me.
So once again, I had to relinquish this control to be neat and pretty and surrender to nature and just be muddy and dirty. Through surrender I could release myself and be peaceful deep inside the forest where the trees, leaves, ferns were moist, vibrant with life. I found myself inside a fuzzy green forest wonderland, an enchanted forest: the lush foliage, the sounds so alive, earth grounding and cooling. We never made it all the way to the meadow as negotiating the non train was difficult at best and after two hours I knew the return would not be so amazing and my Pitta hunger was starting in and that in itself was not going to make for a happy descent back to home base. Satisfied with our adventure we turned around and headed back to our hotel and now it was already 3 pm and I was starving!
We are the only ones still in the hotel – comical and eerie at the same time – I had a bit of a meltdown when we returned and the staff had not gone to the market to pick up food supplies for our meals. Hungry, muddy, dirty, and tired does not make this Spa Girl happy at all! So I stomped off after sharing my frustation with everyone, allowed the hot water shower to pour over my body and searched for my emergency power bars. At that point, a very shaken and mortified Rakesh peered through my door and told me that the staff had magically conjured up some snacks and by tonight I would have all menu items available for ordering. I apologized for my deranged Pitta state but he understood and once I explained I was not mad at him at all – we were all best friends again.
