Escape from Paradise

I am here now in Hardiwar. It was tough getting out of Rishikesh today. I had to take a cab as there were not any autorickshaws, shared vans or busses due to the festival. The ride was interesting it is about a thirty mile stretch and there were people camped out on the road the whole way. The cab driver told me that most of the men coming are farmers and in the agriculture business. They come from all over the country.He said most have probably not ever seen a very white person before. Hence the continued staring and harassment. I found out that the Bum Bum Boolah chant is some sort of empowerment to draw the Shiva energy.I am in an internet cafe now and the owner is doing some sort of ritual on an alter that he has constructed. I think it is Aarti a thanksgiving for the Mother Ganga. He has a bowl of water there also.He is chanting Hindu and it is very nice to the ears.The people in India have such strong spritual roots. This most definitely carries over into the education system. Each morning they have an assembly they where they pray and have a yoga centering time. This was at every school we went to regardless of if it was private/public/government run. This I think is one of the their keys to success that is a strong moral base.Anyway, I think it is more crowded here than it was in Rishikesh and I will be happy to return to Delhi tomorrow. I also found out that the man running the internet shop also is a tutor and one of his students just came in. Tutoring is big business here in India and I will explain more about that later. The first thing they did was pray and I can see that this student has great respect for his teacher. I am going to get out now and take a few pictures of the procession. It has been going on now for hours. I leave tomorrow early at 6:20.By the way I did have a beautiful this morning before I left Rishikesh. I got up very early and had a quiet peaceful walk.
Love,
Mary

A perfect day

Last night the rains came in buckets! It was incredibly beautiful and I had a front row seat. Had to abort my trip out to dinner, but given how much I have been eating I am sure it will do my body no harm to miss meal.Very early this morning I walked a path along the Ganges that has several sandy beach point accesses. I passed a holy man(Sadu I think) that was having a beautiful interaction with a cow. It was the way he was petting and touching the cow-so gentle and loving. Then another Sadu passed me, stopped touched the ground at my feet and said I wish for you a long life. It feels very nice to be surrounded by such peace in a place that because of the Shiva festival feels somewhat like beach week with no females.One thing that has been difficult for me is proper cultural etiquette, for example when I received the blessing today I was not sure if I was supposed to give the holy man some money.There is only so much you can gain from the lonely planet tour book. I have tried asking a few questions here and there but find that my understanding is not so good. After spending some time at the river I went to the yoga class. Not what I am used to but a good class. Had some really great hummus and chapatis for lunch and visited a temple. The temple had many floors with different Gods and Goddesses on each one. Again some etiquette came into play again but I stayed in the moment the best I could. There were lots of people shuffling through.It is interesting some are very receptive to westerners others not so much.I make effort to always speak to women and children, however find it is best to avoid any eye contact with men. When I lay in my bed and look out one of my windows I can see the very top of the temple. I have been looking to purchase some prayer bead here and was determined to buy them from a woman and today succeeded.I have decided to head back to Haridvar tomorrow as the crowd seems to be thickening here and I don't want to take a chance in getting a return cab and missing my train on Wed. am.I am hot and tired-time to rest and recoup. Hopefully no rain and I will make it out to dinner.
Love,
Mary

Hari Om

Last night I had a light dinner and then sat on my balcony and watched the sun set down into the mountains. I thought about the nine hour time difference and wondered what people were doing at home.I stayed out a bit listened to the rushing Ganga and watched many bats flying. I went to sleep with the sound of Hare Krishna chanting and temple bells ringing in the background. Also in the background there was a continual chanting of Bum Bum Boola from massive groups of young adolescent males who are here for the Shiva festival. The best way to describe it is that I feel like I am in the middle of a huge fraternity party. I woke up this morning to the site of monkeys on my balcony and a beautiful sunny day with the Himalayan mountains in the background. Had a nice walk along the Ganges and was greeted with Hari Om by several holy men. Met a nice young woman from California(Eileens age) she was pretty upset about all the harassment and was out to find some more suitable clothing.By this I mean something that would hide her arms etc. We chatted a bit and I hope that I brightened her day-she was very distressed. As annoying as the whole Shiva festival has been it is very interesting to watch with their various worship ways. It has also tested my ability to cultivate Peace in chaos.Today I have seen some families, and some men with their young sons. I have even seen several women decked in orange a refreshing site.The choices for yoga are overwhelming. I found a place and plan to try it tomorrow. It is 3:00 now and very hot out. I am going to retreat to my room now and read about. Probably venture out later for phone calls, some dinner and another sit/dip by the Ganga.By the way the responses and comments mean a great deal to me. Thanks.
Love,
M.