THE TREK-END DECEMBER 2015

THE TREK-END DECEMBER 2015

CHRISTMAS DAY …NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN INDIA SO MANY HOLIDAY MAKERS. ENJOYING THE BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY ON THE BEACHES OF RAM JHULA

The photos in this post are just some scenes from my last days here….

I have not done much blogging these past three months while in Rishikesh.  I did not feel the need to record and share the many amazing things that have happened to me on the journey this year, and I honored that feeling as much as possible.  This has been an exciting and rewarding three months for me, more than I could ever have imagined…

It was much more than the usual enlightening journey and opportunity to grow that India always is for me.

RAM JHLUA

This trip I was blessed with amazing synchronicities and opportunities to be of service in ways I could never imagine.  People from all over the world found their way to me for many reasons, but it is interesting that all of them, in some way, were dealing with a similar issue, one which I myself had been dealing with for some time and finally found closure here in Rishikesh via an Angel that was sent to me for my own healing and release.

GOOD MORNING LAXMAN JHULA

Being of service to so many, all of them very young, was indeed an honor and a privilege.  To be found worthy to be a channel for messages and information that these young people needed at this place in their own journey, was most humbling.

LAXMAN JHULA AS REFLECTED BELOW IN THE GANGA

 

RAM JHULA REFLECTED IN THE GANGA BELOW

I was also blessed with a balance of work, which brings me great joy, and leisure and pleasure time which also bring me great joy…being careful not to allow one to take away from the joy of the other.

Most importantly, however, this journey took ME so deep into MYSELF, to places I could never imagine reaching, as to be labeled a TREK rather than a trip.

VIEWS TOWARDS LAXMAN JHULA FROM RAM JHULA

It’s been an amazing trek for sure, and the ramifications of the discoveries made in these distant places will affect everything that comes after in my life.

RAM JHULA BEACH AND LOVELY PLACE TO SIT QUIETLY IN MEDITATION AND DEVOTION ALONG MA GANGA

And with this, I say goodbye for this trip, few as the posts may have been, they have been posted with joy.  Hope they brought you all some pleasure and joy as well.

ONE LAST BEAUTIFUL SUNSET

Namaste

With love light and JOY

Jane

NEW SURPRISES AND DISCOVERIES EVERY DAY Dec 8, 2015

NEW SURPRISES AND DISCOVERIES EVERY DAY Dec 8, 2015
The weather being cold and nasty….I’m actually sitting in my room, with the heater on, listening to music, coloring in my coloring book….warm clothes, sox and shawl and hot water bottle nearby…quite content…and having some time to even write…haven’t done this for some time.

Not having wifi for four days also gave me lots of free time…..quite a surprising blessing as well.
Just a quicky this time…
First of all, after searching for a really good cup of cappuccino, latte, whatever for over two months, I’d finally given up. Even the restaurants that have recently gotten machines, they simply don’t know how to properly prepare it.
So to my surprise, I had this wonderful Latte just now at the Raasta Café…compliments of the manager…it is not on the menu, because he is the only one who really knows how to make it….but it was really lovely!

And the next surprise, was the Japanese practitioner who came to my room to do a treatment yesterday. I’ve been doing Japanese acupuncture at home for years now and it is a godsend for keeping me balanced and managing problems before they get out of hand. About a month ago I heard of a Japanese acupuncture practitioner here but no one seemed to know how to find him. I searched for him where people told me he lived but to no avail.
In a series of synchronicities, I was given his phone number last week…contacted him immediately to make an appointment (which is when he told me he ONLY does house calls…lovely!). He came, and left, without finding me as he looked in the wrong guesthouse. Very disappointing, but we finally DID get together, yesterday, and for the first time ever in Rishikesh, I felt like I was getting a TRULY professional treatment by and experienced and proper practitioner! A combination of massage, shiatsu, enery cleansing and actual acupuncture. I will have him back again next week. Explained some very interesting things to me about my body and why it behaves the way it does…and of course did a very impressive treatment…and I am not easily impressed!
So it’s been a lovely couple of days, despite the weather. Probably won’t be able to post these as the wifi router has died and it could take a couple of days until it is replaced with a new one….but at least I have written them up.
Namaste
Jane

POSTAL PERPLEXITY AND DESERTED STREETS

POSTAL PERPLEXITY AND DESERTED STREETS  DEC. 8, 2015

Will try and keep this short….Yesterday, I had someone take me down to the local post office branch in Laxman Jhula with all the stuff I want to send home by parcel so as not to be overweight.  Everything went as planned….no problem…until I realized after leaving and getting almost home that I had wrote the wrong zip code.  This is probably worse than writing NO zip code because if there is NO zip code then they have to look at the city name and probably would be no problem.  But if the zip code was written in huge numbers ( as it was),

the parcel could easily float around Israel for some time before getting to my home town.

Tried finding their phone number online….it was too late, and I was much too tired anyway, to go back….but no luck finding the number of this small local branch.

LAXMAN JHULA BRIDGE GHOSTLY EMPTY

So did my best to get it out of my thoughts, knowing that the only thing to do was pray it didn’t get sent out the same day (which would be a rare occurrence in India), and that when I came back early the next morning it would still be there.  AND IT WAS!  It was just being picked up for shipping forward when I arrived….changed the zip code, and completely relaxed…happily going home.

OUT FOR STROLL ALL ALONE

 

But, being out so early in the morning (9 AM), on a cold day, brought me the surprise of completely deserted streets and even the site of Laxman Jhula Bridge completely empty!! (You can see those photos above)

 

I’ve NEVER seen anything like this in all the years I’ve been coming.  If I hadn’t taken these photos, I probably would imagine I was dreaming the whole thing, the scenes seem so amazingly out of character….

Just a couple of more sights from the early morning ghats….devotion and fun along the Ganga

JAI MA GANGA

DEVOTION AND FUN ALONG THE GANGA

The weather is colder with each day….thankfully, I have a heater in my room….no sun at all today with the feel of rain in the air….hopefully once it rains, the sun will return in a cleared sky and will warm my bones again…

QUIET EARLY MORNING ON LAXMAN JHULA GHATS

Namaste

Jane

THE PARADISE CALLED RISHIKESH

GOOD EVENING FROM RAM JHULA

Just a few photos from my walk home this evening. Rishikesh is a true Paradise.

These photos were all taken at Ram Jhula…either while standing on the bridge itself, or looking towards it.

I am so blessed to be here and so grateful for being able to

Namaste

with love light and JOY

Jane

LOVING UNIVERSE AND SYNCHRONICITY

A  LOVING UNIVERSE

MOON RISING OVER THE MOUNTAIN

There have been several incidences over the past couple of weeks and two stand out particularly for their Divine synchronicities.

The first is the story of  my eyeglasses.  Over the past year I’d done two cataract surgeries and just before leaving home I was able to finally get a pair of eyeglasses for my new prescriptions  Knowing I was coming to India and things are so much cheaper here, I chose to get one pair of bifocals to see me through until I could have eyeglasses made up here…separate pairs for distance (driving) and reading.

Didn’t really know where to go and a couple of opticians were suggested (I didn’t need a optometrist since my prescription was completely up to date)..just needed to choose frames and have the lenses prepared.  As I got off the rickshaw (the one with 12 people in it!!)

THEY WERE SQUATTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR AND EVERYONE WAS LAUGHING SO MUCH…THEY THEMSELVES ASKED ME TO TAKE A PHOTO

at the market, someone tapped me on the shoulder, never pleasant in a crowded area in India…but finally from behind, an American accented voice said “Hello, how are you?”.  It was a person I know here for years, but never really speak to except to say “hi” when we happen to cross paths.  He asked what I was doing in the market and told him I needed eyeglasses…asked if I had some special place to go to and when I told him no, he said there is a great place he has been using since 1991 and proceeded to take me there.

THESE WERE THE FRAMES LEFT TO CHOOSE FROM AFTER I ELIMINATED THOSE I DEFINITELY DIDN’T LIKE. THERE WERE ABOUT 40 PAIR TO START WITH AND THEY KEPT BRINGING OUT MORE UNTIL I SAID “STOP”. LIKE GOING TO A SARI OR SUIT SHOP

Brought me to the place and instantly turned around and left, without even giving me a chance to thank up, but not before making sure the optometrist was there to receive me.

As soon as I walked in, I felt transported out of India and into an optician’s shop anywhere in the world….upstairs for an examination, even though I explained I didn’t need it as I had my updated prescription with me, but went anyway.  Was given a thorough examination and then the prescription was checked and to my surprised, one eye was no longer good.  Needed a slight adjustment, which was done, the new prescription handed to me and then downstairs to choose two frames,

Long story short, as I always have trouble finding suitable lenses as my face is very narrow, I usually need childrens’ size and then not much to choose from, here, there was an unlimited array of lenses to choose from, ALL of which fit me.

NARROWING IT DOWN

And then, hearing the prices, I finally decided to buy more than two.  In the end, I chose two for distance, two for reading and one further pair of bifocals.  And today went back and ordered another for distance with a frame I had chosen for reading which I particularly like.  And, think I will go back and get sunglasses as well.

ALL FIVE INITIAL PAIR COST ABOUT $80…ALL TOGETHER!!!! FRAMES AND LENSES!

Second story, also ending with beautiful synchronicity, (well, not quite finished as I don’t know the final result yet as I write this), concerns my brand new laptop with a touch screen.

One morning a couple of days ago I woke up to find the touch screen unresponsive…simply not working!  I only have this device 4 months!  It is under warranty, but I would have to wait until I get home to use it since I don’t have the receipt etc. here with me.  And no way of knowing if it could be fixed, if I’d have to backup everything and set up the laptop again after it being formatted, etc.

I was sitting with a friend who runs the cyber café just below my room, who is also planning to buy a similar Dell laptop like mine, and mentioned to him that the screen had suddenly stopped working.  A friend of his was sitting there and he said something to him in Hindi and then to me…”This guy works at the official Dell showroom here in town!  Bring it down and let him see it!  So I did…and when I opened it, and he began to touch it, it was working perfectly!!  Magic…go to the doctor and you are no longer sick kind of thin…we all laughed, I was relieved, and went happily up to my room, and to my great dismay, when I plugged it in and began working, it once again didn’t respond.  And then I realized, it had to do with the charger.  Just two days before my phone charger (also only 6 months old) completely stopped working and now I began to put two and two together, but took everything downstairs again to ask.  The Dell guy, as soon as I told him the story, understood that the problem was with the charger, not the screen.  Another guy sitting there said two nights before in several hours of erratic electrical current, two large screen TVs and two air conditioners were burnt out.  So, number one, I was lucky that my phone and laptop were not destroyed, and pleased to know that , hopefully, the solution was a simple one.

Today, the owner of the Dell place came over here from town, checked out my laptop, said it seems fine and it is only the charger, and hopefully tomorrow will bring me a new one.

It’s been an amazing few days with blessings from an abundant and loving Universe showering down on me all the time….I truly never have to worry as I am always being taken care of, in ways I certainly could never imagine, with the appropriate angels, in human form, always showing up for me when I most need them.

I AM TRULY BLESSED

Namaste

Jane

 

A Feeling of Complete Freedom

A FEELING OF COMPLETE FREEDOM AND WELL BEING

FLOWERS ALONG THE WAY

It’s been almost ten days since my last post…which is a true reflection of how honest my perceptions of the last days have been…Copying here some random ideas written in my journal over the past 10 days…and will share photos to give you some idea of the lovely things these days have brought with them…long walks, visit to the Buddhist Stupa and Temple in Dehra Dun (here is a link to a full album of photos from a few years ago if you are interested:  MussoorieAndBuddhistStupa )which is always a peaceful and worthwhile day for me despite the difficult drive there in traffic…new restaurants, took the Ram Jhula boat across for the first time ever and found it a very convenient idea when I don’t feel like walking all around…interesting insights into my personal life and where it is going…it’s been a very full and rewarding 10 days, and NOT blogging has been one of the blessings…the photos here also reflect some of the Natural and Human beauty which is everywhere to see…if we are mindful of it.

RELAXING WITH FRIENDS ALONG LAXMAN JHULA GHATS

FAMILY FUN GANGA BATHING

 

RAM JHULA

RELAXING WITH FRIENDS ALONG LAXMAN JHULA GHATS

 

Nov. 10 Brought with it two episodes concerning “angels” sent to assist me, and resulting in two beautiful closures which were necessary at this stage of my journey, and an amazing AHA! moment regarding myself and my purpose for being here.

GANGA REFLECTIONS

 

LAXMAN JHULA BRIDGE ABOVE AND BELOW

GANGA REFLECTIONS

GANGA REFLECTIONS

Nov. 16 A Feeling of Complete Freedom

Have found a sweet spot with the perfect mixture of people and alone..

there are still lots of things I WANT to do, and things I NEED to do, but will flow with the days and for now just relax into whatever seems to come.

 

FAMILIES ON VACATION…SHOPPING AND JUST ENJOYING RISHIKESH FOR THE PARADISE IT IS

There seems to be a respite in the initial blast of cold weather which began a while back and this is another great blessing.  Even the mornings and evenings are chilly but comfortable enough to enjoy sitting outdoors with a warm shawl or sweater.  Nights are still warm enough to sleep comfortably. Will enjoy this for as long as it lasts .

GANGA RIVER RAFTING

Feeling freer than ever these days – despite there being certain things that

RELAXING AT LAXMAN JHULA AFTER A 10 KM WALK UPSTREAM

I “have to” do, like getting eyeglasses (well, I did that yesterday and story will follow in a post), a few things I need to purchase and send home by parcel, and some people I “want to”, “need to” visit, and of course my blog posts,  I don’t feel hassled by any of this.

Everything will get done whenever it is meant to.  Slowly, but surely…and for now, just letting each moment move along as it may.

 

TRULY A FEELING OF COMPLETE FREEDOM!

Nov. 17 brought further insights and understandings into the COMING stage of my life which also allowed me to feel a further sense of wellbeing and freedom.  It’s been a truly insightful and rewarding 10 days!

NATURAL BEAUTY SURPRISING US AT EVERY TURN OF THE ROAD

Enjoy the photos

Until we next meet

Namaste

with much love light and JOY

Jane

 

 

DRAMATIC SUNSET OVER GANGA

Just a quick photo post of a dramatic sunset over the Ganga as seen several days ago from 60’s Beatles Cafe in Laxman Jhula

SUNSET BEGINS

FIERY DRAMA IN THE SKY

NEW THINGS TO DO, AND NOT TO DO-NOV 12, 2015

NEW THINGS TO DO, AND NOT TO DO –NOV 12, 2015

GANGA REFLECTIONS

As are all my journeys to India, this one has been different as well, bringing with it its own blessings, discoveries, insights, meetings with lovely new people and doing new things (and NOT doing many other things).

BACK ROADS OF LAXMAN JHULA

Today is the day after Diwali, Festival of Lights (and NOISE!!!)….things are now gratefully calming down.

DIWALI AT SWISS COTTAGE

Today I took the boat across the river from one side of Ram Jhula to the other for the first time…even though I’ve been coming here for nine years!  I actually prefer walking around and across the bridge, but today, had the urge to try the boat.  It was lovely…took about one minute to get across.

BOAT RIDE ACROSS GANGA AT RAM JHULA

Been relaxing a lot near my room-much more than is usual for me, and feeling very at peace with it as well.

Tomorrow I am going to the Buddhist Temple, Stupa, Monastery, in Dehra Dun…something I do every year and probably would not do if my friend was not here.

I am definitely not feeling the urge, or need, to write at all, but feeling extremely at peace with all that is happening, and NOT happening.  I seem to be in a very much needed “there is nothing I must do” spot.  It is truly a blessed feeling.

I’ve had interesting insights and AHA! Moments this past week as well, thanks to two “angels” who were sent my way, named S and M…powerful understandings and closures as well as profound changes on all levels as a result…emotional, technical/practical/perceptive, and Spiritual.

GANGA VIEW FROM UPSTREAM ON BADRINATH ROAD

It’s been a blessed, enlightening and empowering journey so far, and there is still quite some time to go. 
I remain open and accepting of all that is to come, with joy, love, gratitude, Faith and Freedom from Fear.

LAXMAN JHULA AT NIGHT

Namaste
Jane

FEELING THE CHANGE NOV 6, 2015

FEELING THE CHANGE
Life is peaceful and pleasantly relaxed

RAM JHULA REFLECTIONS

The photos in this post don’t necessarily reflect the content of the post but they are from a lovely day out….and there are a couple of links to full albums at the end for anyone interested.  And there will be more, but fewer and at less frequent intervals…

GANGA OFFERING AT LAXMAN JHULA GHATS

For several year, it has been very subtle…slowly creepy up on me and almost unnoticeable. The past two years, the  change has been less than subtle to be sure…no longer creepy up on me quietly, but pouncing on me and taking me completely by surprise, unbalancing me, and drastically shifting my perspective and perceptions.

ALONG THE GANGA…LAXMAN JHULA

I’m talking about the natural changes associated with the human body and its eventual wearing down and slowing up – as any normal “machine” will do – over the years.  Because it is natural, it is easily accepted but still can be quite disconcerting at times.

MOTHER AND CHILD SEEN AT LAXMAN JHULA

I had begun to feel this the past couple of years at home, just performing my normal daily activities, as well as my main physical activities which are walking and folkdancing..

EVERYDAY SCENE FROM LAXMAN JHULA…SEE LINK AT END FOR FULL ALBUM

I KNEW things had changed, and easily came to terms with the “new me”.  I didn’t feel any great disappointment or frustration with the slowing down and changing energy levels.  Perhaps just a little surprise now and then.

DRESSED IN THE HEIGHT OF “LAYERED LOOK” FASHION ON A COLD RISHIKESH MORNING

But it is only now, sitting here in Rishikesh that I realize completely just how far these changes have come over the past 2 years since I was last here.  Things I could do easily, on a daily basis, now need a day of rest in between, and take much longer to do, draining my energies much more quickly.

A PARADISE CALLED RISHIKESH

It’s taken me a few weeks to come to terms with this but now that I have, I’ve settled  into my new routine quite happily.  I can still do everything I want to do, choose to do, or need to do, just at a slower pace.

RAM JHULA REFLECTIONS…SEE LINK AT END FOR FULL ALBUM

SHANTI SHANTI

HARI OM

NAMASTE

LIFE IS PEACEFUL AND PLEASANTLY RELAXED

photo album links:

LAXMAN JHULA SIGHTS

SUBLIME RAM JHULA

THINGS BEGIN TO SHIFT

THINGS BEGIN TO SHIFT

RAM JHULA

Things are starting to shift. This always happens when I am in India. The shift is more on an energy level, in perceptions of time, space and self. Many things are very subtle. Pretty much unnoticed from the outside at first, but powerfully felt within. Almost like a volcanic eruption… sudden, surprising and overwhelming.

everyday sight along Swag Ashram ghats

The photos in this post are part of the shift as I’ve realized I must do my walking alone if I am too truly receive the benefits of it on all levels. So I spent a beautiful day just roaming around Ram Jhula and Swagashram areas and ghats…and while there, taking photos of whatever took my fancy. I won’t post all of them here, but rather over a few posts.

Have you heard what happened to….???

One of the result of this shift is my really allowing myself to enjoy whatever suits me at the moment. I always have music playing, in one form or another – depending on my mood and my needs- I must have music in my life- to calm, to excite, to invigorate, to inspire, for romance, for fun, for dancing or just for its beauty. IT’s been interesting for me to note what strikes my fancy in music over the past few days…

say cheese!! Weekend tourists enjoying the Ram Jhula ghats

decisions, decisions, decisions

Finding my “aloneness” again is also a great shift. Always being surrounded by others-not always physically but mentally and emotionally – can be exhausting and draining , even when they are dear loved ones – of which I am blessed with many- 6 children, their spouses and my 14 grandchildren. And then of course my dear loving  friends. The “space” to be completely alone with ME is a rare occurrence – times are few and far between- I make a great effort to at least begin my day with just ME – but very often even this sacred time is snatched from me for various reasons. This space for me is a luxurious blessing, and I am at a place where I am now withdrawing from others around me here as well. Going within, alone, as much as possible.

weekend tourists

FOOD FOR THE FISH

along swag ashram ghats

on ram jhula bridge

dressed for the holiday weekend

tour group with guide

TRANQUIL RAM JHULA

Hope you enjoy the rest of these photos as much as I enjoyed experiencing them.

with love light and JOY

Jane