India Part 3 is just about over. Sitting in my usual web spot along Main Bazaar road in Paharganj, Delhi, then heading back to my room for what will hopefully be a restful sleep before my flight tomorrow.
Wednesday night, after blogging about my cough, I was up until 2 am because of it. It was awful. And it was accompanied by intense head pressure and sinus pain. Around 1am, I broke down. For once, my Indian tears were not ones of joy or healing, but rather of exhaustion and exasperation. The next morning, I was up at 7:30 to continue packing and go for breakfast. At 10am I had an appointment for a facial with the mother of the kids from Children of the Ganges whose home I had been to a few times. It was wonderful and the steaming part relieved my congestion. Did some last-minute shopping before meeting Swati to go for lunch at her friend's home near her mother's, did some more shopping in Rishikesh market (bought a beautiful yellow sari), went to the ENT (eyes, nose and throat) specialist and found out I had Allergic Bronchitis. Never thought I had allergies, but looks like I do. Got some meds that have helped tremendously. (Still coughing a bit, but nothing like that last few days.) Then we went to Swati's mom's for my final dinner, where we had kitcheri, chai and gujia. I practiced wrapping my sari, and I think I've finally got the hang of it. As I was on my third practice attempt, Swati said: "You're becoming a real Indian woman!" Amit came to pick us up, and once again, 4 of us (with Arnav) piled onto the scooter for the ride home. Farewells to the lovely Gupta family, then up to my room for final packing. With my newly purchased small suitcase, I managed to fit everything in.
By the time I was done packing and coughing, I only fell asleep around 1. Alarm went off at 4:30am, Amit picked me up at 5 and drove me across the bridge to my taxi pickup. Four people on the scooter is much less scary than 2 people with several heavy pieces of luggage! Thought I might topple off the back a few times as we went over bumps, but made it safely to the waiting cab. 40 min drive to Haridwar, where I was catching my train to Delhi. (Much less eventful train adventure than last year, when I couldn't find which train car I was supposed to get into, and ended up having to run alongside the moving train and jump onto the steps, holding onto the side rail for dear life, as someone grabbed hold of my 50 pound suitcase.) Dozed in and out of semi-conscious sleep-dream for most of the 5 hour train ride. Checked into my room around noon, took a short rest, then out for some final purchases. Back to room, final pack, short nap, then out to meet Leo (my Argentinian hang drum playing neighbor from Ananda, who was also in Delhi for the day) and a couple of his friends for dinner.
And just like that, this year's Indian journey once again comes to an end.
India, you continue to stir my body, mind and soul.
You continue to tickle my being.
You continue to open my heart.
You continue to illuminate my path.
You continue to guide me towards new realities, new worlds.
To lead me into divine and magical realms.
I am forever grateful. Thankful.
But now, after 3 years, I feel ready to change the 'you' to 'I'.
I am my own guru, I am my own light, I am my own healer.
I am my own infinite source of Love and Joy.
I AM.
Namaste India, till next time!
Wednesday night, after blogging about my cough, I was up until 2 am because of it. It was awful. And it was accompanied by intense head pressure and sinus pain. Around 1am, I broke down. For once, my Indian tears were not ones of joy or healing, but rather of exhaustion and exasperation. The next morning, I was up at 7:30 to continue packing and go for breakfast. At 10am I had an appointment for a facial with the mother of the kids from Children of the Ganges whose home I had been to a few times. It was wonderful and the steaming part relieved my congestion. Did some last-minute shopping before meeting Swati to go for lunch at her friend's home near her mother's, did some more shopping in Rishikesh market (bought a beautiful yellow sari), went to the ENT (eyes, nose and throat) specialist and found out I had Allergic Bronchitis. Never thought I had allergies, but looks like I do. Got some meds that have helped tremendously. (Still coughing a bit, but nothing like that last few days.) Then we went to Swati's mom's for my final dinner, where we had kitcheri, chai and gujia. I practiced wrapping my sari, and I think I've finally got the hang of it. As I was on my third practice attempt, Swati said: "You're becoming a real Indian woman!" Amit came to pick us up, and once again, 4 of us (with Arnav) piled onto the scooter for the ride home. Farewells to the lovely Gupta family, then up to my room for final packing. With my newly purchased small suitcase, I managed to fit everything in.
By the time I was done packing and coughing, I only fell asleep around 1. Alarm went off at 4:30am, Amit picked me up at 5 and drove me across the bridge to my taxi pickup. Four people on the scooter is much less scary than 2 people with several heavy pieces of luggage! Thought I might topple off the back a few times as we went over bumps, but made it safely to the waiting cab. 40 min drive to Haridwar, where I was catching my train to Delhi. (Much less eventful train adventure than last year, when I couldn't find which train car I was supposed to get into, and ended up having to run alongside the moving train and jump onto the steps, holding onto the side rail for dear life, as someone grabbed hold of my 50 pound suitcase.) Dozed in and out of semi-conscious sleep-dream for most of the 5 hour train ride. Checked into my room around noon, took a short rest, then out for some final purchases. Back to room, final pack, short nap, then out to meet Leo (my Argentinian hang drum playing neighbor from Ananda, who was also in Delhi for the day) and a couple of his friends for dinner.
And just like that, this year's Indian journey once again comes to an end.
India, you continue to stir my body, mind and soul.
You continue to tickle my being.
You continue to open my heart.
You continue to illuminate my path.
You continue to guide me towards new realities, new worlds.
To lead me into divine and magical realms.
I am forever grateful. Thankful.
But now, after 3 years, I feel ready to change the 'you' to 'I'.
I am my own guru, I am my own light, I am my own healer.
I am my own infinite source of Love and Joy.
I AM.
Namaste India, till next time!
Erika, what a beautiful poem at the end of that. I so wish I could have been there on your exhausted, exasperated evening to give you a big hug and commiserate. Especially since it's allergies and not viral so I wouldn't catch anything--ha ha, kidding! That bit was meant to make you smile. Enjoy the trip home and steel yourself for the weather-- I'm wondering what I'm doing here in cold Calgary when I could be in warm Malaysia!
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