Our new friend , an American from California named Shivani, has taken us under her wing. She runs a charming cafe and we like her food. I feel it is the safest place to eat, next to the restaurant of our first hotel- Palace on the Ganges . That is the place with the Amazing Indian food. But they don’t serve dinner before 7:00 pm and our bed time is 8:00. So, at the moment , we are seated in a recommended place by Trip Advisor but I do not feel good about it.
My view out the entrance, on the second floor is a pile of tires. Old tires – We have had the tummy bug this week which is not surprising. Allynn got it first and my cough from Kathmandu is finally over. So I have been feeling better. Then as soon as Allynn felt better then I came down with the tummy bug. Our friend Shivani recommended a medication which we purchased and all in all our complaints are mild. I have had a sour stomach, loose poop but not killer symptoms. So I also feel sleepy. Which is not the worst thing either. We have made friends with our hotel. And today we are picking up our clean laundry! We are making plans for the next step on our journey. Two days ago I was at the roof cafe on the top of our hotel where I met a lovely American Yogini from Vail Colorado area. We had such a great talk about being in India. She encouraged me to go to Mysore, after being rejected from the Ashanga Institute, and she recounted her experience at the Bahir school of yoga. She and her boyfriend went there together for a week and were each charged $500 a piece for staying at the ashram . And there was a total lack of hospitality. Our Himilayan ashram was half the price with very friendly staff. Anyway, she said India always bites you! You have to give up your ego and your USA entitlement attitude and open your heart for the process of transformation you will encounter here. Good advice! Also, our friend Eve forwarded an article from the NY Times about terrorism against Americans in Thailand. So we are heading to Delhi in a few days and then after a few days there we will fly to Bangalore and get a bus to Mysore- by Christmas I hope. Even tho I am not expecting to get into the Ashanga Institute , there is a nice , small studio there that is half the price where they have Ashtanga! So I may try to make lemonade. From there there are many options in Southern India and we will return north for a yoga conference in March 1-7 in Rishekesh. Anyone want to join us? www.internationalyogafestival.com
Every morning they have a spellbinding ceremony down by the Ganges to honor the rising sun and we try to go. It starts at 5:30 with chanting by a chorus of costumed women then comes the razzle dazzle part with the boys dressed in gold- the fire dancers – which I have described before- it is an Everyday occurrence! Paid for by the town- quite amazing to us and well attended! We have then taken to walking the Ganges, which is always a fascinating site!
We are sorry to be missing all the Christmas festivities and we are hoping you are having fun and I hope for You it is a White Christmas!! Love Annie