One step away from Doom. That is how I feel when I am riding in a taxi here. I feel like I have to stay on my toes but I try to just relax and go with the flow because there is no other way when traveling . But it does feel precarious sometimes and a bit overwhelming –
I want to wake up and go to Starbucks ! Oh well!
Life at an ashram. I am here for a week and I am not sure what I will be doing all this time. Or if I will like it and I cannot shop like I have enjoyed in Kathmandu!! That place is a shoppers paradise with endless sights to check out. Here, we are situated on the side of a hill, out in the countryside. There is a lot of small farming going on and building too. These people are always tearing down and building anew. The women are doing construction work . From the ashram there is a huge construction site – like our last hotel- tho this one is covering an adjacent hillside. Land has been cleared and there are low rock walls that divide the earth into spaces, like a subdivision. Women are moving rocks in baskets on their backs with a fabric band that wraps over their forehead.
When we are doing yoga I watch them and wonder how they manage carrying those rocks all day. I count my lucky stars I am not one of them! So- life here is orderly and on a schedule. The bell rings at 6:30 am for chanting in the indoor yoga room,followed by yoga class and really great Indian food ( Nepalese) for breakfast!! A big plate of rice, veggies and soup and then free time till noon when the bell rings for a short talk about yoga followed by Yoga Nidra- relaxation. Today the talk was about – Be Happy, Be Healthy Be Cheerful ! Lunch is served on the rooftop at 1:30 and consists of fresh fruit, yogurt and a grain- hot cereal yesterday and a strange rice today that I found inedible. Yoga class is again at 4:00, dinner at 6:30 and Kirtan around a fire at 7:30 and lights out at 8:00. Last night I was rather horrified to discover my bed- looks like a bed- smells like a bed – does Not Feel like a bed!!! I barely slept a wink – They say you get used to this- I am not so sure!!
Namaste from Nepal! Annie
Hang in Annie- the path to enlightenment has its ups and downs- Sounds delightful from 20 degrees Rockland Co. especially all that yoga, meditation and Indian FOOD.
Love you, love your great honest writing style. You may have a book in you, I think you are a natural writer.
Yup! I agree with Eve — natural writers — both of you! And of course, you are creating the arena from which you write along with way. Great tactics! ! ! Balloon Man and Blue Frog!
I baked the huge pumpkin and made a pie, but there is enough pumpkin in the freezer for 6 or a dozen more. Thanks! We can have one when you are back. Xxxx