QUICK SUMMARY OF FIRST FEW DAYS

QUICK SUMMARY OF FIRST FEW DAYS

India Blog 2015 #3  September 30, 2015

FINALLY RELAXING IN MY HOME FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS

After a hectic couple of days after arriving, I can now relax into this wonderful place which will be my home for the next few months

The weather is much hotter than seasonally expected, keeping me from my walks the past couple of days, and since I choose my room to suit me during the cooler, and even colder weeks, a room with plenty of sun and warmth, it is quite difficult right now.  And since there is no AC anywhere to speak of, I continue to seek out the coolest places to sit, and be, during various times of the day.

I am now in this lovely haven downstairs, at almost 5 PM, enjoying the cool shady quiet…writing these posts

PERFECT PLACE FOR WRITING

My room is fine once the sun goes down and sleeping is even cool with the mountain breeze, but during the day, it is difficult to really enjoy being there….this should all pass in a week or so

I’ve just been flowing with things as they go…the second day I actually DID go down for a walk, thinking it would be OK, but after making it down to Laxman Jhula, after resting for awhile at the German Bakery,

SIGN IN THE BATHROOM AT GERMAN BAKERY LAXMAN JHULA

I had to return home and getting back up to Swiss Cottage was not easy.  So I’ve sworn off walking around during the day.  Will try tomorrow at 6 AM…

COLORS CROSSING THE GANGA

First day out , I just went to see some friends and do my shopping with free delivery of basic things I needed in my room….

Second day, I decided, during the walk I thought to take, to buy something to wear to a couple of weddings I have coming up….and that was the best part of the day as the clothing shop, Fab India, was air conditioned.  More expensive than I usually buy, as I usually go down to the market, buy fabric and then have it stitched by a tailor… but worth the price just to be able to easily try on clothing in the coolness of the shop.

FAB INDIA

I’ve been eating well…what a joy to be able to eat whatever I want whenever I want, without having to prepare it myself,….

…had three massages which were wonderful, met some lovely people, and of course have been spending time with dear friends….

Looking forward to the more reasonable weather, but using this time as “enforced” rest time….probably what I need at the moment anyway.

Hope to have much more interesting photos once I can walk around more….and of course much more interesting things to write about.

I am loving the “boring” time at the moment….just what the doctor ordered for me….

Be back soon

Namaste

With love light and JOY

Jane

FIRST IMPRESSIONS AFTER TWO YEARS AWAY

BLOG 2015 #2 September 30

FIRST IMPRESSIONS AFTER TWO YEARS AWAY

FIRST SUNRISE

Insight about when to fly in to Delhi for best travel options.  Arrived with Turkish Airlines at 4:30 AM…ON A SUNDAY MORNING. Flying out of Israel was the easiest yet since it was Shabbat, and the airport was fairly empty.  Check-in was an all time record at only 10 minutes start to finish!  Also, Delhi airport was almost empty so no long lines to wait on and I was out of the airport, including getting my luggage, in less than half an hour

And then driving at that hour, on a Sunday morning, through Delhi, was child’s play…no traffic, no noise….and this continued for the first 2/3 of the journey.  The first 150 km., all on the new Highway, took just under 2 hours!  The last 100 km, through towns and with morning activity already beginning, even though Sunday, took 3 hours.  But still a very reasonable ride. Most of the way we drove at the unheard of speed of 80 kph on the new road which is fabulous. There were times when the speedometer hit 90 and even 100!

NOTE THE SPEED ON THE SPEEDOMETER

By 7:30 I was already sitting down to a breakfast of Aloo Parantha and Masala at Grand Cheetal rest stop.

Two Road signs along the way:

SAY NO TO PLASTIC BAGS.  PLASTIC IS NOT TRENDY

CELLULAR O WHEEL WILL BE COSTLY DEAL

….and indeed…you can now ad texting while driving to the already existing hazards of India roads.

SEE VIDEO IN LINK BELOW

TAXI RIDE DELHI TO RISHIKESH

India itself has stayed the same in many ways, and continues to change and grow as well at amazing speed.  WIFI access for example, which only two years began to find its way into restaurants etc., and was very “iffy”, is now almost everywhere, and WORKS beautifully! The prevalence of Western mode of dress, particularly among younger girls and women, is extensive although in the towns along the way, I saw none of it.  But here, in Rishikesh, where there are lots more Indian tourists, not pilgrims, just tourists, all are dressed in Western clothing.  It has become a very popular “get away” for the younger Delhi crowd, as well as families, and I’ve been told that for most of the year, there is actually more income from Indians these days than from Westerners, who have become unreliable as a main source, and also pay much less money for the same services and accommodations than Indians do.

But mainly these are cosmetic changes…new restaurants and guesthouses everywhere I look (and I’ve been out and about very little these first few days as it is very hot…unseasonably so), fancier cars, clothing shops etc., but the essence, the soul of Indian, remains the same.  It is something which never seems to change and it is what brings me here time and again.  I will be writing more about this as the time goes by.

Enough for this first post….next one will quickly sum up my first few days

Namaste

With love light and JOY

Jane

SHANA TOVA – HAPPY NEW YEAR

…EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT JEWISH!  🙂

As always, my prayers are with all of you and as the Jewish New Year approaches, this is a good time to contemplate (and you don’t have to be Jewish to use the opportunity) where you were last year at this time, where you are today, how you feel about your “today” and how much of what you dreamed of last year you have succeeded in manifesting into reality !!

I leave you with my blessings for another wonderful year, and of course with the following food for thought:

Cultivating Faith is no different than cultivating a garden. The more time you spend on it,the more beautifully it will grow and bring you joy. You must weed it continually, and the weeds in the garden of Faith are fear and doubt. The water and fertilizer which allow it grow are prayer, meditation and…more than anything else, gratitude.

SHANA TOVA

with love light and JOY

Jane

Back to Rishikesh 2015

India 2015-#1

It’s been much too long, but I am finally getting back to my blogging.  I have been in a strange place for some time now, neither here nor there, but in just a couple of weeks I’ll be back in Rishikesh to openly, JOYFULLY and gratefully receive whatever is waiting for me there.  I have not been back in two years, and that is a very long time for me, but those have been two extremely powerful and intensive years on many levels.  Health, financial, relationships, family, many great joys and other frustrating, disappointing and even frightening events.  All have strengthened me and help me learn and grow further, and I know the next three months in India will continue to bring new and wonderful experiences and surprises my way

I look forward to seeing you all on a fairly regular basis with stories, insights and of course lots of photos.

Namasste

Jane