Bodh Gaya

Hey all!

We're in Bodh Gaya now!! the buddhist temples are amazing!! it's great city,. small enough to walk around and shop by yourself in the daytime. we are going to the main temple tonight for a meditation sit, should be incredible!! everyone seems to be doing well!! patti just got over a little cold, some are tired from the travels, but we're all just trying to absorb as much as possible! We're off to Patna tomorrow!

~kelly

Rishikesh Rocks

Sorry for not posting before... been sooo busy and no computer access for a few days. I can't begin to try and express everything that has gone on so far. Our trip to Rishikesh yesterday was phenomenal. We left Haridwar around 3pm and drove on our 'deluxe bus' for an hour or so. Martha led us on a chant when we arrived.. Om Namah Shivaya. it was magical. We then were wisked away from the bus staition in rickshaws to the less crowded area. We managed to get 11 people in ours. Winter, Cora, Jane, Amity, Kelly, Martha, Bob, Pete, Harry 'Poter' (one of our guides) and 2 drivers. We then began our own pilgramage to the temple for the evening ganga aarti. It was a beautiful walk with shop lined streets. seemed to have more internet cafes here, wider streets than the bazaar our hotel in Haridwar. We walked over one of the pedestrian bridges to the other side of the Ganges River (WOW) in time to catch a spectacular sunset over the river. It was the first sunset I have seen in India due to the overcast weather. The sun had illuminated the trees and hillside into a beautiful array of autumn colors.. in February. I'll try and post pics later. There were many more westerners here... most likely from the many ashrams in the city. We arrived just in time as the aarti was begining. It was an energetic ceremony Led my this womans spectacular voice that just rang out over the river (ok, amplifiers helpd), tabla and other musical instruments--The younger boys in the group of people (a school perhaps?) were all so so talented. They had such passion in their voices. The ceremony was over all too quickly. India had given us all prayer shawls from Haridwar with Lord Shiva on them. Cora and I manuvered our way to the all powerful Mother Ganges over a man made damn under construction which took some dexterity in the feet (no shoes in the temple, so we were barefoot). I held my shawl in my hands, made a prayer and let my shawl flow in the river. Her waters filling every open space in the fabric of my shawl. I washed my hands and face in the river and tucked my now very blessed shawl back in it's bag for the journey home. What an amazing experience It is really difficult to try and express.

Our minds had been spiritually replenished and now it was time to replenish the stomachs mmmmmm mmm we stopped at restaurant Chotiwala (i think) for tea and snacks. my first garlic naan mmmm so good samosas and other treats. we were fully satisfied and ready for our journey back to the bus and to our hotel in Haridwar.

This experience was really only about 6 hours in the day.... so if you can imagine experiences like this happening ALL DAY... that is what our trip has been like. I hope other will write about our experiences here in Haridwar... there have been some really touching ones health and happiness to all ~kelly

Our first yoga class

Cora is the MOST fantastic teacher! We had a wonderful class this morning, designed to help us recover from jet lag and the fatigue of being in a new place. India (Supera, not the country) gave us all a warm welcome and put everyone at ease. The food is fabulous...so much for hoping to lose a little weight!--Sally

hi from sally king

hey there! i'm in chicago...left MT a day early b/c I don't trust the weather...or the airlines! Soooo I depart Chicago Thursday Feb. 8 and arrive in Delhi Feb. 9 at 9:35 PM American Airlines # 292. Someone will come fetch me in Delhi, right? See you then!--Sally

Replacement Blog

Hi Everybody,

I have had to set up this new blog whch replaces the previous one - sorry my to make you log in all over again!

I'd appreciate if if everyone would post a message so I can see that it's all working. I reposted all the comments from the old blog below.

Much love,
Linda

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cora said...
Hi Y'all!

We're all starting to float in and it's fantastic to start to connect the group together.

Winter and I arrived first and India, Jane and Bonnie came in last night at 1am!

The 2nd shift is a bit jetlagged but all will be well in a day or so.

Just returned from a super fab meal of paper plain dosa - a humongeous paper thin crepe-like yummy thing that we were all oohing and aahing over. of course we finished it all!

We're off to Vrindivan tmw am to see Krishna's birthplace and get a peek at one of the cities that isn't on our list. Sorry to start without the rest of the group, but figured if we are all jetlagged, we might as well sleep on a coach for a few hours and roam Krishna's birthplce in a stupor than sit inside trying to remember our own names!

We will take pics and share with all when we convene on 2/10.

Katie, Kelly and Sujenna arrive this evening and we will be bringing them all to their hotels to settle in for a few hours before loading them on a coach to ride to follow Krishna's footsteps.

What better way than that to begin your immersion into India!

We'll fill in again tmw and keep you all up to date on this amazing journey...

off to bed and sending hugs to all stateside and beyond!

cora
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Wed Feb 07, 11:57:00 PM IST

cora said...
Sally -

re:neti pot
think bottled might be preference for first day or so, and see how you fare. You wouldn't be drinking, so think it would be ok, but for first day or so, check in and see how you feel.

Wouldn't want Delhi belly to affect you.

We, of course are stuffing ourselves to the brim and every meal has our hosts hovering and making sure we have enough to eat! The food is scrumptious, so anticipate some amazing delicacies for your taste buds!

I'm using Grapeseed extract (GSE) and hear it is a life-saver. I have extra in case anyone needs, so don't rush to the store if you haven't picked it up.

cora

Thu Feb 08, 12:03:00 AM IST

Question to Cora and India: neti pot
If I bring a netipot, can I use it with tap water or should I use bottled water? Sally

Posted by Sally Belk King at 3:45 AM 0 comments Links to this post
06 February 2007

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Packing for India
Making a list, checking it twice: yoga mat, yoga block, yoga strap....Pepto Bismol and an open mind! Can't wait to meet all of you in Delhi. Sally

Posted by Sally Belk King at 3:43 AM 0 comments Links to this post

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Sally Belk King said...
Just checking to see if I can do the blog thing....sally king

Tue Feb 06, 03:18:00 AM IST