Travels through Gujarat and Rajasthan. A transformative, magical journey.
I am back in Rishikesh. We have some fences to mend, this town and I, and so far Rishikesh is winning. Expectation is a funny thing. We are staying in an ‘upscale’ hotel that is the sister hotel from our last visit. It is not nearly as nice. We have no real closet or place … More Expect Nothing
Rajagiri, Tamil Nadu, India There are some places you visit that appear monochromatic, even boring on the surface. This is especially true if you’ve just come from a city alive with color. I stopped at this piece of ancient history as I was traveling from Tiruvannamalai to Pondicherry. Tiruvannamalai is a destination for many spiritual … More Pretty as a Painting
Day 18 or maybe still 17, could be 19 Over nine hours from New Delhi to London. Half of it spent half sleeping. The other half spent rubbing elbows and thighs with my neighbors; a Sikh with a giant maroon turban and mustache to match on one side and a chubby non-specifically-identified-religion Indian man to … More Time is an Illusion
Day 17 – the end of the end – almost After our rooftop lunch we gather our bags and meet in the lobby. We are leaving behind three more. Fred, Shanthi and MB. Like Rishikesh, it’s sad, but we’re rushed so there’s no time for weepy good-byes. Back on our bus we head to the … More Always Be Prepared
Day 17 – letting go After the Taj Mahal we meet back at our hotel for a farewell rooftop lunch. We can see the minarets from here. Lunch is delicious and rather than spend the time in sadness for our last day together, we are happily distracted by signing cards to all the amazing guides … More Mid-day Musings
Day 17 – Last day on Indian soil. I can take or leave the Taj Mahal. It’s so cliche. One of the first questions I’m asked when I return from India, “Did you go to the Taj Mahal?” This is India to most people. I get it. And a little piece of me resents it. … More Mighty Mahal
Day 16 – …may never end Breakfast with monkeys, backpack with itinerary left behind, one gate at the airport. Now we’re caught up. Our flight to New Delhi is super short, less than an hour. We have been here once, stayed in a hotel that looked promising but left a little to be desired. We’re … More From Gandhi to the Taj Mahal
Day 16 – free time for insights It’s a travel day. After the silliness of the monkeys at breakfast, it’s back to the business of packing, repacking and loading up. Today we say goodbye to Dayalan. He’s staying behind to enjoy the week-long Yoga Festival here in Rishikesh. We’re happy for him, but leaving him, … More The Good, The Bad, The Mirror
Day 16 – let the travel circus begin “There are monkeys everywhere,” Karin announces as we are packing a little before breakfast to prepare for our departure at 10 am. I drop what I’m doing and grab my camera. The monkeys, or baboons, the black faced placid variety in any case, are collecting in a … More Baboons, Bananas and Breakfast
Day 15 continued – And Rishikesh said, “You are done shopping.” As Karin, Dayalan and I head out to shop we try, really, really try, to ignore the approaching grayish-black cloud over the mountain. It won’t be ignored. We shrug it off – ’cause that’ll make it go away – and head down to the river … More Cows Don’t Like Rain Either
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