Rishikesh

Wednesday August 31^st

I am happy to report that traveling from Pune to Rishikesh was smooth and easy and quite organized much to mysurprise. So you see that’s the beauty of India – NEVER, EVER assume. I was very concerned about my 45 minute transfer in Delhi. As going through security again in Delhi in 20 minutes was not going to be easy, but I was ready to give it my best, relaxed shot!

As soon as we landed they announced that passengers transferring to Dehradun and some other city please see attendant upon exiting plane. I announced I was going to Dehradun and I was asked to wait on the bridge. Five minutes later we are escorted out of the bridge to a side staircase and onto a bus. The bus weaves around the parked planes and viola there we are to step off the bus and ont our next flight. Very VIP I thought. As soon as I exit the bus the airlines representative confirms I have 2 pieces of luggage to be transferred - I enthusiastically agree, full of surprise at this level of organization and attention. Love Kingfisher Airlines ! I am one of the first to board the plane and feeling like some special attaché or diplomat I sit and wait for the rest of the passengers to arrive. Love it!

As always I am greeted by Pankaj upon arrival with flowers, Limca and mung dal snacks. We arrive in Rishikesh and the fun continues. This year Govind and Sunil, my dear friends, have graciously offered me my own apartment which happens to be vacant in the building where they all live. Greeted by the entire family I receive my apartment orientation and am made feel very welcome. I know I am in for quite the experience living with an entire Indian family. Maybe this time I will finally learn how to puton my own sari and the secret ways of Indian cooking!

Photos of my Apartment :

Excursions in Pune

This was my first visit to Pune and it was surprisingly cool as I was prepared for lots of heat. With three days to go until Ganesha Chaturdashi festival, the city was brimming with excitement and preparation. There were stages, banners and light being erected every 25 steps. Everywhere you turn you see Ganesha. Ganesha chants just spontaneously were coming through me.

The monsoon hit Pune hard my first two days which made sightseeing impossible but nonetheless I ventured out to visit Dr Lad’s clinic. We met at 6 pm as the his private clinic is only open from 6 to 9 pm. It was a sweet reunion for me but most importantly to see the very place where he can practice freely and authentically was a magical experience for me. To see his patients in the waiting room arriving one by one and not by appointment but simply by just showing up and waiting for the proper turn. It was such luxury to have so much of his time to ask my questions and discuss future projects not like his hectic and fast paced schedule in the US. There I also met Vitala, a student of 8 years from the Ukraine, who offered to take me book shopping and show me around the area.

So the following day we met at 1 pm in front of the clinic which was bustling with people running to and fro as it was the first day of no rain in a long time. We made our way to our first book shop which was basically a very small shack with a counter and hundreds of books piled, stacked and lining the walls. I was thankful for my list as the smiling Indian lady behind the counter did not know English but she knew enough to read my list and miraculously know exactly where each book was placed. This is a perfect example of disordered order. I could have stayed there forever as she allowed to come behind the counter and randomly select the books that seemed of interest to me. This is what I considered Ayurvedic heaven – every book on Ayurveda you could possibly ever want right here. I had to control myself as I might just bring down the entire plane with the weight of my future luggage. The saving point – lunch time. She had to go to lunch. Literally closing the door behind she sent us off.

When it comes to shopping for specialized books in Pune there isn’t a one stop shop. Of course not. You have to be in the know to find these obscure books shops where the shopkeeper retrieves the books for you – it’s very much like going to the Library of Congress where you are not allowed to get a book of the shelf – you have to have your book list ready and a librarian retrieves it for you. The beauty is that if one book shop does not have the book you are looking for then they send you somewhere else. And so that is how are day proceeded being led from one shop to another in search of each and very book. I report a nearly successful mission and the two books not available I knew I would be able to find in Rikshikesh! Vitala returned to the clinic and I took the opportunity to go sari shopping. Pune was my chance to acquire some nice sari’s and Kurtas that I knew I would not find in the North. Luckily my expert shopping skills and ability to find just the right stores has not boundaries across the planet. I found the perfect shop where I could just sit and have dozens and I am not joking dozens of saris and kurtas brought to me for my liking and perusal. With 3 saris and 5 kurtas in hand (they were having a sale !), I was festival ready to head up North to my favorite place in the whole world Rishikesh !!!

Kerala to Pune

Kerala

Greetings from the Divine land of Kerala! For me there is nothing more rejuvenating for my body and nervous system thenn decompressing and surrendering to the love and healing of Kerala’s Ayurvedic magical treatments and positive spirit. Though I tend to live my life so that I am not depleted and

generally sustain very good Ayurvedic practices that are fortifying and nourishing, I think I forget what my nervous system feels like when completely relaxed.

It’s only been 9 months since I was last here and I am amazed at how quickly my body can store tension and stress. I am reminded how my body, muscles and cells absorb anxiety, tension, and stress. With each day that passes, I can feel myself return back to my natural

state of ease and relaxation; thus, why these treatments are designed to nourish and support the body in a consecutive manner rather then used as simple one-time spa treatment. Here lies the major difference in receivinga randomAbhyanga massage that feels good, to soon thereafter find yourself on the iPhone or Blackberry versus melting into daily rejuvenation in a relaxed setting where your phone does not work!

Pune

My travels to Pune reminded me of the wonders of traveling in India. My strong Pitta nature is

slowly being stripped away until I am just naked in surrender. First stop was Kerala airport. Not

sure why I haven’t learned yet to not question when you’re given an answer that you know doesnot make sense. I was told “no problem, you can carry on liquid – no restrictions”. So happily Idecided to carry on all of the Kerala goodies I purchased – oils, special herbal decoctions, ear andeye drops … you name it I bought it and stuffed into my backpack.Something to note about traveling in Indian airports – they will check your boarding pass at least9 times until you are literally on the plane and in your seat. Sometimes one guard checks yourboarding pass to then pass it to another guard literally 6 inches in distance until it is returnedback to you. And all of this begins at the entry door to the terminal.Layover in Bangalore. Very nice, modern airport. However, not modern enough to have allowed transfer passengers to stay in the secure zone to make a simple plane transfer. Instead you are dumped back in baggage claim and have to find your way back to security to re-enter the airport. You’ve got to be kidding me. Breath out – again.

I make it through with 45 minutes until my next flight and so of course there’s time for someairport shopping. Love to buy books at Indian airports as they are so cheap! With three books inhand I walk toward my gate. At first I think it’s a vision but then I realize oh no …. there aresparrows flying all over the airport. How did they get through security I wonder? These birds are

going crazy snacking on the crumbs left by passengers at the nearby café and NO ONE is the least bit phased. I can’t believe my eyes. There is a woman just sitting at her table with birds all around

her tray and there she sits watching the birds eat (see picture). Hilarious. I quickly think of my mom and how she would be freaking out over the viruses and bacteria these birds are carrying

and everyone is just OK with it. I smile.

I sit down and order some rice because as they say when in Rome … and so I feed the birds (see

video). In all this excitement I glance down and notice the time – Oh crap my flight leaves in 15minutes! I run to the gate – empty. Not a person or agent in sight. I can’t even see the plane.What?? Are you kidding me? Did I just miss my flight feeding the birds? Ridiculous. I glance in the distance and see movement on the other side and quickly walk over. Of course, typical theychanged the gate. All is good. I should know better then to expect the gate to stay the same.

I now relax into my seat until I am called to the front of the plane – something is wrong with my

luggage. What? They ask me about some small backpack because it is leaking. What is inside? Isthere some strange chemical as it smells funny - Ayurvedic medicine I say. Oh! They radio downand say OK put it back in the plane. Shit – there go my precious herbs. Back to the seat and quicklyopen one of my new books trying to forget and not worry about the condition of my backpack.Landing in Pune we are greeted by dogs chasing the plane on each side – seriously. Dogs runningalongside the plane - now how did they get through security? Really this is all too bizarre.